- Sheffield United are three points clear at the top
- Leeds, Burnley and Sunderland among chasing pack
- Hull City are bottom, without a win in 13 games

Leaders Sheffield United have won four of their last five games to sit three points clear of Leeds in the Championship going into the busy Christmas period but it is tight in the top half with just 10 points separating second from eighth.

We look at all 12 games taking place over Friday, Saturday and Sunday and provide a correct-score prediction for each contest.

Luton vs Derby (Friday, 8pm)

Derby ended a six-game winless run with a thumping 4-0 home success over Portsmouth and they can secure a point on Friday night at Luton, who lost 2-0 at Blackburn last weekend.

Score prediction: Luton 1-1 Derby

Hull vs Swansea (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Hull's miserable season continued with a 2-1 defeat at Coventry last weekend and they look set to be in for more pain against Swansea.

The Swans were 2-0 up against highflying Sunderland last time out but conceded two goals in the final 20 minutes to suffer an agonising 3-2 defeat.

Score prediction: Hull 0-1 Swansea

Portsmouth vs Coventry (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Pompey's four-game unbeaten streak was ended spectacularly by Derby's 4-0 victory and they could be vulnerable to Frank Lampard's Coventry, who made it two wins in three games when beating Hull.

Score prediction: Portsmouth 1-2 Coventry

Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Sheffield Wednesday won 3-1 at Oxford to leave them in the top 10 and the Owls can follow up with another three points against Stoke at Hillsborough.

The Potters have now gone seven games without a win after being held to a 2-2 draw by Cardiff.

Score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Stoke

Burnley vs Watford (Saturday, 3pm)

Third-placed Burnley came from behind to win at Norwich on Sunday and they can secure another three points to further boost their promotion hopes when they take on Watford, who are seventh.

Score prediction: Burnley 3-1 Watford

Cardiff vs Sheffield United (Saturday, 3pm)

The Blades look every inch automatic promotion contenders as they are on a 10-game unbeaten run in the Championship, winning eight of those matches.

The leaders should be too strong for a Cardiff side who have not won for seven games.

Score prediction: Cardiff 0-2 Sheffield United

Leeds vs Oxford (Saturday, 3pm)

Leeds, in second, are just three points behind their Yorkshire rivals at the top but the Whites will have been disappointed to only draw 1-1 with Preston last weekend.

They should make amends by easily overcoming Oxford at Elland Road as the U's are down in 20th place and have lost five of their last six games.

Score prediction: Leeds 4-1 Oxford

Millwall vs Blackburn (Saturday, 3pm)

Millwall could be in for a tough afternoon against in-form Blackburn as temporary boss David Livermore takes charge of the Lions following Neil Harris' exit.

Rovers have moved up to fifth after another win to nil — their fifth in a row — over Luton and they can secure yet another victory at The Den.

Score prediction: Milwall 1-3 Blackburn

Plymouth vs Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3pm)

Plymouth are on a four-game losing streak and that looks likely to be extended to five when Middlesbrough visit.

Sixth-placed Boro edged out Millwall last weekend and they can stay in the play-off picture with another hard-fought win.

Score prediction: Plymouth 0-1 Middlesbrough

QPR vs Preston (Saturday, 3pm)

QPR's recent improved form continued with a draw at Bristol City and they can secure a home win on Saturday over a Preston side who have been hampered by too many draws lately.

Score prediction: QPR 2-0 Preston

Sunderland vs Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)

Sunderland are fourth, five points behind leaders Sheffield United, but they can remind their rivals of their promotion credentials with a win over 12th-placed Norwich, who are without a win in three games.

Score prediction: Sunderland 3-1 Norwich

West Brom vs Bristol City (Sunday, 3pm)

West Brom were disappointingly edged out 2-1 by Watford on Sunday but they can respond with a home win over Bristol City, who have drawn their last two games 1-1.

Score prediction: West Brom 1-0 Bristol City