Saturday's Championship predictions including Leicester City vs. Middlesbrough

Plymouth vs. Leeds (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Aiming to strengthen their position in second spot in the Championship table in the fight for automatic promotion, Leeds United will travel to Home Park on Saturday to take on Plymouth Argyle.

Thanks to a run of seven straight league wins, the visitors sit two points ahead of third-placed Southampton, while their hosts climbed up to 15th spot with a midweek draw amidst a pleasing run of their own.

We say: Plymouth Argyle 0-2 Leeds United

Home Park is certainly a tough place to visit, but Leeds United did prevail in an eventual 4-1 win on the South Coast when the sides met in the FA Cup earlier this month, and with a full-strength starting XI and plenty of momentum on their side, we fancy Farke's men to come out on top again.

Birmingham vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two months on from being relieved of his duties at the Stadium of Light, Tony Mowbray will take charge of Birmingham City as they face Sunderland at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Saturday in the Championship.

Blues recorded a much-needed victory over Blackburn Rovers on Tuesday night, whereas the Black Cats were unable to collect any points from their midweek trip to Huddersfield Town.

We say: Birmingham City 2-1 Sunderland

St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park is set to be sold out for the first time in five years, with Saturday possessing all the characteristics of an enjoyable day for Birmingham fans.

Sunderland will improve from their showing at Huddersfield in midweek, however we feel that it will not be enough for a result on the weekend.

Bristol City vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Bristol City play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking to win their third successive match in the Championship.

At a time when the Robins sit in 11th position in the standings, QPR remain four points adrift from safety in the relegation zone.

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Losing narrowly at Stoke is unlikely to significantly dent QPR's confidence heading into this fixture. On the flip side, though, Bristol City are growing in belief, and we feel that the Robins will do enough to edge this contest by the odd goal in three.

Huddersfield vs. Hull City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Hull City will make the trip across Yorkshire to take on Huddersfield Town on Saturday in a game of major importance in the fight at both ends of the Championship table.

Just 14 points separate the sides in England's second tier, but the visitors only trail the playoff places on goal difference while the hosts have only recently built up a healthy lead over the relegation zone.

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Hull City

Hull City have certainly enjoyed the better season of the two sides thus far and do boast a stronger squad on the whole, but this Huddersfield Town side is certainly galvanising and looks improved under Worthington in their bid to move further clear of the drop.

As a result, we cannot quite pick a winner and see a share of the points as the most likely outcome at the John Smith's Stadium.

Leicester vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Leicester City will be looking to record a fifth successive victory in the Championship when they play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon.

The league leaders currently head the standings by 12 points at a time when Boro are down in 13th position and without a win in four games.

We say: Leicester City 2-0 Middlesbrough

While there is an argument that Middlesbrough may benefit from playing opponents they are not expected to beat, this fixture still comes at the wrong time for Carrick's side. We expect Leicester to do as they are expected to, prevail once again and with a clean sheet in tact.

Millwall vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both searching for three crucial points in the fight at the bottom of the Championship table, Millwall and Sheffield Wednesday will do battle at The Den on Saturday.

Having both suffered midweek defeats, the visitors sit 23rd in England's second tier, seven points adrift of their hosts in 21st spot.

We say: Millwall 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday

In a pivotal game for both teams' survival bids this season, we anticipate a cagey affair at The Den on Saturday and cannot envisage one getting the better of the other, instead opting for a share of the spoils.

Norwich vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Norwich City play host to Cardiff City on Saturday looking for the win that may move them into the Championship playoff places.

At a time when the Canaries sit in seventh position in the standings, Cardiff are back down in 14th position having lost their way in recent months.

We say: Norwich City 2-1 Cardiff City

The pressure remains on Wagner to deliver at Norwich, even despite their revival of late. This may turn out to be a tense affair with the stakes rising for the Canaries, but we expect them to come through in a competitive encounter.

Preston vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End head into their showdown with rivals Blackburn Rovers looking to record a fourth successive victory in the Championship.

At a time when the home side sit in ninth place, the visitors make the short trip to Deepdale on Saturday afternoon down in 16th position in the standings.

We say: Preston North End 1-1 Blackburn Rovers

While Preston deserve to be regarded as favourites for this contest, this is a derby and Blackburn need it to spark them into life. That could lead to the spoils being shared, a result that would suit neither team at this stage of the season.

Rotherham vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two teams battling to end dismal runs of form will do battle at the New York Stadium on Saturday, as Rotherham United entertain Watford.

The hosts find themselves rooted to the foot of the Championship table, 14 points adrift of safety, while their visitors now trail the playoff places by seven points in the midst of a growing winless run.

We say: Rotherham United 1-3 Watford

While Watford are far from their best and lacking any momentum, they do still have plenty of quality in their ranks and should fancy themselves to see off a struggling Rotherham outfit.

Stoke vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Following a vitally-needed win in the fight for survival last time out, Stoke City will be looking to continue their upturn in form as Coventry City visit the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Potters battled hard to get the better of relegation rivals Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night, while the Sky Blues managed a point at Plymouth Argyle on the same day.

We say: Stoke City 1-2 Coventry City

Stoke produced a backs-to-the-wall performance to hold on for three points against QPR on Wednesday, but we feel that will be much tougher against an in-form Coventry side.

The Sky Blues will be boosted by a host of key men returning to the XI at the bet365 Stadium, so we believe that they should be able to earn maximum points.

Swansea vs. Ipswich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Ipswich Town make the long trip to Swansea City looking for the win that would keep them firmly in the hunt for an automatic promotion spot.

At a time when the Tractor Boys sit in fourth position in the Championship table, Swansea head into Saturday's fixture in 17th place.

We say: Swansea City 1-3 Ipswich Town

Although Ipswich were starting to be written off, they responded in the best possible way on Wednesday. With that in mind, we are backing the Tractor Boys to record another confidence-building win over another struggling side.