Southampton vs. Plymouth (Friday, 6.00pm)
© Reuters
Southampton play host to Plymouth Argyle on Friday evening looking to further close the gap on second-placed Ipswich Town.
At a time when the Saints sit in third position in the Championship table, Plymouth currently occupy 16th spot after a four-game undefeated streak of their own.
We say: Southampton 4-1 Plymouth Argyle
With Plymouth having collected points in their recent matches, the pressure is off to a certain extent. However, Southampton look unbeatable at present and while we expect the visitors to be competitive for a time, the home side should eventually cruise to victory.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Birmingham vs. Bristol City (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Looking to bounce back from a Boxing Day horror show in the Second City, Birmingham City will welcome an in-form Bristol City side to St Andrew's on Friday night in the Championship.
Blues produced a limp display last time out and Midlands rivals Stoke City took full advantage, while the Robins were in the festive spirit in Hertfordshire, handsomely beating Watford on their own patch.
We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Bristol City
Birmingham's defence has been the leakiest in the Championship since Rooney took charge, and with injuries meaning that they cannot immediately change the personnel in their backline, it could be another scary watch for Bluenoses on Friday.
Bristol City will be full of confidence as they head to St Andrew's following their Vicarage Road romp, and although we do not believe that the scoreline will be as convincing, we expect the Robins to earn maximum points once again.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Cardiff vs. Leicester (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Aiming to increase their lead at the head of the Championship standings, second-tier pacesetters Leicester City will travel to South Wales to face Cardiff City on Friday night.
The Foxes' winning run was scuppered by a last-minute Ipswich Town equaliser on Boxing Day, whereas Cardiff were forced to settle for a point against managerless Plymouth Argyle.
We say: Cardiff City 0-2 Leicester City
Cardiff produced their best performance in a number of weeks against Plymouth last time out, but a test against the league leaders may prove too much for the Bluebirds.
Leicester will be desperate to return to winning ways following Ipswich's added-time equaliser on Boxing Day, and we believe that the Foxes will be the convincing victors in South Wales.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Coventry vs. Swansea (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Looking to continue their rise towards the playoff places in the Championship, Coventry City will welcome managerless Swansea City to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Friday night.
The Sky Blues eased past relegation-threatened Sheffield Wednesday in the East Midlands on Boxing Day, while the Swans were demolished on the South Coast by Southampton.
We say: Coventry City 2-1 Swansea City
Coventry have found their rhythm during the festive period and will be confident of recording back-to-back home successes at the end of the calendar year.
Swansea are in dire need of some direction as they continue to operate without a permanent manager, and we feel that the Welsh side will lose on the road once again.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Huddersfield vs. Middlesbrough (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Huddersfield Town play host to Middlesbrough on Friday evening looking for the win that will see them move further clear of the Championship relegation zone.
At a time when the Terriers occupy 21st place in the standings, Middlesbrough are down in 14th and at risk of dropping out of the race for the playoffs.
We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Middlesbrough
In a game between two managers who will feel under similar pressures, this game should be tightly contested. Either team could edge it, but we feel that a low-scoring draw is the most likely outcome.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Hull City vs. Blackburn (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Snapping disheartening losing streaks will be on the agenda for Hull City and Blackburn Rovers on Friday night, as the Championship counterparts square off in their final second-tier fixture of 2023 at the MKM Stadium.
Liam Rosenior's outfit slumped to a 1-0 loss to Sunderland in their most recent affair, while the visitors were condemned to a humbling 3-0 beating away to Huddersfield Town.
We say: Hull City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Confidence is in limited supply in both camps at the minute, but given Blackburn's ongoing defensive frailties on the road, the Tigers of Hull ought to rediscover their offensive bite on home turf.
The hosts made hard work of their success over a 10-man Blackburn side in August, and while Tomasson's men should avoid a repeat of their Huddersfield humbling, we have faith in Hull to get their playoff charge back on track.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Ipswich vs. QPR (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Championship title-chasers Ipswich Town will endeavour to break a miserable three-game winless streak when Queens Park Rangers travel to Portman Road for a Friday night battle.
