Friday's Championship predictions including Middlesbrough vs. Burnley

Millwall vs. Luton (Friday, 12.30pm)

Millwall and Luton Town square off on Friday afternoon looking for the victory which would boost their hopes of securing a Championship playoff spot.

While the home side sit four points clear of seventh position, the visitors are fourth in the standings and as many as 10 points ahead in the race for the top six.

We say: Millwall 1-2 Luton Town

While Luton are in a position where they would likely accept a point from this contest if it was handed to them, that will not be their priority. Millwall are tough to beat at The Den, yet we feel that the Hatters will battle their way to maximum points.

Rotherham vs. West Brom (Friday, 1.00pm)

Rotherham United will be looking to give their survival ambitions a serious boost when they host playoff-chasing West Bromwich Albion at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Friday afternoon in the Championship.

The Millers are desperate to avoid another immediate return to League One after being promoted from the third tier last season, whilst Albion know it is now or never for their promotion push.

We say: Rotherham United 1-1 West Bromwich Albion

Rotherham have fallen into a relegation battle in the Championship since the World Cup break, and a home fixture against a West Brom side who struggle on the road is a good opportunity to distance themselves from the bottom three.

The Baggies simply need to start winning on their travels if they are to finish inside the top six this season, but we see Corberan's men only managing a draw in Yorkshire on Friday afternoon.

Blackburn vs. Norwich (Friday, 3.00pm)

Blackburn Rovers and Norwich City meet in the Championship on Friday afternoon aware that this is arguably their most important match of the season.

While sixth-placed Rovers have the opportunity to open up a seven-point gap over the Canaries in the final playoff spot, the visitors can move to within one point of the top six in the standings.

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Norwich City

Given the inconsistency of both teams, this is a difficult match to call. However, with Rovers no strangers to success over Norwich this season, we are backing them to edge a competitive fixture on home territory.

Blackpool vs. Cardiff (Friday, 3.00pm)

Blackpool play host to Cardiff City on Friday afternoon with the opportunity to move to within one point of moving outside of the Championship relegation zone.

However, the Bluebirds make the long trip to the North-West coast aware that that they can catapult themselves away from the bottom three in the standings.

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Cardiff City

With both sides losing momentum in recent games, this could prove to be a tense affair. While McCarthy will demand that his side take the game to one of his former clubs, we feel that Cardiff will do enough to earn a share of the spoils.

QPR vs. Preston (Friday, 3.00pm)

Queens Park Rangers play host to Preston North End on Friday afternoon desperately needing to end their run of defeats to move away from the Championship relegation zone.

At a time when the Hoops sit just three points above the bottom three, Preston occupy 10th spot in the standings and are just five points adrift of the playoffs.

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Preston North End

Facing an in-form Preston side is not ideal for Ainsworth as he bids to end QPR's alarming run of form. However, we feel that the Hoops may do enough to earn a share of the spoils, particularly with Preston under pressure to deliver a maximum return.

Reading vs. Birmingham (Friday, 3.00pm)

Reading will be aiming to give their survival ambitions a boost when they welcome Birmingham City to the Select Cars Leasing Stadium on Friday afternoon in the Championship.

The Royals have been thrown into the heat of a relegation battle following a six-point deduction, while Blues look set for a worry-free end to their 12th-straight season in the second tier.

We say: Reading 1-2 Birmingham City

Reading are in a dangerous situation following their six-point deduction and desperately need three points to ease their understandable relegation worries.

Birmingham will be hopeful of continuing a decent run of results and performances in Berkshire on Friday, and we believe they will do just that to all but secure their Championship safety.

Sheff Utd vs. Wigan (Friday, 3.00pm)

Sheffield United head into Friday's encounter with Wigan Athletic looking to strengthen their hold of the second automatic promotion spot in the Championship.

At a time when the Blades are six points clear of third place, Wigan find themselves bottom of the table and five points adrift of safety.

We say: Sheffield United 2-0 Wigan Athletic

With Wigan on a three-match undefeated streak, it would be naive to write off the visitors. Nevertheless, Sheffield United sense an opportunity to move further clear of Middlesbrough, leading us to back a professional performance and win for the home side.

Stoke vs. Bristol City (Friday, 3.00pm)

Stoke City will be looking to continue their impressive form when they host Bristol City at the bet365 Stadium in the Championship on Friday afternoon.

The Potters managed an eye-catching success on their travels on the weekend at Coventry City, while Bristol City shared the spoils with Reading at Ashton Gate.

We say: Stoke City 2-0 Bristol City

Stoke have surely left it too late for a top-six finish but have been a joy to watch over the past few matches, and Neil's men will be confident of lengthening their unbeaten run on Friday.

The Robins have continued with their inconsistency in recent times and face a tough assignment in Staffordshire on Good Friday - one we think will end in defeat.

Swansea vs. Coventry (Friday, 3.00pm)

Swansea City will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run to three matches when they welcome Coventry City to the Liberty Stadium on Friday afternoon in the Championship.

The Swans secured a dramatic victory over arch rivals Cardiff City last time out, whilst the Sky Blues' playoff dreams took a significant blow at home to Stoke City.

We say: Swansea City 1-2 Coventry City

Swansea have enjoyed an eventful last two games and now face a visit from a Sky Blues side who need to win in order to stay in the fight for promotion.

Coventry's playoff hopes were kept alive by results elsewhere following their heavy defeat to Stoke on Saturday, and Robins will know his men cannot afford another loss on Friday.

Watford vs. Huddersfield (Friday, 3.00pm)

Watford play host to Huddersfield Town on Friday afternoon knowing that they realistically require three points to catapult themselves back into the race for the Championship playoffs.

At a time when the Hornets sit six points adrift of the top six with seven matches remaining, Huddersfield can move outside of the relegation zone for the first time in months with a win at Vicarage Road.

We say: Watford 2-1 Huddersfield Town

With Wilder not having had the desired impact at Watford, Huddersfield will sense an opportunity to earn a potentially-pivotal win. However, we are backing the Hornets to battle their way to an important victory, their extra quality in the final third ultimately shining through.

Sunderland vs. Hull City (Friday, 5.30pm)

Sunderland will endeavour to boost their slim chances of sneaking into the Championship playoff positions when they welcome Hull City to the Stadium of Light on Good Friday.

The Black Cats and the Tigers will be seeking to return to winning ways after playing out goalless stalemates with Burnley and Rotherham United respectively last time out.

We say: Sunderland 2-1 Hull City

With a top-half finish still in sight for Hull, Rosenior will be hoping that his side can take advantage of Sunderland's poor run of form on home soil.

However, following a hard-fought performance against Burnley last time out, we expect the Black Cats to come out on top on Good Friday and edge closer to the top six.

Middlesbrough vs. Burnley (Friday, 8.00pm)

Championship leaders Burnley make the trip to the Riverside Stadium to face fellow promotion hopefuls Middlesbrough on Good Friday.

The two teams will be seeking to return to winning ways after dropping points last time out, with the Clarets drawing at home to Sunderland and Boro losing away against Huddersfield Town.

We say: Middlesbrough 1-1 Burnley

A closely-fought contest between two top Championship teams seeking to bounce back from minor setbacks last week could be on the cards at the Riverside, with a victory for either side boosting their hopes of securing promotion.

However, considering Middlesbrough's strong home form and Burnley's impressive unbeaten league run, the two sides may cancel each other out on this occasion which could lead to a share of the spoils.