Watford vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 12.30pm)
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Watford will host Nottingham Forest in the Championship on Saturday lunchtime hoping to move into the automatic promotion places for the first time since early November.
Meanwhile, Forest have won four away league games so far in 2021, one more than they managed in 21 away matches in 2020.
We say: Watford 2-0 Nottingham Forest
December's 0-0 draw between Watford and Forest saw just one shot on target in the whole match, so the two teams will be hoping that this weekend's game will be a much more entertaining encounter.
Forest were able to frustrate the Hornets last time out, but we can see Xisco's men claiming all three points on Saturday and putting more pressure on both Brentford and Swansea, who are also vying for a top-two spot.
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Bristol City vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Bristol City will host Queens Park Rangers in the Championship on Saturday afternoon, with both sides heading into the match after midweek home defeats.
The Robins have won each of their last four home games against QPR, scoring two goals on each occasion, while the Hoops travel to Ashton Gate having picked up just one point from their last three matches.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
Despite narrowly losing on Wednesday night, Bristol City have shown signs of improvement under Pearson and will fancy their chances of claiming three points against a QPR side looking to avoid three successive league defeats.
The Hoops have struggled in recent seasons against the Robins, and we expect the hosts to secure another victory against them at Ashton Gate this weekend.
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Barnsley vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Barnsley play host to Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their six-match winning streak in the Championship.
While the Tykes have moved into contention for the playoffs, Blues remain just three points above the drop zone despite collecting seven points from four games.
We say: Barnsley 2-0 Birmingham City
Birmingham have performed better against the top sides this season, something which will only encourage them ahead of their trip to Oakwell. However, we are backing the home team to continue collecting maximum points, keeping a clean sheet in the process.
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Millwall vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Blackburn Rovers will be looking to break a run of seven games without a win on Saturday, when they travel to The Den to take on Gary Rowett's Millwall.
The hosts have enjoyed a solid recent run having suffered just one defeat in their last 11 league games, seeing them move up to 10th in the Championship table, while Tony Mowbray's side have fallen to 15th spot.
We say: Millwall 1-0 Blackburn Rovers
Millwall have proven to be extremely difficult to beat at The Den this campaign, and that coupled with the poor form of Blackburn should result in another win for the London outfit.
Their tight defensive structure should see them to another narrow victory, as the Lions continue their impressive rise up the Championship table.
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Coventry vs. Derby (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Coventry City and Derby County meet at St Andrew's on Saturday afternoon with just three points separating the teams in the Championship standings.
The home side, who occupy 20th position, sit just three points above the relegation zone, while the Rams remain in trouble after their heavy defeat at Cardiff City on Tuesday night.
We say: Coventry City 1-1 Derby County
Wary of Rotherham's games in hand, do not expect this encounter to be packed with action at either end. With that in mind, we are backing a low-scoring draw between two clubs who will not want to end the week without an extra point on the board.
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Swansea vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Swansea City welcome Neil Warnock's Middlesbrough to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday, as the Swans look to break into the top two of the Championship table.
Steve Cooper's side kept pace with the teams at the top of a table thanks to an added-time penalty against Stoke City on Wednesday night, while Middlesbrough got back to winning ways by beating Coventry City 2-1 on Tuesday.
We say: Swansea City 2-1 Middlesbrough
While Warnock does know how to coach a resilient defensive outfit, we see his Middlesbrough side being outclassed by the Swans on Saturday.
The return of Hourihane and Bidwell should strengthen Cooper's side, inspiring them to another crucial victory as they look to break into the automatic promotion spots.
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Reading vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Darren Moore will take charge of his second game as Sheffield Wednesday manager on Saturday, as his side travel to the Madejski Stadium to take on Reading.
The hosts currently sit in fifth spot in the Championship table due to two consecutive wins, while Wednesday fell to a disappointing defeat in a South Yorkshire derby against Rotherham United, moving them further from safety.
We say: Reading 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
While the Owls will be desperate for their first win under Darren Moore, we see them being outclassed by Reading who are determined to keep their place in the playoffs.
Their dangerous attacking players should create plenty of problems for a Wednesday defence that has been struck by injuries, and we predict a third consecutive victory for the Royals here.
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Preston vs. Bournemouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Bournemouth will be looking to record a third consecutive victory on Saturday when they travel to Deepdale to take on Preston North End.
Jonathan Woodgate's side have enjoyed an upturn in form recently, which has seen them keep their sixth spot in the Championship table, but their playoff place remains under major threat from the chasing pack.
We say: Preston North End 0-2 Bournemouth
We expect the Cherries to secure a third consecutive win on Saturday as they look to strengthen their bid for a playoff place.
Preston have majorly struggled with injuries recently, and their weakened side should be outclassed by Woodgate's men, who come in with plenty of renewed confidence.
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Stoke vs. Wycombe (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Stoke City square off against Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday afternoon having dropped out of the Championship playoff race courtesy of three successive losses.
Meanwhile, Wycombe now sit 12 points away from safety after back-to-back defeats, putting the pressure on the visitors to gain maximum points at the bet365 Stadium.
We say: Stoke City 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers
While both clubs will be wary of yet another defeat, there will also be an acknowledgement that a draw does not help either side. With that in mind, we expect an entertaining clash in the Potteries, one which could end with Stoke edging the contest by the odd goal in three.
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Brentford vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Promotion-chasing Brentford square off against Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon having lost four of their last six Championship fixtures.
Despite remaining in the relegation zone, the Millers head into this encounter sitting just three points adrift of safety with two games in hand.
We say: Brentford 2-1 Rotherham United
After their dramatic win in midweek, Rotherham will feel that some pressure has been lifted ahead of the contest in the capital. Nevertheless, we are backing Brentford to get over the line in a close match, potentially during the latter stages when they will be aware that they can ill-afford many more dropped points.
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Norwich vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
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Championship leaders Norwich City host Luton Town on Saturday afternoon for the first time since 2006 and will be looking to consolidate their place at the summit with another victory at Carrow Road.
The Hatters, meanwhile, have picked up seven points from their last three matches and having already beaten the Canaries earlier this campaign, will be hoping to cause another upset this weekend.
We say: Norwich City 2-0 Luton Town
The resilient form of Norwich has put them in a very strong position to clinch promotion to the top flight and even though Luton have improved in recent weeks, we expect the home side to have learnt from their last meeting with the Hatters, and they should have enough quality to secure another three points.
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Barney Corkhill
