Saturday's Championship predictions including Ipswich vs. Sunderland

Coventry vs. Leicester (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Aiming to keep their playoff push on track, Coventry City will welcome league leaders Leicester City to the Coventry Building Society Arena for the M69 derby in the Championship on Saturday.

The Sky Blues are racing towards the top six with many of their summer arrivals finally hitting their stride, while the Foxes are set to make a swift and immediate return to the Premier League.

We say: Coventry City 1-2 Leicester City

Coventry have managed some notable results against the division's big hitters in recent weeks, but the visit of Leicester on Saturday will be the ultimate test.

The Foxes are flying in the second tier, and although the trip to the CBS Arena should prove tricky, we expect Maresca's men to collect maximum points.

Birmingham vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Following 83 disastrous days under the management of Wayne Rooney, Birmingham will begin another new era as they welcome Swansea City to St Andrew's on Saturday in the Championship.

Blues are winless in their last five league matches but did manage a draw in the FA Cup at Hull City last time out, while the Swans eased past Morecambe to reach the fourth round.

We say: Birmingham City 2-1 Swansea City

Birmingham felt lost with Rooney at the helm, but the appointment of Mowbray ticks all the right boxes, and he will be desperate to begin with a win on Saturday.

Swansea are also hoping for a new manager bounce, but we believe that a fired-up St Andrew's crowd will witness a match to remember in the Second City.

Cardiff vs. Leeds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Cardiff City play host to Leeds United in the Championship on Saturday afternoon with the opportunity to move to the brink of the Championship playoff spots.

At a time when the Bluebirds sit in ninth position in the standings, Leeds are fourth but now seven points adrift of the automatic promotion places.

We say: Cardiff City 1-2 Leeds United

On the back of last week's debacle at Hillsborough, Cardiff may benefit from playing in such a high-profile fixture. Nevertheless, the superior quality comes from Leeds' ranks, and we feel that the visitors will edge this contest courtesy of a fast start to proceedings.

Huddersfield vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

A key battle at the bottom end of the Championship table will take place at the John Smith's Stadium on Saturday, as Huddersfield Town entertain Plymouth Argyle on the return to league action.

The hosts currently sit 21st with just a three-point lead over the relegation zone, while their visitors are four better off in 18th spot under the new management of Ian Foster.

We say: Huddersfield Town 1-1 Plymouth Argyle

We anticipate a tight and hard-fought encounter on Saturday between two sides hit by different issues heading into the second half of the season.

Huddersfield are without a long list of their key players, while the visitors will still be feeling the loss of Schumacher, Cundle and Azaz, and both desperate to avoid what would be a harmful defeat, we anticipate a low-scoring draw in West Yorkshire.

Millwall vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Millwall play host to Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon looking to record their fourth successive victory in the Championship.

As a result of Boro's recent inconsistency, the Lions now sit just four points adrift of their 12th-placed opponents in the standings.

We say: Millwall 1-1 Middlesbrough

The high of beating Chelsea could have varying effects on Boro, something that Carrick will be aware of. Millwall are a team in form right now and that may lead to the two teams playing out a competitive draw at The Den.

Preston vs. Bristol City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End and Bristol City meet at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon with both clubs aware that there is an opportunity to catapult themselves up the Championship standings.

Just one point separates the 14th and 11th-placed sides, with just a five-point gap in between the home side and the playoff spots.

We say: Preston North End 1-1 Bristol City

Everything points to this fixture only being a tight affair and that inevitably leads to us predicting a share of the spoils. Neither team would be against that end result, yet it would help neither of their promotion hopes.

Rotherham vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the Championship to four matches, relegation-threatened Rotherham United will welcome Stoke City to the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Both sides were dumped out of the FA Cup at the third-round stage last weekend, with the Millers losing to Fulham, while the Potters were bested by Brighton & Hove Albion.

We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Stoke City

Rotherham have been a tough nut to crack at the New York Stadium this season, and we are expecting another resolute home display from the Millers as they scrap for survival.

Stoke have been much improved since Schumacher replaced Neil last month, but we feel that the Potters will have to settle for a third-straight draw in the Championship this weekend.

Southampton vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sheffield Wednesday will make the long trip down to Southampton on Saturday for a contest of major importance at both ends of the Championship table.

The hosts triumphed in the reverse fixture at Hillsborough on the opening day of the campaign and now sit just three points outside of the top three, while their visitors are just three points adrift of safety thanks to their recent resurgence.

We say: Southampton 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield Wednesday have certainly come on leaps and bounds in recent months and will fancy themselves to go toe to toe with any Championship side, but Saturday's trip to the in-form promotion-hopefuls may be a step too far, and we can only envisage Russell Martin's side outclassing the Owls at St Mary's.

West Brom vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to keep the playoff-chasing pack at arm's length, West Bromwich Albion will welcome Blackburn Rovers to The Hawthorns on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

The Baggies eased past non-league Aldershot Town in the FA Cup last time out, while Rovers were handsome winners over League One side Cambridge United at Ewood Park.

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Blackburn Rovers

Although West Brom are light in terms of attacking options due to Diangana's AFCON involvement and Sarmiento's departure, the hosts still have a first-choice defence available, which has been key to so many of their wins at The Hawthorns this season.

Blackburn have lost their last four Championship away matches - conceding 13 goals in the process - and we cannot imagine Rovers earning anything on Saturday afternoon.

Ipswich vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Ipswich Town square off against Sunderland on Saturday afternoon looking to end a five-game winless streak in the Championship.

At a time when the Tractor Boys are clinging onto second place in the standings, Sunderland are sixth having made improvements in recent weeks.

We say: Ipswich Town 2-1 Sunderland

Sunderland showed against Newcastle that they are far from the finished article under Beale and this is a fixture that they could probably do without after such a humbling. Despite Ipswich's recent form, the home side could have enough about them to get over the line in this one, kick-starting their promotion bid.