Championship Tips: Tractor Boys to continue their upward trajectory at the Kassam | OneFootball

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Oxford vs Ipswich - McKenna's men to extend their unbeaten sequence

Friday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

Oxford showed plenty of grit to continue battling throughout the 90 minutes at Carrow Road, and they were duly rewarded with an injury time equaliser from Filip Krastev. Gary Rowett spoke pre-match about getting back to basics, working hard and keeping things tight. His side made it tough for the hosts, although Norwich's lack of confidence in the final third was also noticeable. The Yellows are winless in five, and the absence of Cameron Brannagan is a blow, yet I don't expect them to roll over and make it easy for the in-form visitors.

With the exception of their 3-0 collapse against Stoke, the majority of matches at the Kassam have been tight affairs. Two of their three defeats have been by a 1-0 scoreline and they have take a point off two of the current top three.

Ipswich's superb form continued in midweek as Keiran McKenna's side picked up maximum points at the MKM. Hull are far from a soft touch and the Tractor Boys worked hard to earn three points, turning the tie in their favour during the second half. They clocked up an xG of 2.85, creating three big chances and limiting the Tigers to half chances.

They've won each of the last three on the road, scoring ten goals in the process. This won't be easy and they will need to match the performance levels that they displayed in midweek. Their talented squad should be able to cope with this quick turnaround.

Leicester vs Sheffield United - Blades to remain unbeaten

Saturday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Marti Cifuentes was disappointed with his side's approach on Tuesday night as he watched Leicester's three-match unbeaten run come to an end. Leicester were second best throughout the contest and weren't helped by Olabade Aluko's sending off. The Foxes have a few injuries to contend with, although Luke Thomas will return from suspension for this lunchtime fixture.

The hosts haven't won enough games at the KP this season and have recorded just a single victory here since August 29th. Three of their last five games at home have ended 1-1, and they will need to improve on their xG of 0.44 at St. Marys. Some fans have complained that the squad doesn't look fit enough and is a little one-dimensional. Although Cifuentes isn't under any serious pressure, the supporters will not be satisfied with a mid-table finish.

Sheffield United have found their groove and are slowing clambering to safety. The Blades are finally out of the relegation zone, having kept three consecutive clean sheets and taking seven points from a possible nine. Admittedly, they've faced their crisis-hit neighbours and were given a helping hand by Terry Devlin's dismissal in midweek. This is likely to be a bit tough.

They have netted in each of their last four on the road and should be able to find a way past the hosts, who are clearly low on confidence.

Portsmouth vs Bristol City - Entertaining clash at Fratton Park

Saturday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports+ App

Portsmouth were soundly beaten in midweek by Sheffield United, although Terry Devlin's red card was a catalyst for the defeat. John Mousinho decided to focus on this weekend's game by subbing key players such as Josh Murphy and Colby Bishop to protect them for this home fixture. Mousinho has been good at managing the squad, and having suffered an absurd number of injuries this season, he's had to carefully manage the minutes of his squad.

Fratton Park isn't an easy place to visit and they will make it tough for Bristol City on Saturday lunchtime. They have struggled with set-pieces in recent weeks, and they could be susceptible this weekend.

Bristol City were deservedly beaten by Wrexham in midweek, although they were wasteful. As well as having a goal disallowed, both Haydon Roberts and Anis Mehmeti missed presentable opportunities. Gerhard Struber was disappointed with his side's performance, and will be hoping for a response. The Robins have only lost back-to-back games once this season and I expect them to be competitive.

Stoke vs Hull - Potters to clinch consecutive home successes

Saturday, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports Football

Stoke swept aside Charlton with a first-half blitz in Staffordshire. That victory moved the Potters back up to second in the Championship table and provided the perfect response to back-to-back defeats. Mark Robins was pleased with his side's performance, although they didn't need to get out of second gear and were comfortable throughout. Sorba Thomas was key to their triumph although Eric Bocat and Tatsuki Seko also caught the eye with their performances.

Only two sides have won at this ground, including leaders Coventry and this is the ideal schedule for the hosts, who have back-to-back home games to cap off a hectic three-game week. They've conceded just five times at this venue and although Hull have been dangerous going forward, they could find it tough to break down the hosts.

