Saturday's Championship predictions including Cardiff City vs. Birmingham City

Cardiff vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Cardiff City play host to Birmingham City on Saturday afternoon looking to bounce back from a defeat at Reading last weekend.

At a time when the Bluebirds occupy ninth position in the Championship standings, Blues are fourth after coming through their opening two games with four points.

We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Birmingham City

This is a difficult match to call, particularly with Birmingham continuing to impress despite the negative pre-season predictions. Although we fancy the visitors to have their moments in South Wales, Cardiff will want to bounce back from the embarrassment in midweek, something that we feel they will achieve in a hard-fought contest.

Blackpool vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)

In the third round of fixtures of the new Championship season, Blackpool will welcome Swansea City to Bloomfield Road on Saturday.

The visitors arrive looking for a first league win of the season, while their hosts suffered a defeat after an opening-day victory, and both come in on the back of exits from the EFL Cup.

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Swansea City

We do not see Swansea's struggles lasting too long, and, while they do boast the quality to leave with three points, we opt for a share of the spoils at Bloomfield Road.

Martin's side have the tools to hurt their hosts and will attempt to dominate the ball but can leave themselves vulnerable as a result, and we back the Tangerines to take a point.

Huddersfield vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking for their first points of the new Championship season, Huddersfield Town will entertain Stoke City on Saturday.

The Terriers have suffered back-to-back defeats to start the term and dropped out of the EFL Cup on Tuesday, while their visitors come in having earned a victory and suffered a loss in their first two matches before also dropping out of the cup.

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Stoke City

Huddersfield have struggled so far this season, and, with Stoke City boasting an exciting squad capable of having a much-improved campaign, we see the Potters having enough to leave with all three points.

Hull City vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Despite failing to win their last two matches, Hull City have the chance to clinch back-to-back victories when they play host to Norwich City on Saturday.

The visitors are still searching for their first league win of the season after picking up a point from their opening two Championship games.

We say: Hull City 1-1 Norwich City

Although a much-changed team lost to Bradford in midweek, Hull will enter Saturday's contest in a confident mood after collecting four points from their opening two games, and we think they will continue their unbeaten start to the Championship season with a home draw against Norwich.

Luton vs. Preston (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Luton Town will attempt to clinch their first win of the season when they play host to Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, will look to claim consecutive victories after beating Huddersfield Town 4-1 in the EFL Cup.

We say: Luton Town 1-1 Preston North End

Although Preston recorded an impressive victory at the weekend, they have played out consecutive league draws, and we think that they will have to settle for a draw when they face a Luton side that have also drawn their opening two Championship games.

Millwall vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Millwall head into Saturday's encounter with Coventry City having endured a mixed start to the new Championship campaign.

At a time when the Lions sit in 10th position, the Sky Blues are down in 19th place having played a game fewer than their hosts.

We say: Millwall 2-1 Coventry City

Given their respective schedules over the past two weeks, everything appears to be in the favour of Millwall. Robins will feel that his Coventry side can only improve on the Bristol City game, but Millwall should have more in their legs to come through with a win.

Rotherham vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)

After the postponement of their trip to Coventry City last weekend, Rotherham United will welcome Reading to the New York Stadium for a Championship contest on Saturday.

Paul Warne's men began life back in the Championship with a draw before returning to action and progressing in the EFL Cup on Wednesday, while their visitors come into the game with three points from their opening two outings.

We say: Rotherham United 2-1 Reading

Rotherham United will know that if they are to stand a chance of avoiding relegation this time around, they must be particularly resolute at home, and we see them grinding out an important first win at the weekend.

Reading arrive with a depleted squad, and Warne's men will see the contest as a good chance to take all three points and get off to a strong start.

Sunderland vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sunderland will look to continue their unbeaten start to the Championship season when they welcome Queens Park Rangers to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The visitors, meanwhile, are aiming to clinch their first away victory of the season after failing to win their opening two away matches in all competitions.

We say: Sunderland 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Although Sunderland will look to utilise home advantage, we think they will have to settle for a point against a side they have not beaten since 2012.

Wigan vs. Bristol City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two sides hoping to record a first win of the Championship season will do battle on Saturday, as Wigan Athletic entertain Bristol City.

Following their promotion, the hosts have played out back-to-back draws in their opening two matches, while their visitors are one of just two sides to have lost both games so far.

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-1 Bristol City

Both sides will likely identify Saturday's contest as a good opportunity to pick up an important three-point haul, and we cannot quite split them and see a share of the spoils as the most likely outcome.

The Robins will be desperate to put their two defeats behind them and post an away win but Richardson's side should be well drilled, particularly on home turf, so we opt for a low-scoring draw.