• Coventry are top of the table, one point clear of Middlesbrough

• Leicester, Preston and Stoke make up the rest of the top six

• Sheffield United are bottom with just three points

The Championship returns this weekend following the international break with all 24 teams in action, getting underway on Friday evening with second-placed Middlesbrough hosting fellow promotion hopefuls Ipswich in a televised tussle.

We look at all 12 games and have provided a score prediction for each.

Middlesbrough vs Ipswich (Friday, 8pm)

Strong defensive foundations have provided Middlesbrough with the platform for their fast start and, having conceded only six goals in nine outings, Ipswich face a true test.

The Tractor Boys are finding their feet, having gone five games unbeaten, but second-placed Middlesbrough have drawn three of their last five and can battle for a point again.

Score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-1 Ipswich

Oxford vs Derby (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Both Oxford and Derby have won only one of their opening nine games and they may have to settle for a point apiece at the Kassam Stadium.

The hosts have shared the spoils in three of their last six outings, which includes home games with Coventry and Leicester, while Derby have played out three straight 1-1 draws with Wrexham, Charlton and Southampton.

Score prediction: Oxford 1-1 Derby

QPR vs Millwall (Saturday, 12.30pm)

QPR have gone on a six-game unbeaten run and they can edge a low-scoring encounter with Millwall, who have failed to win their last three away.

The Hoops have recorded back-to-back home clean sheets against Stoke and Oxford while Millwall’s last five road trips have gone under 2.5 goals.

Score prediction: QPR 1-0 Millwall

Southampton vs Swansea (Saturday, 12.30pm)

There could be a surprise on the cards at Sr Mary’s, where Southampton are winless in three, which includes a 2-1 loss to Stoke.

Will Still continues to implement his ideas and Swansea, having won two of their last three away games at Blackburn and Sheffield Wednesday, may be able to capitalise.

Score prediction: Southampton 1-2 Swansea

Birmingham vs Hull (Saturday, 3pm)

Big-spending Birmingham have found life in the Championship tougher than expected but they have won three of their last five at home and can battle past Hull, who remain winless on the road.

Score prediction: Birmingham 2-1 Hull

Charlton vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)

Sheffield Wednesday were swatted aside 5-0 at home to Coventry prior to the international break and they are unlikely to turn the corner at Charlton, who have won three of their five competitive games at The Valley and kept two clean sheets.

Score prediction: Charlton 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Coventry vs Blackburn (Saturday, 3pm)

Three straight wins, with 12 goals scored and none conceded, has fired Coventry to the top of the Championship table and they should have the beating of Blackburn, who lost 3-0 away at Charlton in their last road trip.

Score prediction: Coventry 3-0 Blackburn

Norwich vs Bristol City (Saturday, 3pm)

Norwich have lost all four Championship home games this season and they look vulnerable again in front of their own fans against Bristol City, who remain unbeaten on their travels following wins over Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday and draws with Derby and Preston.

Score prediction: Norwich 1-2 Bristol City

Sheffield United vs Watford (Saturday, 3pm)

Javi Gracia has returned for a second spell as Watford manager and he can begin by steering the Hornets to a point against struggling Sheffield United at Bramall Lane. The Blades should start to improve soon after losing eight of their opening nine games but may have to settle for a point this weekend.

Score prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Watford

Stoke vs Wrexham (Saturday, 3pm)

Stoke have gone four games without a victory and may struggle to get the better of Wrexham at the bet365 Stadium. The Red Dragons got off to an indifferent start, but they are unbeaten in five and it should be entertaining given both teams have scored in 10 of their 12 competitive outings.

Score prediction: Stoke 1-3 Wrexham 

West Brom vs Preston (Saturday, 3pm)

Preston have lost just one of their nine Championship games and they should cause plenty of problems for West Brom, who have taken only four points from their last five fixtures. The Lilywhites have kept three clean sheets in four.

Score prediction: West Brom 0-1 Preston  

Leicester vs Portsmouth (Saturday, 7.45pm)

Leicester have grown into the season and can stretch their unbeaten sequence to eight with a home victory over Portsmouth.

The Foxes won 3-1 at Swansea before the break and should have too much quality for Pompey, who are winless in three away games.

Score prediction: Leicester 3-1 Portsmouth.