• Derby host West Brom on Friday

• Middlesbrough entertain Preston in a nine-match Saturday programme

• Southampton face Portsmouth in Sunday derby and leaders Coventry visit Norwich on Monday

Championship leaders Coventry get to watch all their rivals in action first this week as they play in the 12th and final match of the weekend schedule at Norwich on Monday night.

That gives second-placed Middlesbrough a chance to reduce the gap between the top two to three points if they can beat Preston on Saturday lunchtime.

The 12 second-tier fixtures are spread across four days this weekend and we have a score prediction for each one.

Derby vs West Brom (Friday, 8pm)

Eric Ramsay has had a nightmare start to his time as West Brom manager, losing 3-2 to Middlesbrough and 5-0 to Norwich in his first two games, and things could get even worse when his side visit in-form Derby.

The Rams have won their last two games at Preston and Charlton and can condemn Albion to a 12th away league loss.

Score prediction: Derby 3-1 West Brom

Middlesbrough vs Preston (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Middlesbrough have won three in a row in the league while Preston have hit trouble with three consecutive defeats to nil in all competitions.

Buoyant Boro can press home their advantage in this lunchtime kick-off.

Score prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Preston

Millwall vs Charlton (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Millwall were unable to take anything from their midweek trip to leaders Coventry, losing 2-1, but they remain in decent form and can pick up three points at home to Charlton.

The Addicks' only win in their last seven games was a 1-0 victory over nine-man Sheffield United last week and they look set to struggle against their London rivals.

Score prediction: Millwall 2-1 Charlton

Birmingham vs Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)

Stoke failed to hang on to their lead against Middlesbrough on Wednesday but they beat Birmingham 1-0 in the teams' first meeting this season and could claim a handy point from what is likely to be another close contest between two solid sides.

Score prediction: Birmingham 1-1 Stoke

Blackburn vs Watford (Saturday, 3pm)

Blackburn and Watford are both desperate for a win but the Hornets are more likely to get it after a three-match winless run than their hosts, who have been successful just once in their last 13 games.

Score prediction: Blackburn 0-1 Watford

Bristol City vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)

Bristol City have gone three league games without a win but they thrashed Watford 5-1 in the FA Cup in their last home fixture and should make no mistake against struggling Sheffield Wednesday, who have lost five in a row without even scoring.

Score prediction: Bristol City 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Hull vs Swansea (Saturday, 3pm)

Hull have won six of their last eight Championship games to climb into the top four and they can collect three more points against poor travellers Swansea, who have lost six of their last seven league away games.

Score prediction: Hull 2-1 Swansea

Leicester vs Oxford (Saturday, 3pm)

Leicester are a long way from where they would want to be as they start the weekend in 14th place, but after tough tests against Coventry and Wrexham, a home game against goal-shy Oxford is a simpler task and they should get back to winning ways.

Score prediction: Leicester 2-0 Oxford

QPR vs Wrexham (Saturday, 3pm)

This is one of the more attractive fixtures in the Championship this weekend and a close contest is likely.

QPR are coming off two goalless away draws, while Wrexham have taken one point from their last two games and the teams could be hard to separate.

Score prediction: QPR 1-1 Wrexham

Sheffield United vs Ipswich (Saturday, 3pm)

Sheffield United are going through a rough spell with an FA Cup exit followed by back-to-back league losses this week.

While Ipswich do their best work at Portman Road, they beat leaders Coventry on their last away trip and can chalk up a sixth successive win.

Score prediction: Sheffield United 1-3 Ipswich

Portsmouth vs Southampton (Sunday, 12:00)

Honours were even when the first south-coast derby of the season was goalless at St Mary's and Portsmouth are capable of taking another point when Southampton visit Fratton Park on Sunday.

Pompey have taken seven points from their last three home league games and Saints, while higher in the table, can be inconsistent.

Score prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Southampton

Norwich vs Coventry (Monday, 8pm)

Norwich began the weekend 20th in the table and have lost nine of their 13 home league games but they cannot be ruled out against leaders Coventry on Monday after striking a rich vein of form.

The Canaries have scored 12 goals while winning their last three league and cup games and they are capable of upsetting the Sky Blues, who have not won any of their last six away matches.

Score prediction: Norwich 3-2 Coventry.