Saturday's Championship predictions including Ipswich vs. Norwich

Ipswich vs. Norwich (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Searching for their first victory over their local rivals in over 14 years, promotion-chasing Ipswich Town will welcome Norwich City to Portman Road for a highly-anticipated East Anglian derby at Saturday lunchtime.

The Tractor Boys come into this clash as favourites for the first time in recent memory following a sensational start to the term, but the Canaries will be capable underdogs after an upturn in form.

We say: Ipswich Town 2-1 Norwich City

Saturday afternoon will provide Ipswich with their best opportunity to beat Norwich since that glorious day in 2009, although we cannot envisage the East Anglian derby being light work for the Tractor Boys despite their lofty league position.

The Canaries might have to swallow their pride and try to grind out a result on the weekend, but regardless, we expect that their long-standing unbeaten spell in this fixture will come to an end.

Bristol City vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sunderland make the trip to Bristol City on Saturday looking to continue their recent resurgence and remain in the top six of the Championship standings.

In sharp contrast, the home side are struggling to make an impact under new management, the club now down in 15th after a four-game winless streak.

We say: Bristol City 1-2 Sunderland

There is enough quality in the Bristol City ranks and vulnerability in Sunderland's for a home win to occur at the weekend. However, the Black Cats are currently finding something extra, and we feel that they could rally in the second half to claim another impressive victory.

Hull City vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)

With the opportunity to climb into the top six of the Championship standings, Hull City will do battle with an out-of-form Cardiff City side at the MKM Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

The Tigers produced a gritty performance at Middlesbrough to snatch all three points in the week, while a lacklustre display from the Bluebirds against Birmingham City led to defeat.

We say: Hull City 2-0 Cardiff City

Hull will be full of confidence after completing a comeback at the Riverside last time out, so the home supporters at the MKM will be demanding maximum points once again.

Cardiff were devoid of ideas in an attacking sense against Birmingham, and we expect the Bluebirds to struggle to deal with the Tigers on Saturday afternoon.

Leeds vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Leeds United will be looking to get back to winning ways when they welcome last season's playoff finalists Coventry City to Elland Road on Saturday afternoon for a Championship encounter.

The Whites were not at their best at the Stadium of Light and were defeated by Sunderland last time out, while the Sky Blues shared the spoils with recently-relegated Southampton on Wednesday.

We say: Leeds United 3-1 Coventry City

After being kept at bay by Sunderland last time out, we are expecting Leeds to come out firing and hit a couple of goals past Bradley Collins in the Coventry net.

The Sky Blues have looked decent on their own patch in the last two matches, but 90 minutes against the Whites and their Elland Road faithful is an entirely different proposition.

Millwall vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Millwall and Huddersfield Town meet at The Den on Saturday afternoon with both clubs sitting just above the Championship relegation zone.

With neither of these teams winning any of their last three fixtures, both managers require a victory to move away from 20th and 21st place in the standings.

We say: Millwall 1-1 Huddersfield Town

This has the makings of a nervy match for two teams who would have expected to be further up the table at this stage. Performance-wise, Millwall may be making progress under Edwards, but we fancy Huddersfield to battle their way to a share of the spoils on Saturday.

Plymouth vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking to earn their first points under new management amid a relegation dogfight, Rotherham United will travel to Home Park on Saturday afternoon to face Plymouth Argyle in the Championship.

The Green Army managed to grind out a goalless draw at Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday night despite a numerical disadvantage, while the Millers were beaten by West Bromwich Albion a day earlier.

We say: Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Rotherham United

After battling through 70 minutes with 10 players in the week against QPR, an 11-man Plymouth will be raring to rack up the goals against the division's bottom side at Home Park.

Rotherham did not look like scoring on Tuesday night and considering their woeful record on the road, we cannot imagine a result for the Millers from their maiden away trip under Richardson.

Preston vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End and Watford meet at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon as they bid to take the next step towards a Championship playoff spot.

After a spell of inconsistent form, these teams sit in eighth and 12th place in the table, still in close proximity to the top six.

We say: Preston North End 2-1 Watford

Despite their inconsistences of late, both clubs will be confident of delivering maximum points in the North-West. However, in what should prove to be an entertaining fixture, we are backing Preston to edge this one by the odd goal in three.

Sheff Weds vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sheffield Wednesday will welcome Queens Park Rangers to Hillsborough on Saturday for a crucial contest at the bottom end of the Championship table.

The hosts recently climbed off the foot of the division but head into the contest on the back of a midweek defeat, while their visitors also find themselves in the drop zone, seven points better off and one adrift of safety.

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 1-1 Queens Park Rangers

Both teams are certainly playing with a degree of confidence back in their game, and both desperate not to lose in a true six-pointer, even at this early stage of the campaign, we anticipate them sharing the points at Hillsborough.

Southampton vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Southampton will be looking to extend their Championship unbeaten streak when they play host to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.

Although the Saints are sitting comfortably in the playoff spots, Blackburn - who are ninth in the standings - can move to within five points of their hosts with victory at St Mary's.

We say: Southampton 3-1 Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn make the long trip to the South coast sensing that there is an opportunity to make real headway up the table and into the playoff mix. However, Southampton are due a clinical performance and we feel that may come against opponents who have suffered 10 defeats in 21 league matches.

Swansea vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Swansea City and Middlesbrough meet in South Wales on Saturday afternoon looking for a much-needed win in the Championship playoff race.

These two teams sit in 17th and 13th place respectively in the standings, Boro making the long trip on the back of three successive defeats.

We say: Swansea City 1-2 Middlesbrough

Swansea have the momentum heading into this contest and their supporters will expect another strong result. However, Boro have reached a point under Carrick where they need another winning run, and that extra determination may see them get back on track.