Saturday's Championship predictions including Leeds vs. Plymouth

Blackburn vs. Sheff Utd (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Separated by just three points in the top six of the Championship table, Blackburn Rovers and Sheffield United will meet in an important contest at Ewood Park on Saturday.

The visitors moved back up to fourth spot with a return to winning ways at the weekend, while their hosts will bid to bounce back from a draw and a defeat in their last two outings.

We say: Blackburn Rovers 1-1 Sheffield United

Sheffield United face a particularly tough test in their bid to make it back-to-back wins on Saturday, as they take on the league's second-strongest home side, and we anticipate a tight contest at Ewood Park.

We would not be surprised to see the points shared in a result which may please both sides.

Oxford Utd vs. Swansea (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Oxford United and Swansea City square off on Saturday afternoon each looking to end prolonged winless streaks in the second tier.

There is just one point separating the teams, who sit in 14th and 17th place in the Championship standings respectively.

We say: Oxford United 1-0 Swansea City

Although both teams are going through a period where a win feels further way than it once did, we can only back Oxford to prevail from this contest courtesy of their impressive home record, one which comes accompanied with a strong defensive effort.

Stoke vs. Derby (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Aiming to end their worrying winless run, Stoke City will welcome newly-promoted Derby County to the bet365 Stadium for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters were in action earlier in the week on the quest for EFL Cup glory, whereas the Rams have been afforded a full week to recover from a second-tier battle with Hull City.

We say: Stoke City 2-1 Derby County

After putting in a respectable performance against Premier League opposition in the EFL Cup, Stoke should be confident of earning three points at home to Derby.

The Rams are winless from six Championship away matches so far, and we do not envisage the visitors breaking that streak in Staffordshire this weekend.

Cardiff vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Cardiff City play host to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon looking to continue their renaissance in the second tier.

At a time when the Bluebirds sit in 20th position in the Championship standings, Norwich are in eighth spot after a succession of draws.

We say: Cardiff City 2-2 Norwich City

This has all the makings of an entertaining contest with Cardiff continuing to head in the right direction under Riza. However, Norwich have shown enough in recent games to suggest that they are still playing well enough to earn a share of the spoils.

Hull City vs. Portsmouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Hull City will look to end a four-game winless league run when they welcome Portsmouth to the MKM Stadium for Saturday's Championship clash.

Meanwhile, the visitors will be hoping to produce a positive response after losing back-to-back matches against Cardiff City and Sheffield Wednesday.

We say: Hull City 2-1 Portsmouth

Hull may be low on confidence following a four-game winless run, but we still believe they will do enough to claim a narrow win against a struggling Portsmouth side who have lost three of their previous four away matches.

Leeds vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both aiming to bounce back to winning ways in their fights at opposite ends of the Championship table, Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle will square off at Elland Road on Saturday.

After a draw away at Bristol City at the weekend, the hosts only trail the automatic promotion spots on goal difference, while their visitors moved a point above the relegation zone with a draw of their own last time out.

We say: Leeds United 3-0 Plymouth Argyle

With one of the league's strongest sides squaring off against its worst away record, we can only envisage Leeds United outclassing the Pilgrims at Elland Road and taking all three points on Saturday.

Middlesbrough vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both looking to strengthen their bids for a top-six finish, Middlesbrough and Coventry City will clash at the Riverside Stadium in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Boro managed a point from a six-goal thriller at Norwich City last time out, whilst the Sky Blues secured a much-needed victory over Luton Town.

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Coventry City

Possessing home advantage, Middlesbrough will be confident of building on a point at Norwich with a Riverside success over Coventry this weekend.

The Sky Blues are winless from six Championship away matches so far this season, and we expect that statistic to extend to seven games on Teesside.

Preston vs. Bristol City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End and Bristol City meet in the Championship on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that will leave them looking forward rather than back towards the relegation zone.

While the home side sit in 16th place in the Championship table, Bristol City make the trip to Deepdale in 11th position.

We say: Preston North End 1-1 Bristol City

Although Preston have generally performed well at Deepdale this season, it remains to be seen how they will react to shipping so many goals in their last two games. With that in mind, we feel that Bristol City will earn a share of the spoils in what may peter out into a low-scoring draw.

QPR vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sunderland will be looking to strengthen their lead at the top of the Championship table when they travel to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon.

In sharp contrast, the home side have won just one league fixture all season and sit in 23rd position in the standings.

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-2 Sunderland

Despite having failed to win at home all season, QPR always have the potential to prevail at Loftus Road. However, we cannot ignore the crest of a wave that Sunderland are riding, leading us to predict a hard-fought away success.

Sheff Weds vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both aiming to make it back-to-back wins in pursuit of the top six in the Championship table, Sheffield Wednesday and Watford will meet at Hillsborough on Saturday.

The hosts climbed up to 13th spot with an away victory last Friday, while their visitors moved level on points with sixth-placed Blackburn Rovers with a win of their own last time out.

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 2-1 Watford

Watford have certainly found it tough on the road so far this season, and on the back of five straight away defeats they could struggle against a Sheffield Wednesday side growing into the season and gaining confidence under Danny Rohl.