Bristol City vs. Blackpool (Saturday, 12.30pm)
© Reuters
Bristol City play host to Blackpool on Saturday afternoon knowing that they realistically require a victory to remain as outsiders for a Championship playoff spot.
At a time when the Robins sit in 13th spot in the standings, 10 points adrift of the top six, Blackpool are 22nd and six points away from safety.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Blackpool
With Blackpool encouraged by holding the runaway leaders, this should prove to be a closer match than many may anticipate. Nevertheless, Bristol City have generally performed well since the turn of the year, and we see the home side edging this contest by the odd goal in three.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Birmingham vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Birmingham City will be looking to record their first win in six matches when they welcome Rotherham United to St Andrew's in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
Blues earned a point at Wigan Athletic last time out to halt a worrying run of defeats, whereas Rotherham were the latest side to take advantage of a free-falling Queens Park Rangers.
We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Rotherham United
Birmingham have not been convincing in their performances for a long time, with their good early-season form the reason why they are not in more danger at the foot of the Championship.
Despite a lack of options in defence, the Millers have shown enough quality to survive at this level and should be confident of earning a point at St Andrew's on Saturday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Burnley vs. Wigan (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Burnley play host to Wigan Athletic on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which will take the club a step closer to promotion to the Premier League.
At a time when the Clarets hold a 17-point lead over third position in the Championship standings, the visitors are bottom and six points adrift of safety.
We say: Burnley 2-0 Wigan Athletic
With Wigan having tightened things up at the back under Maloney, they will have the mindset that they can earn a surprise result at Turf Moor. Nevertheless, no team is yet to beat Burnley as the away side this campaign, and we do not expect that to start at the weekend.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Coventry vs. Hull City (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Coventry City will be hoping to continue their assault on the Championship playoff positions when they host Hull City at The Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon.
A drastic upturn in form for the Sky Blues has left them within striking distance of the top six, whereas Hull will be looking to record back-to-back wins as they aim for a top-half finish.
We say: Coventry City 2-0 Hull City
With the season reaching its business end, Coventry are firmly in the playoff race and will be aiming for all three points against Hull on Saturday to potentially move into seventh.
Rosenior's Tigers were rewarded for a resolute display against West Brom a week ago, but we see the dangerous Gyokeres firing the Sky Blues to the win in this one.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Preston vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Preston North End square off against Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten run in the Championship to six matches.
While the home side currently occupy 12th position in the standings, Cardiff sit six points above the relegation zone despite being in 21st spot.
We say: Preston North End 1-1 Cardiff City
Given Cardiff's recent improvements, Preston need a win on Saturday far more than the visitors. With that in mind, we feel that the Bluebirds may settle for a point should the opportunity arise, something which appears possible with Preston's recent run of stalemates.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
QPR vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Following his appointment on Tuesday, Chris Wilder's tenure as Watford manager will begin with a trip to take on Queens Park Rangers on Saturday.
The visitors dismissed Slaven Bilic with the side sat 10th in the Championship table, while Gareth Ainsworth is also still searching for a first win after recently taking over at Loftus Road.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Watford
Queens Park Rangers are devoid of any confidence or momentum at present, while Watford still boast plenty of quality and will hope to have a boost under their new manager that the hosts have not experienced thus far.
We fancy the Hornets to come out on top at Loftus Road with the need for a run to climb back towards the top six.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Reading vs. Millwall (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Reading will be looking to avoid three-straight defeats when they welcome Millwall to the Select Car Leasing Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
A poor recent run of form is seeing the Royals' season fizzle out into mid-table mediocrity, whereas Millwall are embroiled in a fierce battle for a playoff position despite losing last time out.
We say: Reading 0-1 Millwall
News of Reading's imminent six-point deduction has appeared to have distracted the playing staff, and the visit of a strong Millwall side is not an occasion to have the focus elsewhere.
The Lions put in a valiant effort despite defeat against Norwich last Saturday, and they should be able to return to winning ways in Berkshire as the playoff race intensifies.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Sheff Utd vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Two sides fighting at the top end of the Championship table will do battle in a crucial encounter at Bramall Lane on Saturday, as Sheffield United entertain Luton Town.
A victory away at Reading last time out saw the hosts move seven points clear of third place in the fight for automatic promotion, while their visitors remain fifth having won two of their last three league games.
We say: Sheffield United 2-1 Luton Town
Sheffield United do face a tough test on Saturday, but with renewed confidence from restoring their seven-point lead with an away win last time out, we fancy them to come out on top at Bramall Lane.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Swansea vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Middlesbrough make the long trip to Swansea City looking for the win which will keep the club in the race for automatic promotion.
At a time when the visitors sit seven points adrift of second position, Swansea are all the way down in 17th spot in the Championship standings.
We say: Swansea City 1-3 Middlesbrough
Martin knows that another win needs to be recorded sooner rather than later, and his team may relish the tag of underdogs for this contest. Nevertheless, Middlesbrough have been the clear stand-out team in front of goal since Carrick's appointment, and we expect that to continue on Saturday.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
West Brom vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
West Bromwich Albion will be looking to record back-to-back wins in the Championship when they host relegation-threatened Huddersfield Town at The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies kept their playoff hopes alive with a win over Wigan Athletic on Tuesday night, whereas the Terriers are embroiled in a battle to maintain their second-tier status under new management.
We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Huddersfield Town
Although West Brom did not rack up the goals against Wigan on Tuesday, their display - for the most part - was commanding, and they should be confident of beating a Huddersfield side who have conceded seven goals in their last two away outings.
The Terriers will need to be at their best defensively to earn anything out of their trip to The Hawthorns, with back-to-back clean sheets for Warnock's men seeming very unlikely.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
