Third meets fourth as Ipswich play host to Millwall at Portman Road
Leaders Coventry face a tricky trip to Swansea in the Saturday teatime kick-off
Southampton moved into play-off places with a 1-0 midweek win over Norwich
It is crunch time in the Championship with most teams having only eight games to go to seal their fate and the stakes at the top of the division could not be much higher.
Third-placed Ipswich host fourth-placed Millwall in a battle two sides who still hold automatic promotion ambitions, while in-form Southampton bid to bolster their play-off hopes in a congested race at home to a relegation-threatened Oxford.
Preston vs Stoke (Friday, 8pm)
Having once been in play-off contention, Preston's form has fallen off a cliff and a seven-game winless sequence could be extended by a Stoke side who bounced back to form with last weekend’s 3-1 win at home to Watford.
Score prediction: Preston 1-2 Stoke
Blackburn vs Middlesbrough (Saturday, 12.30pm)
Second-placed Middlesbrough need to get back on the victory trail following two disappointing results and they can do just that at 19th-placed Blackburn, who have won only one of their last five.
Boro have triumphed in five of their last six away league games.
Score prediction: Blackburn 1-2 Middlesbrough
Derby vs Birmingham (Saturday, 12.30pm)
These are two sides still in with a squeak of snatching a play-off place and home advantage looks key for Derby, who are chasing a fourth straight win at Pride Park.
Birmingham have lost to nil on their last two away trips, to Charlton and Millwall.
Score prediction: Derby 1-0 Birmingham
Ipswich vs Millwall (Saturday, 12.30pm)
Just one point and place separates these two promotion hopefuls and hosts Ipswich can land the telling blow at Portman Road.
The Tractor Boys are unbeaten in 14 home games and have won 10 of those fixtures, while the Lions endured a disappointing 2-1 home loss to struggling Blackburn last time out.
Score prediction: Ipswich 2-1 Millwall
Bristol City vs West Brom (Saturday, 3pm)
The points are of greater importance to fourth-bottom West Brom, who are only one point outside the relegation zone, so they can claim a vital draw at Ashton Gate.
The Baggies have shared the spoils six times in their last 11 outings and Bristol City are winless in five.
Score prediction: Bristol City 1-1 West Brom
Charlton vs Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)
Norwich had been on a steep upward trajectory prior to Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Southampton and they can get back to winning ways at Charlton.
The Canaries have won 12 of their 17 games in 2026 and look better than their current position implies.
Score prediction: Charlton 0-2 Norwich
Hull vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)
Hull have struggled for consistency in recent weeks, but they should have too much quality for relegated Sheffield Wednesday, who have endured defeat in 15 of their last 16 matches. However, the Owls have scored in five of their last seven matches.
Score prediction: Hull 3-1 Sheffield Wednesday
QPR vs Portsmouth (Saturday, 3pm)
QPR snapped a four-game losing sequence with last weekend's 3-1 win at Leicester and they can follow up by beating a troubled Portsmouth side who find themselves only one point clear of the relegation places after suffering four defeats in five.
Score prediction: QPR 3-1 Portsmouth
Sheffield United vs Wrexham (Saturday, 3pm)
Wrexham are outside the play-off places on goal difference only, but Tuesday's 3-1 reverse at Watford was a damaging blow.
This is the sort of fixture Sheffield United will get themselves up for and they have won seven of their last 11 league games at Bramall Lane.
Score prediction: Sheffield United 2-1 Wrexham
Southampton vs Oxford (Saturday, 3pm)
Southampton are flying under manager Tonda Eckert and Wednesday's 1-0 win over Norwich stretched their unbeaten run to 11 Championship games.
It also moved them into the play-off spots and they can ease past Oxford, who have won only two of their last 12 on the road.
Score prediction: Southampton 2-0 Oxford
Watford vs Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)
Two points adrift of safety, Leicester are at real risk of suffering back-to-back relegations and they may have to settle for a draw at a Watford side still in the play-off hunt.
The Foxes have the quality to get out of trouble and have played out score draws in four of their last five away games.
Score prediction: Watford 1-1 Leicester
Swansea vs Coventry (Saturday, 5.15pm)
Coventry have regained their composure to pull seven points clear at the Championship summit, but there is little easy about this trip to Swansea.
The Swans are unbeaten in 10 home league games, winning on eight occasions and they may spring a surprise on the league leaders.
Score prediction: Swansea 2-1 Coventry
