Championship Predictions - Week 9
- Table-toppers Sunderland host title rivals Leeds
- Portsmouth eye their first league win of the season at home to Oxford
- Burnley host Preston in a Lancashire derby
The Championship action continues across Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with no less than 12 matches to get stuck into.
Sunderland vs Leeds (Friday, 8pm)
Sunderland have a one-point lead at the Championship summit and home form has been a huge reason for their impressive start, with the Black Cats winning all four matches at the Stadium of Light to nil.
Hosting a Leeds side hampered by injuries, Regis Le Bris's side can chalk up another win on Wearside.
Score prediction: Sunderland 2-1 Leeds
Burnley vs Preston (Saturday, 12.30pm)
Burnley are on a five-game unbeaten streak and they should have enough to overcome Lancashire rivals Preston, who last triumphed away from home in the Championship in March.
Score prediction: Burnley 3-1 Preston
Norwich vs Hull (Saturday, 12.30pm)
Norwich and Hull are both in impressive form, taking seven and nine points respectively from their last three matches and they may cancel each other out in an entertaining contest.
Score prediction: Norwich 2-2 Hull
Portsmouth vs Oxford (Saturday, 12.30pm)
Portsmouth are the only side yet to register a Championship win this season and they were thrashed 6-1 at Stoke in midweek.
Visitors Oxford have lost just one of their last five assignments and they could secure a crucial three points at Fratton Park.
Score prediction: Portsmouth 1-2 Oxford
Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)
Coventry defeated Blackburn 3-0 at home in midweek and they can keep that winning feeling when hosting a Sheffield Wednesday side that have picked up just one away point this season.
Score prediction: Coventry 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Derby vs QPR (Saturday, 3pm)
Derby have lost three games in a row and now welcome a QPR side that are without a win in their last five games in all competitions. A share of the spoils is expected in this meeting.
Score prediction: Derby 1-1 QPR
Plymouth vs Blackburn (Saturday, 3pm)
Blackburn suffered their first league defeat of the season last time out and they may have to settle for a point at Home Park against Plymouth, who have beaten Sunderland and Luton in their last two home matches.
Score prediction: Plymouth 2-2 Blackburn
Sheffield United vs Luton (Saturday, 3pm)
Sheffield United are unbeaten in the league and their rock-solid defence, which has seen them keep five clean sheets in a row, can help them overcome a Luton side hovering just above the relegation zone.
Score prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Luton
Swansea vs Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)
Stoke roared into life with a 6-1 win over Portsmouth in midweek but they may find life tougher when they head to Swansea, who are undefeated from four Championship matches at home this season.
Score prediction: Swansea 2-1 Stoke
Watford vs Middlesbrough (Saturday, 3pm)
Middlesbrough are building momentum with two wins on the bounce and they can make it a hat-trick when they travel to a Watford side that have tasted success just once from their last six outings in all competitions.
Score prediction: Watford 0-1 Middlesbrough
West Brom vs Millwall (Saturday, 3pm)
West Brom are on a two-game losing run but they can respond with all three points at the expense of Millwall, who have amassed just two points from four away league games this term.
Score prediction: West Brom 2-0 Millwall
Bristol City vs Cardiff (Sunday, 3pm)
Eight of Bristol City's 10 points have come at home this season and they can add another three to that tally when hosting a Cardiff side that have lost five of their last six away games in the league and sit bottom of the table.
Score prediction: Bristol City 3-1 Cardiff