- Leeds have lost just one of their last 12 games to move to the top of the table
- Sheffield United and Watford put their unbeaten home records on the line this weekend
- Cardiff and Plymouth are looking to end their waits for first away win

The Championship’s weekend schedule kicks off with a blockbuster clash as Sheffield United host Sunderland on Friday night and there are a number of other huge clashes taking place in the English second flight, with each predicted below. 

Sheffield United vs Sunderland (Friday, 8pm)

Sunderland were at the summit just a few weeks ago but five draws in a row have seen them fall to fourth and they look vulnerable against Sheffield United, who have won seven home games on the spin. 

Score prediction: 2-1 

Middlesbrough vs Hull (Saturday, 12.30pm) 

Four defeats in a row cost Tim Walter his job at Hull and interim manager Andy Dawson is unlikely to get enough out of a dejected Middlesbrough, who have scored 15 goals while winning three of their last four. 

Score prediction: 3-0

Oxford vs Millwall (Saturday, 12.30pm) 

Millwall are unbeaten in eight games and should narrowly see off Oxford, who were beaten 6-2 in their last home match. 

Score prediction: 0-1

Watford vs QPR (Saturday, 12.30pm)

QPR snapped a 13-game winless streak with a 2-0 win at Cardiff on Wednesday but it may be back to losing ways at Vicarage Road, where Watford have won five on the bounce. 

Score prediction: 2-0

Blackburn vs Leeds (Saturday, 1.30pm)

Back-to-back wins over Cardiff and Middlesbrough suggest Blackburn may have enough to frustrate Leeds, especially as the Whites have drawn three of their last five on the road. 

Score prediction: 1-1

Bristol City vs Plymouth (Saturday, 3pm) 

Still without a win after 10 away games, it is hard to have faith in Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth on their trip to Bristol City and the Robins are fancied to snap a five-match winless streak at Ashton Gate to take a narrow victory. 

Score prediction: 1-0

Norwich vs Luton (Saturday, 3pm)

Norwich have netted 18 goals across their last six home matches and they have the firepower — mainly through Borja Sainz — to outscore Luton in a Carrow Road thriller. 

Score Prediction: 3-1 

Preston vs West Brom (Saturday, 3pm) 

With Preston drawing five of their last eight games and West Brom seeing eight of their last nine finish level, it seems likely there will be little between this pair at Deepdale. 

Score prediction: 0-0

Stoke vs Burnley (Saturday, 3pm) 

Stoke’s run of consecutive draws could be extended to four on Saturday when they take on promotion-chasing Burnley, who have won just one of their last four away games. 

Score prediction: 1-1

Coventry vs Cardiff (Saturday, 3pm) 

A new manager bounce could be enough to get Coventry back on track, with their more talented squad set to beat an out-of-form Cardiff and get Frank Lampard off to a perfect start. 

Score prediction: 2-1

Swansea vs Portsmouth (Saturday, 3pm) 

Portsmouth have not played since November 9 and that rustiness may show against Swansea, who ran Leeds close in their last home match and beat Watford at the Liberty prior to that. 

Score prediction: 2-1

Derby vs Sheffield Wednesday (Sunday, 3pm)

Just two points separate Derby and Sheffield Wednesday, suggesting there may not be too much between the pair at Pride Park on Sunday. 

Score prediction: 1-1