Saturday's Championship predictions including Middlesbrough vs. Preston

Blackpool vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Blackpool will be searching for back-to-back wins at Bloomfield Road when they host playoff-chasing Coventry City in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Seasiders trashed Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday night to boost their survival chances, whereas the Sky Blues shared the spoils at the DW Stadium with Wigan Athletic on the same day.

We say: Blackpool 1-2 Coventry City

Blackpool will be full of confidence following their trashing of QPR on Tuesday, but it is often difficult to go again so quickly after an adrenaline-filled night.

Coventry know it is now or never for their playoff dreams this season, and we reckon they will keep them alive heading into the international break by collecting three points this weekend.

Middlesbrough vs. Preston (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Middlesbrough play host to Preston North End on Saturday afternoon looking to get back to winning ways after dropping points in midweek.

At a time when Boro sit in third spot in the Championship standings, six points adrift of second, Preston occupy 11th position and are seven points behind the playoff places.

We say: Middlesbrough 3-1 Preston North End

With Preston travelling to the North-East full of confidence, they will relish the opportunity to further derail Middlesbrough's automatic promotion bid. However, the home side's extra quality in attack may prove key, and we expect Carrick's side to come through in an entertaining fixture.

Millwall vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Millwall play host to Huddersfield Town on Saturday afternoon looking to record their third successive victory in the Championship.

At a time when the Lions occupy sixth position in the standings, Huddersfield remain down in 23rd spot despite drawing two of their last three games.

We say: Millwall 2-0 Huddersfield Town

With Huddersfield building belief at the back, they will hope to fend off Millwall's obvious threat in the final third, particularly at home. Nevertheless, we can see nothing but a professional Lions win, keeping a clean sheet in the process.

QPR vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Queens Park Rangers will be hoping to put the horrors of their Bloomfield Road trip on Tuesday night behind them when they host Birmingham City at Loftus Road in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The R's suffered their heaviest defeat of the season at Blackpool and could still be dragged into a relegation battle, whereas Blues will be looking to respond following their loss at Watford.

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Birmingham City

QPR fans will be demanding a massive response following Tuesday's disastrous showing against Blackpool, knowing that one more win will probably be enough to secure their Championship safety.

Birmingham come into this game knowing a victory for them will likely do the same, and we expect a hard-fought contest at Loftus Road on Saturday.

Reading vs. Hull City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Reading and Hull City square off on Saturday afternoon looking for victories which will end their respective poor runs of form in the Championship.

While the teams sit in 16th and 15th spots in the standings, Reading have a points deduction hanging over their heads and are under threat of relegation.

We say: Reading 1-1 Hull City

While Reading have endured dismal streaks already this campaign, this one comes with added pressure. Although they will welcome the return to familiar territory, Ince and his squad may be content with a share of the spoils should it become available to them over the course of the 90 minutes.

Rotherham vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Rotherham United and Cardiff City square off in the Championship on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory would go a long way to securing their status in the Championship for another 12 months.

Although the teams sit in 20th and 21st spot in the standings, points deductions are pending for several of the clubs around them.

We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Cardiff City

While each team knows the benefits of a win on Saturday, they are equally aware that they can ill-afford a defeat. With that in mind, do not be surprised to see a competitive low-scoring draw play out at the New York Stadium.

Stoke vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Stoke City will be looking to continue their good form of late when they host playoff-chasing Norwich City at the bet365 Stadium in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters have stolen points off some big players in this division over the past three matches, whilst Norwich have stumbled as they hunt down the top six.

We say: Stoke City 2-1 Norwich City

Stoke continue a tough run of fixtures by welcoming Norwich to the bet365 Stadium on Saturday, although they will be confident of extending their unbeaten run to four games following impressive performances over the past week.

The Canaries suffered a disappointing result and more injury setbacks at Huddersfield in the week, and we feel those circumstances could contribute to another poor showing this weekend.

Sunderland vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Luton Town will look to break into the top three in the Championship table on Saturday, when they travel to the Stadium of Light to take on Sunderland.

The Hatters occupy a strong position in the fight for playoff places thanks to three consecutive victories, while their hosts have quickly dropped to 12th spot in the midst of a tough run of form.

We say: Sunderland 0-2 Luton Town

Luton Town are full of momentum with their sights set on cracking the top three, while Sunderland are far from their best and low on confidence, and we envisage another victory for Edwards's side as a result.

Watford vs. Wigan (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Watford will be looking for back-to-back wins at Vicarage Road when they host relegation-threatened Wigan Athletic in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Hornets kept their playoff ambitions alive with a win over Birmingham City on Tuesday night, whereas Wigan shared the spoils with Coventry City at the DW Stadium on the same day.

We say: Watford 2-0 Wigan Athletic

Watford started quickly during the win over Birmingham, and Wilder will be hoping his team do the same on Saturday against a Wigan side who struggle to recover from losing positions, especially away from home.

The Latics face another formidable opponent on the road after trips to West Bromwich Albion and Burnley earlier in the month, and we expect Maloney's men to earn nothing out of their Vicarage Road test on Saturday.