Saturday's Championship predictions including Watford vs. Rotherham

Coventry vs. Norwich (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Coventry City welcome Norwich City to the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday afternoon, with both sides coming into this clash after exiting the FA Cup over the past fortnight.

The Sky Blues were defeated by National League side Wrexham, while Norwich lost at home to Blackburn Rovers, meaning all focus is now on league matters for these two clubs.

We say: Coventry City 1-3 Norwich City

Coventry are down to bare bones in terms of squad depth due to injuries, and that reality is showing as the Sky Blues slide down the Championship table.

Norwich displayed what they are capable of doing at this level on a regular basis in their demolition of Preston last weekend, and Wagner should be confident of securing his second win at the helm on Saturday afternoon.

Birmingham vs. Preston (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Birmingham City will be looking to build on success in the FA Cup during the week when they host Preston North End at St Andrew's in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

The Blues were victorious over League One's Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday night to set up a clash with Blackburn Rovers next week, whereas the aim for Preston will be to respond after a heavy defeat to Norwich City last Saturday.

We say: Birmingham City 1-1 Preston North End

Birmingham needed that cup win against Forest Green to prevent a full-blown panic from commencing amongst supporters, but they must now back that victory up with a respectable performance and result in the Championship this weekend.

Preston will be desperate to put that heavy defeat to Norwich behind them, and with key players returning to the fold for this game they should be good enough for a point at St Andrew's.

Blackpool vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Fresh off the dismissal of manager Michael Appleton, Blackpool will welcome Huddersfield Town to Bloomfield Road on Saturday for an important contest at the bottom end of the Championship table.

The two teams find themselves level on points in 23rd and 22nd spots respectively, with both sitting three points adrift of safety, while the hosts begin their search for a new boss in their bid to survive the drop.

We say: Blackpool 2-1 Huddersfield Town

Blackpool come into Saturday's crucial meeting in poor form, but a change in management can often inspire an upturn in form, and they will see Saturday as as good of an opportunity as ever to return to winning ways.

With plenty of attacking quality on show and an expected boost in the camp, we fancy the Tangerines to end their long wait for a league win at the weekend and take all three points.

Bristol City vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Blackburn Rovers make the trip to Ashton Gate to face Bristol City on Saturday afternoon knowing that they could need to avoid defeat to remain in the Championship playoff places.

At a time when Rovers sit in fifth position in the standings, Bristol City are in 17th spot after a recent resurgence in form.

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Blackburn Rovers

Despite the difference in league positions, Bristol City are very much the form side heading into this fixture. Although Blackburn have shown on countless occasions this season that they can bounce back from defeats, we are backing the home team to edge a close game.

Wigan vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Wigan Athletic and Luton Town will be meeting for the third time this year when they square off in the Championship on Saturday afternoon.

Luton, who occupy ninth spot in the standings, edged out their bottom-placed hosts in an FA Cup third-round replay earlier this week.

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Luton Town

The most recent two meetings have been closer than many anticipated, and we expect another competitive match here. However, we feel like the same scoreline as Tuesday is the most likely outcome, albeit not with a last-gasp winner on this occasion.

Cardiff vs. Millwall (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Cardiff City will be searching for their first win since November when they host Millwall in the Championship on Saturday afternoon in South Wales.

The Bluebirds only have second-tier survival to focus on now after being eliminated from the FA Cup in the week, whereas Millwall will be hoping to bounce back from successive defeats in all competitions.

We say: Cardiff City 1-1 Millwall

Cardiff are in danger of slipping into the relegation zone in the Championship while they scramble to appoint a new manager, with the Welsh side needing to find a way to earn three points on Saturday.

Millwall have faltered on the road this season so will be not expecting to breeze past a struggling Cardiff side, meaning a share of the spoils is likely this weekend.

QPR vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Queens Park Rangers and Swansea City meet at Loftus Road on Saturday afternoon with both clubs struggling to remain in the top half of the Championship standings.

Although the visitors have won two of their last three games, they only sit marginally ahead of their hosts who are without a victory in four league outings.

We say: Queens Park Rangers 1-1 Swansea City

With both teams in a position where defeat would leave them well off the pace in the promotion hunt, we expect a tense encounter in West London. With that in mind, a low-scoring draw could play out, one which may not necessarily suit either side.

Stoke vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Stoke City will be looking for their first Championship win of 2023 when they host Reading at the bet365 Stadium in Staffordshire on Saturday afternoon.

The Potters have only found success in terms of victory in the FA Cup so far this calendar year, and the same can be said for the Royals, who have slipped down the second-tier table after a promising start to the campaign.

We say: Stoke City 2-1 Reading

Stoke have not started 2023 in the best fashion and considerable pressure will be on Neil to earn all three points against a Reading side who have been prone to self-destruction away from home.

The Royals' squad took a further beating last weekend with injuries to Hutchinson, Carroll and Long, which could contribute to a disappointing result in Staffordshire this weekend.

Watford vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Watford play host to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon looking for the win which would strengthen their hold of a Championship playoff spot.

At a time when the Hornets sit in third position in the standings, Rotherham are 19th after last weekend's stunning victory over promotion-chasing Blackburn Rovers.

We say: Watford 2-0 Rotherham United

Rotherham travel to Vicarage Road on a high and feeling capable of earning at least a share of the spoils. However, Watford look like a team ready to churn out some hard-earned results, and we expect to see another victory here.