Saturday's Championship predictions including Ipswich Town vs. Birmingham City

Hull City vs. West Brom (Saturday, 12.30pm)

In a contest which looks set to have huge ramifications on the race for the top six, Hull City will host West Bromwich Albion at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Tigers are back at their Humberside base after a statement win on the South Coast against Southampton on Tuesday, whereas the Baggies were successful over Plymouth Argyle on the same night.

We say: Hull City 2-2 West Bromwich Albion

West Brom managed to keep a rare clean sheet on the road at Plymouth on Tuesday night, but we feel that Hull will cause Albion more defensive headaches compared to the Pilgrims.

The Tigers will be full of confidence after deservedly defeating Southampton last time out, although we believe that the hosts will have to settle for a point on the weekend.

Blackburn vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking to put further space between themselves and the bottom three, Blackburn Rovers will welcome playoff-chasing Norwich City to Ewood Park on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

Rovers shared the spoils with an out-of-form Cardiff City outfit on Tuesday night, while the Canaries have been afforded a full week to revel in their success over the Bluebirds.

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-3 Norwich City

Eustace has managed to keep Blackburn competitive in all three matches since taking the job, but the visit of Norwich is set to be the toughest task since the 44-year-old joined the club.

The Canaries have hit their stride in front of goal, and with centre-back Gibson ready to return to the backline, it looks set to be a productive afternoon for Wagner's side at Ewood Park.

Cardiff vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to move themselves back into playoff contention following a poor run of form, Cardiff City will welcome relegation-threatened Stoke City to the Cardiff City Stadium on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Bluebirds shared the spoils with Blackburn Rovers during a midweek clash, while the Potters' most-recent fixture ended in defeat against Coventry City.

We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Stoke City

Cardiff's season is beginning to stagnate following a worrying run of results, and we cannot envisage a change in the Bluebirds' fortunes on Saturday.

Stoke have been more competitive in matches recently under Schumacher, and we believe that the Potters will be good enough to return to Staffordshire with a point.

Ipswich vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to keep their top-two dreams a reality, Ipswich Town will welcome Birmingham City to Portman Road for an intriguing-looking Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Tractor Boys' recent upturn in form has allowed them to stay in the automatic promotion conversation, while back-to-back wins for Blues have steered them clear of trouble near the bottom of the division.

We say: Ipswich Town 3-1 Birmingham City

Ipswich score plenty of goals at Portman Road, and we are not expecting that trend to be bucked as Birmingham visit East Anglia this weekend.

Blues have the quality to pose the Tractor Boys problems on Saturday, but we feel that an open contest will likely lead to a victory for the hosts.

Middlesbrough vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Middlesbrough play host to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon knowing that they realistically require maximum points to remain in the hunt for a Championship playoff spot.

At a time when the home side sit in 13th position in the standings, Plymouth have recently dropped back down to 17th after a poor run of form.

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Plymouth Argyle

Given Boro's inconsistency this season, we cannot rule out a surprise victory for Plymouth on their long trip to the North-East. Nevertheless, we are backing Boro to just about edge this contest, potentially through a late goal as they throw caution to the wind.

QPR vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Queens Park Rangers play host to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to finally move outside of the Championship relegation zone.

While the 22nd-placed home side are close to making headway up the standings, Rotherham are cut adrift at the bottom and realistically must win this contest to retain any hope of remaining in the third tier.

We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-1 Rotherham United

Having pushed Ipswich all the way on Tuesday, Rotherham will fancy their chances of overcoming QPR in the capital. Nevertheless, the home side are one of the form teams in the bottom half of the table and are playing with the belief to come through what may prove to be a tight tussle.

Sheff Weds vs. Bristol City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to ramp up their bid to climb out of the Championship relegation zone, Sheffield Wednesday will welcome Bristol City to Hillsborough on Saturday.

The Owls moved within four points of safety with a crucial win last weekend, while the visitors saw their gap up to the playoff places stretched to 10 points by a defeat.

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Bristol City

Sheffield Wednesday are certainly gaining confidence in their fight for survival, and returning to home turf against a Bristol City side on the back of a disappointing result, we fancy them to put three more points on the board on Saturday.

Southampton vs. Millwall (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Southampton will be looking to get back on track in the Championship when they play host to Millwall on Saturday afternoon.

While the Saints occupy fourth spot in the standings, Millwall are down in 21st position, just one point above the relegation zone.

We say: Southampton 3-0 Millwall

With Millwall starting a new phase another a different manager, they may play with a sense of freedom at St Mary's. Nevertheless, this is the ideal fixture for the Saints to get back on track, and it leads us to predict a dominant win for Martin's side.

Sunderland vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sunderland begin life without Michael Beale at the helm with a Championship fixture against Swansea City on Saturday afternoon.

At a time when the Black Cats sit in 10th position in the standings, Swansea are down in 18th place and on the brink of finding themselves in a relegation scrap.

We say: Sunderland 1-1 Swansea City

While Sunderland have shown in the past that they can flourish under Dodds, there is no certainty that will continue here. Swansea may benefit from a free midweek to earn themselves a much-needed share of the spoils.

Watford vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Watford square off against Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that would keep them active in the Championship playoff race.

Meanwhile, the visitors make the trip to Vicarage Road sitting just two points above the relegation zone, albeit having put together an improved run of form.

We say: Watford 2-0 Huddersfield Town

Having finally got back on track last time out, Ismael will be hopeful of putting a run of wins together. Huddersfield have shown potential to improve of late, yet we feel that the Hornets will run out convincing victors here.