© Imago
Aiming to avoid back-to-back defeats for the first time under the reign of Frank Lampard, Coventry City will welcome top-two chasing Burnley to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon for a Championship battle.
The Sky Blues were brought back down to Earth by a humbling defeat at Sheffield United last week, whilst the Clarets continued their march to the Premier League with a home success over Bristol City.
We say: Coventry City 1-1 Burnley
After consecutive away defeats in March, Coventry are back at their East Midlands home, where they have only lost once in the Championship since Lampard’s appointment in November.
However, Burnley will be on hand to provide one of the sternest second-tier tests possible to the Sky Blues, who would be pleased to force a share of the spoils.
> Championship preview: Coventry vs Burnley
© Imago
Two teams fighting at opposite ends of the table will face off when Luton Town welcome Leeds United to Kenilworth Road for Saturday’s Championship fixture.
The Hatters are languishing in the bottom three, while the visitors head into the weekend in second place in the Championship table.
We say: Luton Town 1-1 Leeds United
Leeds will be desperate to return to winning ways after drawing their last two matches, but we think they will have to settle for a point when they face a Luton side that are rejuvenated after losing just one of their previous five matches.
> Championship preview: Luton vs Leeds
© Imago
On a mission to record a much-needed Black Country victory, West Bromwich Albion will welcome fellow playoff occupiers Sunderland to The Hawthorns for a Championship match on Saturday afternoon.
The Baggies ended March with a heartbreaking defeat at the base of Norwich City last time out, whereas the Black Cats recorded a narrow North-East success over Millwall.
We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Sunderland
With a top-six finish essentially secured, Sunderland could take their foot off the gas as they face playoff hopefuls West Brom this weekend.
The Baggies will be desperate to make amends following their last-gasp defeat at Norwich, and we feel that the hosts will record a narrow success at The Hawthorns.
> Championship preview: West Brom vs Sunderland
© Imago
Two teams eyeing up playoff positions in the Championship face off this weekend, when Bristol City host Watford on Saturday afternoon.
The hosts are currently four points clear of the Hornets in the standings heading into this match, so there is plenty at stake for both sides this weekend.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Watford
The hosts have been excellent at home this season, and we expect them to edge a close game this weekend.
With playoff dreams on the line for both clubs, it should be an entertaining match, and as Watford do not win many away from home, we think that Bristol City will claim all three points here.
> Championship preview: Bristol City vs Watford
© Imago
Portsmouth will look to claim back-to-back victories when they travel to the Den for Saturday’s Championship clash with Millwall.
Pompey are sitting in 17th place in the Championship standings, while the Lions are six points better off in 13th position.
We say: Millwall 2-1 Portsmouth
Millwall have tended to fare well in meetings with Portsmouth, and we think they will claim a sixth consecutive head-to-head victory by making full use of home advantage to record a narrow win in Saturday’s contest.
> Championship preview: Millwall vs Portsmouth
© Imago
Sheffield United will continue their promotion push when they travel to the Kassam Stadium for Saturday’s meeting with relegation-threatened Oxford United.
The U’s head into the weekend in 19th position, while the Blades are sitting top of the Championship standings with seven matches left to play.
We say: Oxford United 0-2 Sheffield United
Sheffield United have been in imperious form in recent times, dropping just two points from their last five league games, as well as winning each of their previous six away matches.
As a result, we think the Blades will continue to build momentum by outclassing their relegation-threatened opponents at the weekend.
> Championship preview: Oxford Utd vs Sheff Utd
© Imago
Plymouth Argyle host Norwich City this weekend, with the Pilgrims desperately needing the three points in their bid to survive relegation from the Championship.
With seven games remaining, the hosts are seven points adrift of safety, and they are currently rooted to the bottom of the Championship table.
We say: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Norwich City
Despite a slight improvement in recent weeks, it is difficult to see the hosts winning this one.
Norwich have plenty of strength in attack, and Plymouth’s defence is the most generous in the division, so we only see this match going one way.
> Championship preview: Plymouth vs Norwich
© Imago
Aiming to bounce back at the conclusion of a difficult seven-day period, Preston North End will welcome relegation-threatened Stoke City to Deepdale for a Championship battle on Saturday afternoon.
The Lilywhites have suffered both FA Cup and second-tier losses since returning from the March international break, whereas the Potters are on course to build up some positive momentum.
We say: Preston North End 2-1 Stoke City
Last losing a Championship home contest in early November, Preston should be confident of earning a positive result on Saturday despite back-to-back defeats over the past week.
Stoke were excellent at their own place last Saturday but have been notoriously poor on the road recently, and we are envisaging another tough away afternoon for the Potters in this one.
> Championship preview: Preston vs Stoke
© Imago
Cardiff City travel to the English capital this weekend to take on Queens Park Rangers, as they continue their bid to avoid the drop in the Championship.
The Bluebirds fell into the relegation zone in midweek, as Derby County beat Preston North End to leapfrog both Cardiff and Hull City in the standings.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Cardiff City
Both sides would love to be able to claim all three points this weekend in what should be an intriguing clash near the bottom of the Championship.
However, with the stakes so high, we can see this being a cagey match that ends in a draw, which will not really suit either team.
> Championship preview: QPR vs Cardiff
© Imago
Sheffield Wednesday will welcome Hull City to Hillsborough on Saturday for an important game at both ends of the Championship table.
The hosts narrowed their gap to the playoff places to five points at the weekend despite only drawing away from home, while their visitors now sit just one point above the relegation zone following a defeat on Saturday.
We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Hull City
Saturday’s contest promises to be a hard-fought one between two sides desperate for three points, and we back Sheffield Wednesday to end their poor run of form at Hillsborough and come out on top with the chance to move within touching distance of the playoffs.
> Championship preview: Sheff Weds vs Hull City
© Imago
Two teams looking to secure survival will lock horns when Swansea City welcome Derby County to the Swansea.com Stadium for Saturday’s Championship encounter.
The Rams are sitting one point above the drop zone in 20th position, while the Swans are four points better off in 16th place in the standings.
We say: Swansea City 1-1 Derby County
Derby may be full of confidence after winning four games in a row, but they have won just two of their 19 away league matches this season, and with that in mind, we think they will have to be content with a point when they travel to the Swansea.com Stadium.
> Championship preview: Swansea vs Derby