Kieran McKenna's men drew 1-1 with Leicester City in their recent top-of-the-table showdown, while their visitors were comfortably dispatched 2-0 by Millwall at The Den.
We say: Ipswich Town 2-0 Queens Park Rangers
Not since Roy Keane was at the Portman Road helm in 2009-10 have Ipswich done the double over QPR, but the free-scoring Tractor Boys should not pass up this golden chance to reignite their title bid.
Defensive discipline has not come naturally to McKenna's troops this term, but with Cifuentes's off-colour QPR struggling to find their shooting boots, a convincing Tractor Boys success is the only outcome we can envisage.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Millwall vs. Norwich (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Norwich City will be bidding to return to winning ways in the Championship when they travel to lowly Millwall on Friday evening.
The visitors, who are 12th in the Championship table, will enter the contest off the back of a 1-0 loss at West Bromwich Albion, while 20th-placed Millwall beat Queens Park Rangers 2-0 last time out.
We say: Millwall 1-2 Norwich City
Millwall will bring a three-game unbeaten run into this match, while Norwich suffered a defeat last time out, but we are expecting the away side to triumph here considering their quality in the forward positions.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Preston vs. Sheff Weds (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
On the back of a frenetic triumph over Leeds United, Preston North End seek back-to-back Championship victories when Sheffield Wednesday head to Deepdale on Friday night.
Ryan Lowe's men overcame the 10-man Whites 2-1 in the early Boxing Day kickoff, while the Owls were seen off 2-0 by Coventry City.
We say: Preston North End 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Weakened by Paterson's injury and Diaby's suspension, a Sheffield Wednesday side who were already struggling to make waves on the road are destined to endure another miserable away day on Friday.
Despite their recent inconsistency, Preston could also enjoy the belated Christmas gift of a first home clean sheet of the 2023-24 season, and potentially a surge back into the playoff spots if other results go in their favour.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Rotherham vs. Sunderland (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Both aiming to build on slender Boxing Day victories, relegation-threatened Rotherham United and playoff hopefuls Sunderland play their final Championship fixture of 2023 at the New York Stadium on Friday.
The Millers somehow emerged victorious from the visit of Middlesbrough on December 26, prevailing by a goal to nil, while the Black Cats saw off Hull City by the same scoreline.
We say: Rotherham United 0-1 Sunderland
Rotherham rode their luck and then some against Middlesbrough, although credit where credit is due to the Millers' defensive diligence, and Sunderland did not exactly blow Hull away either.
Another cruel injury blow to Dack was not on the Black Cats' bingo card either, and a goal-laden affair should be the last thing on the menu at the New York Stadium, but we still expect Beale to march to his second successive win and give Rotherham a harsh reality check.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Watford vs. Stoke (Friday, 7.45pm)
© Reuters
Watford head into Friday's Championship fixture against Stoke City looking for the win that would see them keep pace with the other teams competing for the playoff spots.
While the Hornets currently sit in ninth position in the standings, Stoke have recently moved into 18th spot with a new manager at the helm.
We say: Watford 1-1 Stoke City
On the back of the results on Boxing Day, momentum has shifted into Stoke's favour. However, we cannot ignore Watford's previous form, leading us to back the home side to earn a share of the spoils against the improving Potters.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
West Brom vs. Leeds (Friday, 8.15pm)
© Reuters
Fourth will do battle with fifth at The Hawthorns on Friday night, with Leeds United travelling to face West Bromwich Albion to conclude their Championship fixtures in 2023.
The Baggies were narrow victors over Norwich City in the Black Country on Boxing Day, while the Whites lost crucial ground in the top-two race following an eventful afternoon at Preston North End.
We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-2 Leeds United
West Brom were able to control a Norwich side who looked to camp in with 10 men on Boxing Day, but Leeds will pose a different challenge in this one.
The Whites will be desperate to respond following an off day at Preston, and we feel that Farke's men will share the spoils at The Hawthorns after an exciting contest.
