Bournemouth vs. Cardiff (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Bournemouth will be aiming to extend their lead at the top of the Championship table when they host lowly Cardiff City on Thursday evening.
The Cherries are currently one point ahead of second-place Fulham and four ahead of third-place Blackburn Rovers, having played a game more than both teams.
We say: Bournemouth 2-1 Cardiff City
Bournemouth's win over QPR will have given the Cherries a much-needed confidence boost and they will be keen to build on those three points. Cardiff have shown plenty of fighting spirit under Steve Morison so will be hard to beat, but a lack of match fitness after an enforced break could cost the Bluebirds.
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Bristol City vs. QPR (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Promotion-chasing Queens Park Rangers return to Championship action on Thursday evening looking to end a run of two successive defeats.
While the Hoops are looking to move back into the playoff positions, City are eight places above the relegation zone, albeit with a game in hand.
We say: Bristol City 1-2 Queens Park Rangers
Bristol City will fancy their chances of inflicting another damaging defeat on a QPR side who have suffered back-to-back defeats. However, we are backing the visitors to return to winning ways, potentially by the odd goal in three against opponents who have a tendency to concede late goals at Ashton Gate.
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Nott'm Forest vs. Huddersfield (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Nottingham Forest play host to Huddersfield Town on Thursday evening looking to bounce back from their defeat at promotion rivals Middlesbrough on Boxing Day.
At a time when Forest were suffering a rare defeat under Steve Cooper, Huddersfield came from behind to defeat Blackpool to move back into the playoff positions.
We say: Nottingham Forest 2-1 Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield will sense an opportunity to fully ensure that the tables have turned in the race for the playoffs. However, we feel that Forest will be able to shake off the disappointment at the Riverside Stadium by claiming a hard-fought victory at the City Ground.
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Stoke vs. Derby (Thursday, 7.45pm)
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Stoke City are scheduled to end a 19-day wait for a game on Thursday evening when they play host to Derby County.
The Potters now sit in eighth position in the Championship standings, albeit with matches in hand, while opponents Derby head into this fixture on the back of a superb victory over West Bromwich Albion last time out.
We say: Stoke City 1-1 Derby County
Regardless of the three-day turnaround, Derby should only benefit from taking on a team without match practice. All things considered, however, everything points to this contest ending in a low-scoring draw, a result which would not suit either club.
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Matt Law
