Saturday's Championship predictions including Ipswich Town vs. Middlesbrough

Leeds vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Aiming to move back into the top two in the Championship table with the run-in rapidly heating up, Leeds United will welcome Blackburn Rovers to Elland Road on Saturday for a key contest at both ends of the division.

A disappointing midweek draw saw the hosts remain a point outside the automatic promotion places with four games to go, while the visitors have seen their lead over the relegation zone reduced to just three points.

We say: Leeds United 3-0 Blackburn Rovers

While Leeds United have faltered slightly in their automatic promotion bid in recent weeks, they should have far too much quality on home turf for a Blackburn Rovers side lacking confidence at the wrong end of the division after a 5-0 thrashing, and we can only envisage a dominant victory for Farke's men in Yorkshire.

Birmingham vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

With League One football next season becoming an ever-increasing possibility, Birmingham City will battle for three points when Coventry City visit St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Saturday in the Championship.

Blues are in real danger of losing their second-tier status after defeat in the week, whilst the Sky Blues suffered a setback in their bid for a top-six place.

We say: Birmingham City 1-2 Coventry City

Birmingham's confidence is at an all-time low following Wednesday's defeat to Cardiff, and it is going to take quite the performance to beat Coventry this weekend.

Despite a number of injury doubts in their squad, the Sky Blues should be good enough to take maximum points back to the East Midlands on Saturday evening.

Bristol City vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Desperate to improve their standing in the fight at the bottom end of the Championship table, Huddersfield Town will travel to Ashton Gate to take on Bristol City on Saturday.

With four games left to play in England's second tier, the visitors only lead the relegation zone on goal difference, while their hosts have climbed into the top half with an impressive run of form.

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield Town certainly head into the contest with much more to fight for, but Andre Breitenreiter's side meet a Bristol City team who are playing at their best with freedom and momentum on their side, and we envisage a home victory at Ashton Gate as a result with the Robins continuing a fine run to end the campaign.

Hull City vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Hull City will bid to keep any faint hopes of cracking the playoff places in the Championship table alive on Saturday, when they entertain Queens Park Rangers.

The hosts currently trail sixth-placed Norwich City by six points with a game in hand, while their visitors will aim to move out of sight in the fight for survival after their recent improvement.

We say: Hull City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

Knowing only a victory will suffice if they are to remain in the playoff hunt, and with home advantage on their side and superior quality to the visitors, we back Hull City to prevail in a crucial battle on Saturday.

Ipswich vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Ipswich Town play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that they may require to remain in the top two of the Championship standings.

At a time when the home side's fate is in their own hands, the same cannot be said for the visitors, who travel to Portman Road six points adrift of the playoffs.

We say: Ipswich Town 2-1 Middlesbrough

With Middlesbrough having put together a prolonged unbeaten run, they will fancy their chances of getting the better of a team under increasing pressure. However, we are backing the home side to get back on track in what could turn into a scrappy contest.

Millwall vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Millwall play host to Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory would put them on the brink of securing their Championship status for another 12 months.

Meanwhile, Cardiff make the trip to The Den aware that only a win will do if they wish to remain remotely competitive in the playoff race, with the visitors now down in 11th position in the standings.

We say: Millwall 1-1 Cardiff City

With Cardiff having little choice but to go for a win, this has the potential to be an entertaining game. However, that may change if Millwall score first, and we feel the visitors could have to accept a low-scoring draw.

Preston vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End and Norwich City square off at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon with just five points separating the teams in the Championship standings.

Although the visitors currently hold the final playoff spot, Preston can catapult themselves back into the mix with a win.

We say: Preston North End 1-2 Norwich City

On the back of blowing a lead against Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich's confidence has no doubt taken a knock. Nevertheless, we are backing the Canaries to bounce back with their most important win of the season, one that could prove pivotal in the playoff race.

Sheff Weds vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)

A pivotal contest in the fight at the bottom end of the Championship table will take place at Hillsborough on Saturday, as Sheffield Wednesday welcome Stoke City.

With just four games of the final run-in remaining, the hosts are now only adrift of safety on goal difference, while trailing their visitors by just three points in the fight to avoid the drop.

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Stoke City

With four games left to guarantee their second-tier status for next season, both teams will be desperate for three points on Saturday, setting up a tight and intriguing encounter.

Both boasting similar levels of quality, and unable to afford what would be a damaging defeat, we see a low-scoring draw as the most likely outcome at Hillsborough.

Southampton vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Southampton play host to Watford on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory could keep them interested in the automatic promotion race.

However, at a time when the Saints sit in fourth position in the Championship standings, Watford make the trip to St Mary's on a five-game unbeaten run.

We say: Southampton 2-1 Watford

This has all the makings of being a tight contest where Watford are able to frustrate their opponents, much like they did at Ipswich. Nevertheless, we feel Southampton will eventually make the breakthrough and fend off the Hornets' response in a hard-earned victory.

Swansea vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Swansea City play host to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon knowing that they are a win away from guaranteeing survival in the Championship.

At a time when the home side sit in 15th position in the standings, Rotherham are already relegated and are merely playing for pride.

We say: Swansea City 2-0 Rotherham United

A second away trip of the week is far from ideal for Rotherham and we feel it could take its toll. Meanwhile, Swansea head into this contest on a high and they could ultimately cruise to victory over the bottom-placed side.

West Brom vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking to put one foot in the playoffs, West Bromwich Albion will welcome midtable dwellers Sunderland to The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Baggies were comfortable winners over already-relegated Rotherham United on Wednesday night, whilst the Black Cats held Leeds United to a goalless draw last time out.

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Sunderland

West Brom are cruising towards the playoffs, and we are expecting another solid home performance to all but secure a top-six standing for the Baggies.

Sunderland had to work extremely hard to earn a point at Elland Road last time out, however we feel that they will be unable to repeat the trick at The Hawthorns.