• Leaders Coventry host Swansea

• Second-placed Middlesbrough entertain Blackburn

• Midlands derby between Birmingham and Derby starts Boxing Day off

A bumper Boxing Day card in the Championship also signals the halfway stage in the season in the second tier and all 24 teams are involved, with maximum points perhaps providing the best Christmas present of all.

Coventry, with a six-point cushion over Middlesbrough at the top, look like going into 2026 as the Championship leaders and they host Swansea, while the Teessiders entertain Blackburn.

Birmingham and Derby start proceedings in a televised clash from St Andrew's at 12.30pm, while the 5.30pm fixture in front of the Sky cameras sees Wrexham lock horns with Sheffield United.

Birmingham vs Derby (Friday, 12.30pm)

Birmingham are winless in four but they tend to save their best form for home games, where they had recorded four victories in a row prior to a 1-1 draw with Charlton. Derby have seen both teams score in nine of their last ten games so a Blues win with Derby contributing is the selection.

Score prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Derby

Millwall vs Ipswich (Friday, 1pm)

Millwall have lost only one of their last seven matches at The Den and they may be able to frustrate Ipswich, who are winless in three away games, one of which ended in a 1-1 draw at Blackburn.

Score prediction: Millwall 1-1 Ipswich

Coventry vs Swansea (Friday, 3pm)

Having dropped points in three of their last four matches, leaders Coventry are showing signs of a wobble.

However, the Sky Blues have reeled off seven straight victories at home and Swansea are without a win in six on the road so this should go as expected.

Score prediction: Coventry 3-1 Swansea

Leicester vs Watford (Friday, 3pm)

Both teams have scored in eight of Leicester’s last nine matches while Watford have also seen the net bulge at both ends in their last five on the road.

Expect goals, then, but the Hornets have won only one of their 10 away games and may be vulnerable.

Score prediction: Leicester 3-1 Watford

Middlesbrough vs Blackburn (Friday, 3pm)

Middlesbrough saw their four-game winning streak come to an end in a 2-0 defeat at Bristol City last weekend, but they can get their promotion push back on the road with a home win over Blackburn. 

That said, both teams have scored in seven of Boro’s last eight at The Riverside so they may concede on Friday.

Score prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Blackburn

Norwich vs Charlton (Friday, 3pm)

Norwich remain second bottom in the Championship but they are improving, having lost only one of their last six and they have recorded back-to-back home wins over Southampton and QPR.

Visitors Charlton have won only twice in 11 away games

Score prediction: Norwich 2-0 Charlton

Oxford vs Southampton (Friday, 3pm)

Oxford parted ways with manager Gary Rowett on Tuesday following one win in 10 games and they could be vulnerable against a Southampton side that have won six of their last nine to suggest they are getting their act together.

Score prediction: Oxford 1-2 Southampton

Portsmouth vs QPR (Friday, 3pm)

QPR are on the cusp of the play-off places following five wins in seven matches and that included an emphatic 4-1 win over Leicester last time out.

Portsmouth are only two points outside the relegation spots and have suffered three defeats in five.

Score prediction: Portsmouth 1-3 QPR

Sheffield Wednesday vs Hull (Friday, 3pm)

Championship crisis club Sheffield Wednesday will be desperate for the season to end, having won only one of their 21 matches, and Yorkshire rivals Hull are unlikely to show any sympathy as they seek a fourth win in five.

Score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 1-3 Hull

Stoke vs Preston (Friday, 3pm)

Preston have shared the spoils in five of their last eight Championship clashes and last season’s two league meetings with Stoke also ended all-square.

There are only three points splitting the play-off protagonists so this could end in a draw.

Score prediction: Stoke 1-1 Preston

West Brom vs Bristol City (Friday, 3pm)

West Brom have flattered to deceive in the Championship this season but they are at least unbeaten in seven league games at The Hawthorns and they can see off Bristol City, who have lost three of their last five on the road.

Score prediction: West Brom 2-0 Bristol City

Wrexham vs Sheffield United (Friday, 5.30pm)

Home is where the heart is for Wrexham, who have lost only one of their last 10 at the Racecourse Ground. However, four of those ended in draws and Sheffield United look much improved following just one defeat in eight.

Score prediction: Wrexham 1-1 Sheffield United.