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EFL Saturday 3pm predictions: Stoke can exploit Terriers' lack of bite
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Simon Barlow
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Michael O'Neill's Stoke can capitalise on Huddersfield's early-season problems
Michael O'Neill's Stoke can capitalise on Huddersfield's early-season problems

Last season's beaten Championship play-off finalists Huddersfield are still looking for their first points of the season when they host Stoke on Saturday, while Millwall will be hoping to make home advantage count against Coventry.

MK Dons make the tricky trip to Ipswich in League One, as Northampton entertain Hartlepool in the division below.

With another exciting batch of 3pm kick-offs to look forward to, check out our predictions for four of the selected games.

Huddersfield vs Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)

Plenty will be expect Huddersfield to slip up at home to Stoke. 

Danny Schofield's side have been so bad that it would be a major surprise if they were able to avoid defeat.

The stats

Huddersfield failed to hit the target once in their opener against Burnley, suffering a 1-0 home defeat to the Clarets who completed more than 500 passes and held 70% of possession. 

The feeling that the Terriers have become too easy to play against was underlined when Preston completed more than 700 passes in their midweek 4-1 Carabao Cup rout at John Smith's Stadium. 

Although they were beaten 2-0 at The Den on the opening weekend, Stoke had won two of their three previous away games while Millwall have the best home form in the division in 2022. 

Michael O'Neill's men have failed to score in only one of their last 12 away Championship matches.

Prediction

Huddersfield needed to bounce back following their away defeat to Birmingham — one of the pre-season relegation favourites — but Schofield's side then turned in an abysmal display against Preston. 

Schofield already looks out of his depth and Stoke have enough creativity and firepower to leave him with that sinking feeling again. 

Millwall vs Coventry (Saturday, 3pm)

Two of last season's Championship draw specialists face off in South London with another stalemate looking likely when Millwall entertain Coventry. 

The stats

The Lions have lost only one of their last 12 home league matches while Coventry have lost only four of their last 17 Championship away games. 

Fifteen of the Londoners' 46 Championship matches finished all square last season, with only Preston (16) producing more draws. 

Coventry drew eight of their 23 away league games — the joint-third highest — one of which earned them a point at The Den. 

The Sky Blues have previously responded well to the intimidating atmosphere at Millwall's ground, remaining undefeated in their last four visits there with two wins and two draws. 

Prediction

A trip to Millwall will not scare Coventry — and having seen last weekend's game against Rotherham postponed, the Sky Blues will be eager to get back in action and secure at least a point.

Ipswich vs MK Dons (Saturday, 3pm)

Ipswich and MK Dons can provide some early-season promotion pointers at Portman Road with defences likely to be on top if previous matches between these sides anything to go by. 

The stats

Four of the last five meetings between Ipswich and MK Dons have featured fewer than three goals.

All three of the Dons' matches this season have fallen under the 2.5 match goals mark. 

The last four clashes between these two clubs resulted in draws, with Ipswich leaving Stadium MK with a point from a goalless encounter last February. 

Prediction

Liam Manning's MK Dons have lost their opening two league fixtures
Liam Manning's MK Dons have lost their opening two league fixtures

MK Dons lost some key players over the summer and Liam Manning's side have yet to find the same groove as last term, when they narrowly missed out on automatic promotion. 

A low-scoring affair seems likely with a draw also high on the list of possible outcomes when the final whistle blows. 

Northampton vs Hartlepool (Saturday, 3pm)

Another club that just missed out on automatic promotion last season, Northampton, host struggling Hartlepool in League Two. 

The stats

Northampton have won six of their last 11 League Two home games, including a 2-0 win over Pools in March. 

Hartlepool have failed to win their last five away league games and have gone down 4-0 both times on the road this term. 

Prediction

Northampton have begun the season brightly and should see off a dire Hartlepool with ease. 

Paul Hartley's side have yet to score this season and should fall by the wayside at Sixfields.

Tags

ChampionshipLeague OneLeague TwoHuddersfield TownStokeMillwallCoventryIpswichMilton Keynes DonsNorthamptonHartlepool
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