- Sunderland sit top of the standings despite drawing their last two games
- Portsmouth and QPR are chasing just their second league wins of the season
- The first Steel City derby since 2019 takes place on Sunday

There is another full programme of Championship action to look forward to this weekend, highlighted by the first Steel City derby in over five years.

Watford vs Oxford (Friday, 8pm)

Watford have taken 16 points from a possible 18 on home soil this season and should prove too strong for poor travellers Oxford, who are yet to win on the road since returning to the second tier.

Score prediction: 2-0

Cardiff vs Blackburn (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Cardiff were beaten at Luton during the week, but they have won all four of their home matches under interim boss Omer Riza and can edge past a Blackburn side that have lost three on the bounce and have failed to score in four.

Score prediction: 1-0

Middlesbrough vs Luton (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Middlesbrough's home form is patchy — they lost 3-0 against Coventry in their last match at the Riverside — and they may have to settle for a point against a Luton side showing signs of improvement after taking four points from their last two fixtures.

Score prediction: 2-2

Stoke vs Millwall (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Millwall are the Championship's form side, winning each of their last four games and recording back-to-back successes over Burnley and Leeds. Stoke have been good at home of late but may struggle to quell the Lions' roar.

Score prediction: 1-2

Derby vs Plymouth (Saturday, 3pm)

Derby have won four of their six home games since returning to the second tier and should be able to swat aside the Championship's poorest travellers Plymouth, making it an unhappy return to Pride Park for Wayne Rooney.

Score prediction: 4-1

Leeds vs QPR (Saturday, 3pm)

After seeing their eight-match unbeaten run ended by Millwall during the week, Leeds will be determined to bounce back against struggling QPR, whose only win came back in August and they have failed to score in three successive road matches.

Score prediction: 3-0

Norwich vs Bristol City (Saturday, 3pm)

No team has drawn more home games than Norwich in the Championship this season, while Bristol City have had the joint-most stalemates overall in the division. A share of the spoils at Carrow Road should surprise no one.

Score prediction: 1-1

Portsmouth vs Preston (Saturday, 3pm)

Portsmouth and Preston are both without a win in four league games and those records could be extended on Saturday, with Pompey drawing two of their last three on home soil and North End sharing the spoils in three of their previous four.

Score prediction: 0-0

Sunderland vs Coventry (Saturday, 3pm)

League leaders Sunderland have been held to back-to-back goalless draws but they should be able to edge past managerless Coventry, who parted ways with long-serving boss Mark Robins following a midweek loss to Derby.

Score prediction: 1-0

Sheffield United vs Sheffield Wednesday (Sunday, 12.30pm)

The first Steel City derby in over five years should go the way of Sheffield United, who have taken 16 points from 18 available on home soil this season and have won five on the bounce without even conceding at Bramall Lane. Sheffield Wednesday could be in for a tough afternoon.

Score prediction: 2-0

Hull vs West Brom (Sunday, 1pm)

Do not expect a classic at the MKM Stadium, with each of Hull's last six games going under the 2.5 goal mark, while West Brom have drawn six matches on the bounce, four of which have finished 0-0.

Score prediction: 0-0

Burnley vs Swansea (Sunday, 3pm)

The Championship's meanest defence will host the lowest scorers in the division, but despite their struggles in front of goal, Swansea have won two on the bounce and can both score and avoid defeat when they visit a stuttering Burnley side that are without a win in four.

Score prediction: 1-1