Boxing Day's Championship predictions including Stoke vs. Leeds

Blackburn vs. Sunderland (Thursday, 3.00pm)

In a potentially season-defining match for two promotion hopefuls, Blackburn Rovers are set to host Sunderland on Thursday in their 22nd Championship game of the season at Ewood Park.

The home side are fifth with 37 points but lost 1-0 against Millwall on Saturday, while the visitors have played one game more and are in fourth place with 43 points following their 2-1 victory against Norwich City on December 21.

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-2 Sunderland

Blackburn may struggle defensively on Thursday given they will be without key personnel in the backline, and it is difficult to see them keeping a clean sheet.

However, Sunderland have not fared well on their travels, and it would not be surprising if their clash ended in a stalemate.

Bristol City vs. Luton (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Bristol City will look to end a four-game winless run when they welcome Luton Town to Ashton Gate on Boxing Day.

The Robins are in 12th place in the Championship table, while the Hatters are just two points further back in 15th position.

We say: Bristol City 2-2 Luton Town

While Luton have won four of their last five home matches, they have struggled to replicate that sort of form away from Kenilworth Road, and with that in mind, we think the Hatters will have to settle for a share of the spoils in their clash with a Bristol City side that have drawn four of their previous seven home matches.

Coventry vs. Plymouth (Thursday, 3.00pm)

After a humiliating afternoon on the South Coast on the weekend, Coventry City will be searching for some festive cheer as Plymouth Argyle visit for a Championship clash on Boxing Day.

The Sky Blues were smashed 4-1 at the home of relegation-threatened Portsmouth last time out, whilst the Pilgrims played out a pulsating six-goal thriller with Middlesbrough in Devon.

We say: Coventry City 2-1 Plymouth Argyle

Although their Portsmouth performance highlighted major areas of weakness, Coventry will seriously fancy their chances of beating a Plymouth side who are terrible on their Championship travels.

The Green Army will be hoping for a Christmas miracle in the form of an away victory on Boxing Day, although we do not believe that their prayers will be answered.

Middlesbrough vs. Sheff Weds (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Separated by three points in the fight for playoff places at the top end of the Championship table, Middlesbrough and Sheffield Wednesday will do battle at the Riverside Stadium on Boxing Day.

The hosts currently sit sixth but only lead the chasing pack on goal difference, while their visitors have climbed up to ninth spot with back-to-back victories before Christmas.

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday are growing in confidence under Danny Rohl, but we see a Boxing Day trip to Middlesbrough as a step too far and back the hosts to make their superior quality count at the Riverside Stadium.

Norwich vs. Millwall (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Norwich City will look to end a four-game winless run when they welcome Millwall to Carrow Road on Boxing Day.

Meanwhile, the Lions will be hoping to claim a second straight win after edging out Blackburn Rovers in their most recent outing.

We say: Norwich City 2-1 Millwall

While Norwich are experiencing a difficult run of form, they tend to perform well in home games with Millwall, and we think they will do enough to claim a narrow victory to extend their unbeaten record head-to-head home meetings to 21 matches.

Oxford Utd vs. Cardiff (Thursday, 3.00pm)

In a relegation six-pointer, Oxford United will welcome Cardiff City to the Kassam Stadium on Thursday in their 22nd Championship game of the season.

The hosts were beaten 4-0 by Leeds United on December 21 and are second last in 23rd place with 18 points, whereas their opponents are level on points in 22nd place and lost 2-0 against Sheffield United last Saturday.

We say: Oxford United 2-1 Cardiff City

Oxford have significantly fewer injury concerns than Cardiff, and they are likely to come into the game energised by the arrival of their new manager.

It is difficult to see either side keeping a clean sheet given their poor form of late, but Oxford could be buoyed by their home crowd to a victory.

Preston vs. Hull City (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End will welcome Hull City to Deepdale on Boxing Day for an important contest at the bottom end of the Championship table.

The visitors moved out of the bottom three with a victory at the weekend, while their hosts are four points better off in 18th spot.

We say: Preston North End 1-1 Hull City

Hull City will hope to kick on after Saturday's crucial return to winning ways, but we see a share of the spoils as the most likely outcome against a Preston North End side who have drawn 11 of their 22 league games so far this term.

Sheff Utd vs. Burnley (Thursday, 3.00pm)

A key battle at the top end of the Championship table will take place at Bramall Lane on Boxing Day, as Sheffield United welcome Burnley.

After both recording victories last weekend, the hosts sit three points clear at the top of the standings, while their visitors are four points behind in third spot.

We say: Sheffield United 1-0 Burnley

Given the two teams' eye-catching defensive records, we can only envisage a tight low-scoring contest on Boxing Day and give a slight edge to Chris Wilder's side given their impeccable home form.

Swansea vs. QPR (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Queens Park Rangers will head to South Wales for a Championship encounter against Swansea City on Boxing Day.

The hosts are looking to bounce back from consecutive defeats, while the visitors are hoping to extend their unbeaten run to eight matches.

We say: Swansea City 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Swansea will be desperate to return to winning ways following back-to-back defeats, but we think they will have to be content with a point when they face a QPR side that have avoided defeat in each of their previous seven matches.

Watford vs. Portsmouth (Thursday, 3.00pm)

Portsmouth will have the chance to claim back-to-back victories when they travel to Vicarage Road for their Boxing Day clash with Watford.

Meanwhile, the Hornets will be looking for a positive response after falling to a narrow defeat in their recent meeting with Burnley.

We say: Watford 3-1 Portsmouth

Portsmouth may have enjoyed success in their recent home outing against Coventry, but they struggled to produce their best form on the road this season, and given their poor away record against Watford, we think they will be left empty-handed in their Boxing Day clash with the Hornets.

Derby vs. West Brom (Thursday, 5.30pm)

After a cruel defeat on the road last time out, Derby County will be searching for some festive cheer as they host West Bromwich Albion at Pride Park in the Championship on Boxing Day.

The Rams were moments away from earning a positive result at Luton Town last Friday night, whereas the Baggies secured a routine home victory over Bristol City two days later.

We say: Derby County 2-1 West Bromwich Albion

After a heartbreaking defeat at Luton last week, Derby will be raring to produce a good display and three points in front of their Pride Park faithful.

Likely under the leadership of an interim manager, the impending departure of Corberan is poised to send shockwaves around the Black Country, with an unsettled West Brom side set to struggle on Boxing Day.

Stoke vs. Leeds (Thursday, 8.00pm)

Leeds United will hope to continue their promotion charge on Thursday, when they travel to the bet365 Stadium to face strugglers Stoke City in their 23rd Championship match of 2024-25.

The hosts are sixth last in 19th place with just 22 points following their 2-0 defeat against Sheffield Wednesday on December 21, while the Whites are second with 45 points and beat Oxford United 4-0 last Saturday.

We say: Stoke City 0-3 Leeds United

Despite the fact that Stoke have not often lost at home, they are in dire form and have been porous in their defensive third.

Additionally, Leeds have been outstanding recently, and it would not be surprising if they piled further misery on their hosts.

Written by

Barney Corkhill