Blackpool vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Blackpool will be looking to record their first victory under the management of Mick McCarthy when they host Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
The Seasiders secured a dramatic point in the week against fellow strugglers Huddersfield Town, whereas Rotherham are currently on a run of three games unbeaten.
We say: Blackpool 1-1 Rotherham United
Blackpool boss McCarthy has labelled this pair of fixtures against Huddersfield and Rotherham as season-defining matches, so the pressure is on his players to earn maximum points at home on Saturday.
Rotherham will perhaps be in a less dramatic mood as they head to the seaside this weekend, although this is a game they can not afford to let a relegation rival be victorious in.
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Bristol City vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Bristol City play host to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to move within three points of their opponents in the Championship standings.
That is despite seven positions separating the two clubs, with Norwich currently sitting just two points adrift of the playoff places.
We say: Bristol City 1-1 Norwich City
Earlier in this season, this may have been regarded as an away banker, but times have changed. Although Norwich have shown promise under Wagner, they are facing a team playing with confidence, and we expect a competitive draw to occur at Ashton Gate.
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Burnley vs. Preston (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Burnley will be looking to take the next step towards Championship promotion when they play host to neighbours Preston North End on Saturday afternoon.
At a time when the Clarets sit 17 points clear of the automatic promotion places, Preston are 11th in the standings despite a poor run of form.
We say: Burnley 3-0 Preston North End
Unless Preston pull off the performance of the current Championship campaign, this should be one-way traffic. Although Burnley were not at their best in midweek, they have generally been relentless at Turf Moor, giving us every confidence that they will prevail with minimal fuss.
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Cardiff vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Cardiff City will continue the search for their first win under new manager Sabri Lamouchi when they host Middlesbrough in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.
The two sides are enduring differing campaigns, with the Bluebirds set for a relegation battle, whereas Boro are aiming to finish in a top-six position by the end of the season.
We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Middlesbrough
Cardiff are still searching for their maiden victory under Lamouchi and now face a tricky test against an in-form Middlesbrough side.
Boro will be looking to cement their place in the playoffs this weekend and will fancy their chances against a Cardiff side yet to get firing under their new management.
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Coventry vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Luton Town travel to Coventry City on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which will further strengthen their hold of a Championship playoff spot.
While the Hatters currently sit in fourth position in the standings, Coventry are down in 15th spot, 10 points adrift of their upcoming opponents.
We say: Coventry City 1-1 Luton Town
Having been stunned by Grimsby in the FA Cup, Luton's season could now go several ways. For now, though, Edwards will want to steady the ship, and we feel that the visitors will be more than content with a point if it becomes a possibility on Saturday.
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QPR vs. Millwall (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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The two London-based teams in the Championship will lock horns on Saturday afternoon when Queens Park Rangers play host to Millwall at Loftus Road.
While the R's are seeking to avoid a fifth straight home match without a win, the Lions are looking to claim back-to-back away victories for the first time this season.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Millwall
Both teams will be keen to claim all three points on Saturday as they bid to boost their chances of securing a Championship playoff spot.
A tight affair is to be expected at Loftus Road, but we feel that Millwall will just edge it to pick up their first away win against QPR for 34 years.
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Sheff Utd vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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On the back of their FA Cup fourth-round replay victory over Wrexham on Tuesday, Sheffield United will aim to make a return to winning ways and strengthen their position at the top end of the Championship table on Saturday, when they welcome Swansea City to Bramall Lane.
The Blades could only add a point to their tally away at Rotherham United in their last league outing, while their visitors lost a dramatic contest against Birmingham City last time out and dropped into the bottom half as a result.
We say: Sheffield United 2-0 Swansea City
Back on home turf and with the desire to bounce back from last week's stalemate, we see the Blades having more than enough quality to get past Swansea on Saturday and put three more points on the board at Bramall Lane.
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Stoke vs. Hull City (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Stoke City play host to Hull City on Saturday afternoon knowing that they need wins on the board to move away from the Championship relegation zone.
At a time when the Potters occupy 19th spot in the standings, a resurgent Hull are now 12th, just four points adrift of the playoffs.
We say: Stoke City 1-1 Hull City
With Hull now in a position where they can attack the playoffs, Rosenior will not be settling for a point on away territory. Nevertheless, Stoke may have to battle hard to earn a share of the spoils, something we feel that they can pull off in the Potteries.
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Sunderland vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Sunderland will be looking to move into the playoff positions with a win over Reading at the Stadium of Light on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.
The Black Cats were in action midweek as they bowed out of the FA Cup, whereas the Royals had a full week to recover from a frantic encounter with Watford last time out.
We say: Sunderland 3-0 Reading
Although ultimately unsuccessful against Fulham on Wednesday night, Sunderland's attackers caused their Premier League opponents plenty of problems and should be able to cause Reading even more.
The Royals have a host of fitness doubts hanging over their squad ahead of this match, and they could be blown away by a dangerous Sunderland side on Saturday.
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Watford vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Watford and Blackburn Rovers will be looking to boost their Championship playoff hopes when they square off at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Just one point separates the two clubs in the standings, Watford occupying fifth spot and Blackburn in seventh having played a game fewer than their hosts.
We say: Watford 2-1 Blackburn Rovers
Despite their respective league positions, these clubs are just two of many inconsistent teams in the division. While a result is difficult to call, we have to go with the home side, who may be prepared to be more adventurous in the final third.
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Wigan vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Two of the Championship's bottom-three sides meet at the DW Stadium on Saturday afternoon as Wigan Athletic clash with Huddersfield Town in a relegation six-pointer.
Wigan are winless since November and have collected just two league points in 2023, whereas Huddersfield are themselves without a victory in the new calendar year.
We say: Wigan Athletic 1-0 Huddersfield Town
Despite only managing a point at Blackburn, Wigan looked an improved side under Maloney and will be confident in building on that clean sheet when they face a relegation rival this Saturday.
Huddersfield are in further turmoil after sacking Fotheringham in the build up to this match, and we feel it would be a surprise to see the Terriers earn anything from their trip to the DW this weekend.
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Barney Corkhill
