• Coventry are top of the Championship and the only unbeaten team left in the division

• Three points separate 13th-placed Birmingham to Charlton in fifth

• Sheffield Wednesday, Blackburn and Norwich occupy the relegation spots

The Championship season is bubbling along nicely and there is plenty at stake in this weekend's fixtures, with promotion hopefuls and relegation candidates all in action.

Preston vs Sheffield United (Friday, 8pm)

Two wins in a row has lifted Sheffield United out of the bottom three and they can continue their climb up the table with a victory at Preston, who have won just one of their last five matches.

Score prediction: Preston 1-2 Sheffield United

Coventry vs Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Top of the table and unbeaten after 11 matches, Coventry can rack up a sixth successive victory when they host a Watford team who are yet to win away from home.

Score prediction: Coventry 3-0 Watford

Ipswich vs West Brom (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Defeats to Middlesbrough and Charlton have seen Ipswich slip down the standings and they now face a West Brom side who have failed to win back-to-back matches this season. This could be an attritional affair at Portman Road.

Score prediction: Ipswich 1-1 West Brom

Portsmouth vs Stoke (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Stoke's promotion charge has been hampered by poor away form, as they have failed to win any of their last four fixtures on the road, and they may struggle to overcome a Portsmouth side who have beaten Middlesbrough, drawn with Leicester and suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to Coventry in their last three outings.

Score prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Stoke

Blackburn vs Southampton (Saturday, 3pm)

A five-game winless run has seen Blackburn drop into the bottom three but they may be able to get something from a Southampton side who have won just one of their last nine matches in all competitions.

Score prediction: Blackburn 2-2 Southampton

Bristol City vs Birmingham (Saturday, 3pm)

Bristol City are on a two-game winning run heading into the visit of Birmingham, who beat Preston 1-0 on Tuesday to end a four-match streak without a victory.

Score prediction: Bristol City 1-1 Birmingham

Derby vs QPR (Saturday, 3pm)

Swansea have won three and drawn one of their last four away matches and they now travel to face a Derby side who are unbeaten in their last three at home, drawing two and winning one.

Score prediction: Derby 1-1 QPR

Hull vs Charlton (Saturday, 3pm)

Hull are on a three-game winning run and they face fellow promotion-hopefuls Charlton, who have won their last two matches and have triumphed at Sheffield United and Ipswich this season.

Score prediction: Hull 2-2 Charlton

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham (Saturday, 3pm)

Just one point off top spot, Middlesbrough have edged past their last two opponents by one-goal margins and they may also be able to squeeze past a Wrexham side who lost 1-0 at Stoke in their last away encounter.

Score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Wrexham

Millwall vs Leicester (Saturday, 3pm)

Three wins in a row has lifted Millwall to third in the table and they can register another statement win when hosting Leicester, who have won just one of their last seven assignments.

Score prediction: Millwall 2-1 Leicester

Sheffield Wednesday vs Oxford (Saturday, 3pm)

Bottom of the table and three points from safety, Sheffield Wednesday have lost three in a row and this looks like a perfect opportunity for Oxford, who won 1-0 at Hillsborough last season, to clinch a much-needed victory.

Score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Oxford

Swansea vs Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)

Four defeats in a row has put Norwich boss Liam Manning under huge pressure and his position could come under further scrutiny when his side head to Swansea, who will be hoping home advantage can deliver three crucial points.

Score prediction: Swansea 2-1 Norwich.