Saturday's Championship predictions including Swansea City vs. Cardiff City

Swansea vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 12.30pm)

In the latest instalment of the hotly-contested South Wales derby, Swansea City will welcome Cardiff City to the Swansea.com Stadium for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Swans are looking to respond following a defeat at Bristol City last time out, whilst the Bluebirds are aiming to extend their marvellous winning run to five matches.

We say: Swansea City 1-1 Cardiff City

Swansea have struggled in recent matches but should be raring to fight during a South Wales derby in front of their own supporters at the Swansea.com Stadium.

Cardiff are threatening a serious top-six push following four-straight wins, but we feel that the Bluebirds will be forced to share the points on Saturday afternoon.

Birmingham vs. Watford (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Hoping to avoid dropping into the bottom three of the second-tier table, Birmingham City will welcome Watford to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park on Saturday afternoon in the Championship.

Blues hit a new low during the sobering defeat to Middlesbrough on Tuesday night, whilst the Hornets are preparing for life under fresh management following a poor run of results.

We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Watford

Birmingham's performance against Middlesbrough was highly concerning, but we reckon that a change of style could help Blues towards earning a result on Saturday.

Watford will be hoping for a new manager bounce in the Second City, but we feel that Cleverley will have to wait for his maiden victory as a manager.

Ipswich vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Ipswich Town will welcome Sheffield Wednesday to Portman Road on Saturday for a game with major implications at both ends of the Championship table.

A loss to Cardiff City last weekend left the hosts third, one point behind Leeds United in the race for automatic promotion, while their visitors are a single point adrift of safety despite a loss of their own last Friday.

We say: Ipswich Town 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Ipswich Town will be wounded by last week's late defeat, while the visitors are certainly improved in their survival bid in recent months, but we can only envisage the third-placed hosts having too much attacking quality for Rohl's men on Saturday and bouncing back to winning ways in their top-two pursuit.

Middlesbrough vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Middlesbrough play host to Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon knowing that victory will keep them very much alive in the Championship promotion race.

At a time when Boro sit in ninth position in the standings, Blackburn are down in 18th place, just three points above the relegation zone.

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

With Blackburn having kept their points tally ticking over with draws, that result cannot be ruled out here. However, Boro are beginning to build up a head of steam and we are backing Carrick's side to edge this contest in the closing stages.

Plymouth vs. Preston (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Preston North End make the long trip to Home Park to face Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon looking for the victory that will keep them in the Championship promotion race.

At a time when the visitors sit in 10th position in the standings, Plymouth are down in 17th spot, just three points above the relegation zone.

We say: Plymouth Argyle 1-2 Preston North End

While Plymouth would probably take another point, that is not the case with Preston who cannot afford more dropped points. With that in mind, we are backing the visitors to throw caution to the wind in the latter stages in order to secure a maximum return.

Rotherham vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two of the bottom three teams in the Championship table will do battle in a Yorkshire Derby at the New York Stadium on Saturday, as Rotherham United welcome Huddersfield Town.

The hosts remain rooted to the foot of the division and all but confined to the drop, while their visitors are just a single point adrift of safety with nine games to go.

We say: Rotherham United 0-2 Huddersfield Town

With the chance to move back out of the bottom three, Huddersfield Town will see it as vital that they prevail over a Rotherham United side lacking quality and any confidence at the weekend.

While the Millers will fight hard to end their slump, we envisage Breitenreiter's side having too much on Saturday and taking three crucial points.

Stoke vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Stoke City play host to Norwich City on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that would put considerable distance between themselves and the Championship bottom three.

At a time when the Potters sit in 19th position in the table, the visitors to the bet365 Stadium occupy the last place in the playoffs on goal difference.

We say: Stoke City 1-1 Norwich City

Although there is a wide margin between these two sides in the table, Stoke's win last weekend goes some way to levelling the playing field. With that in mind, do not be surprised if a competitive low-scoring draw is played out, one that suits Stoke more than Norwich.

Sunderland vs. QPR (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sunderland play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking to avoid suffering their seventh consecutive defeat in the Championship.

Meanwhile, QPR make the long trip to the Stadium of Light sitting just one point above the relegation zone after two games without a win.

We say: Sunderland 1-2 Queens Park Rangers

Although Sunderland showed some spirit in their defeat to Southampton, it was still a confidence-sapping four goals conceded. We fancy QPR to shake off their own setback against Middlesbrough to secure a potentially-pivotal win at the Stadium of Light, albeit having to hold on during the closing stages.

West Brom vs. Bristol City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking to further cement their place in the top six of the league standings, West Bromwich Albion will welcome Bristol City to The Hawthorns for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The new-look Albion attack are firing the team towards a place in the playoffs, whilst the Robins' campaign is at serious risk of petering out this month.

We say: West Bromwich Albion 1-0 Bristol City

West Brom have added attacking flair to their defensive stability since the turn of the calendar year and should be very confident of another home victory on Saturday.

Bristol City are in the doldrums following a poor run of form and at risk of being swept aside at The Hawthorns as the Baggies chase down the Premier League.