- Leeds have won only three of nine away fixtures
- Blackburn have won their last four matches 1-0
- Sheffield United have conceded just two goals at home

As is so often the case in the second tier, it's tight at the top and Sheffield United are just one point clear of Yorkshire rivals Leeds United, who have won five of their last six matches.

Joe Champion has looked at the fixture list and provided correct-score predictions for all 12 contests.

Derby vs Portsmouth (Friday, 8pm)

Derby are winless in six matches and could find Portsmouth tough to beat. After a slow start, Pompey are unbeaten in four and can battle to a fifth road draw of the campaign.

Score prediction: Derby 1-1 Portsmouth

Bristol City vs QPR (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Bristol City are inconsistent and look vulnerable against a QPR side on an upward curve. The Super Hoops are unbeaten in five, winning three of those matches.

Score prediction: Bristol City 1-2 QPR

Coventry vs Hull (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Frank Lampard has had a mixed start to life at Coventry, but this is a good time to face Hull and their new manager, Ruben Selles. The Tigers have lost four of their last five on the road, scoring just twice. 

Score prediction: Coventry 1-0 Hull

Preston vs Leeds (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Preston are proving hard to beat, playing out four draws before a midweek win over Cardiff. They can hold Leeds, who have won just one of their last six road matches.

Score prediction: Preston 1-1 Leeds

Blackburn vs Luton (Saturday, 3pm)

A five-match winning run has Blackburn dreaming of a Premier League return, while Luton's poor away form has left them stuck in mid-table. Expect Rovers to edge a narrow victory.

Score prediction: Blackburn 1-0 Luton

Middlesbrough vs Millwall (Saturday, 3pm)

Middlesbrough have faltered in back-to-back road trips to Burnley and Leeds, but can return to winning ways against Millwall, who will part company with Neil Harris after this contest.

Score prediction: Middlesbrough 2-0 Millwall

Oxford vs Sheff Wed (Saturday, 3pm)

Oxford are heading in the wrong direction and, while they have been better at home than away, they ar facing a Sheffield Wednesday team who have won two straight road matches.

Score prediction: Oxford 1-2 Sheff Wed

Sheff Utd vs Plymouth (Saturday, 3pm)

Championship leaders Sheff Utd should maintain their charge at home to struggling Plymouth. The Blades have kept eight consecutive clean sheets at Bramall Lane.

Score prediction: Sheff Utd 3-0 Plymouth

Stoke vs Cardiff (Saturday, 3pm)

Stoke are on the slide, but only Burnley have proved too strong for the Potters in their last seven home matches. They can gain an elusive victory over Cardiff, who are winless in six. 

Score prediction: Stoke 1-0 Cardiff

Swansea vs Sunderland (Saturday, 3pm)

Both teams have scored in Swansea's last five games and they can play out a score-draw with Sunderland, who have been involved in six stalemates in their last eight outings.

Score prediction: Swansea 1-1 Sunderland

Watford vs West Brom (Sunday, 2pm)

Watford are strong at home, winning seven and drawing two of their nine games at Vicarage Road this term. They can edge past a West Brom team which sometimes lacks creativity.

Score prediction: Watford 1-0 West Brom

Norwich vs Burnley (Sunday, 3pm)

Norwich have scored 25 goals at home while Burnley boast the league's meanest defence, so something has to give at Carrow Road.

The Canaries are dangerous so visiting manager Scott Parker could be content with a low-scoring point.

Score prediction: Norwich 1-1 Burnley