Hull were defeated at home to Ipswich and produced an xG of just 0.5. Their last two performances have been less than satisfactory and with a combined xG of 1.72, their level of creation has started to dwindle. At the other end of the pitch, they're still giving away chances and have conceded 2+ goals in each of their last four. This is a tough trip for the men from Humberside.

Coventry vs Charlton - Sky Blues to cruise to victory at the CBS

Saturday, 15:00

Coventry went ten points clear at the top of the table with an emphatic victory over their nearest challengers Middlesbrough. The Sky Blues have proven their credentials with notable victories over Boro and Stoke in recent weeks and despite injuries with Haji Wright and Brandon Thomas-Asante, who went off in midweek, Frank Lampard's men have continued to be clinical.

Defensively, there is room for improvements, yet they are formidable in the final third and should be able to find a way past Charlton's patched-up defence. With Wright and Thomas-Asante on the treatment table, Ellis Simms and Ephron Mason-Clark will shoulder the goalscoring burden over the coming weeks.

Simms has performed in fits and starts since joining the club, yet he looked sharp on Tuesday night and has netted in each of his last two.

Charlton have suffered back-to-back defeats and Nathan Jones will be keen for his side to respond positively. They have injuries at the back, although Amari Bell's return is a boost. They will work hard, but there's a chance they will be outclassed in this one.

Middlesbrough vs Derby - BTTS at the Riverside

Saturday, 15:00

Kim Hellberg will take responsibility on Saturday and his first game at the Riverside is against Derby County. Despite sitting third, Boro's form has dropped off throughout November with the Teessiders winning just one of their last six. Their biggest issue has been defensive injuries with Dael Fry's absence being keenly felt in the north east. Luke Ayling has struggled in central defence and Sammy Silvera isn't a natural left-back in a four. Aidan Morris went off injured on Tuesday night, and the American midfielder is another blow for Hellberg, who has inherited a patched-up squad.

Boro haven't struggled at the other end of the field, netting twice in each of their last two home games, but keeping the opposition off the scoresheet with a makeshift back-line could be tough.

Derby bounced back from their defeat to Watford with a 2-1 success at the Swansea City Stadium. That's six wins in their last seven and despite the injury to Carlton Morris, they still have plenty of threats. They've netted 2+ goals in each of their last five, although they've failed to keep a clean sheet in any of those fixtures.

Millwall vs Southampton - Saints to punish the Lions

Saturday, 15:00

Millwall ended their winless run with a 1-0 success against struggling Sheffield Wednesday. That game, which was played 24 hours after Southampton's victory over Leicester, was an easy assignment for the Lions, yet this is expected to be much tougher. Having taken just two points from their previous four, it was a much-needed success for Alex Neil's side, although the majority of their recent fixtures have been on the road.

They've dropped points against Preston, Oxford and Portsmouth recently, and they have taken just four points from a possible 18 when facing the current top ten.

Southampton continue to go from strength-to-strength with Tonda Eckert getting the best out of his talented squad. Taylor Harwood-Bellis acknowledged that the caretaker boss has released the shackles and the players are enjoying their football again. They have been playing with more dynamism, and have also looked dangerous from set-pieces. Leo Scienza has looked imperious and although he hasn't got himself onto the scoresheet, he has been key to creating chances. He should be able to dance around the Millwall defence on Saturday afternoon.

Norwich vs QPR - Visitors to continue their superb away form

Saturday, 15:00

Norwich are still waiting for their first home victory of the season. They were cruelly denied three points in midweek, conceding an injury time goal to Filip Krastev. Philippe Clement was disappointed with the outcome and felt that his side deserved to take all three points, although the enormity of the Belgian's task has become evident. The Canaries did look sharper going forward, although Josh Sargent desperately needs a goal, with the US international spurning a couple of opportunities in midweek.

The hosts are deep in the relegation mire and although they are expected to strengthen in January, they cannot afford to be cut adrift by the time the transfer window opens.

QPR picked up a victory on the road on Wednesday night, clinching consecutive victories for the first time since September. They have been far more efficient away from Loftus Road this season, winning four of the last seven and conceding just four times since the 7-1 hammering at Coventry. They've taken 23 points away from home since the beginning of April, more than any other Championship side and this appears to be the ideal fixture for Julian Stephan's side.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Preston - Owls' small squad to struggle with the fast turnaround

Saturday, 15:00

It's been another gruelling week for Sheffield Wednesday with the Owls suffering back-to-back defeats in the space of four days. The Owls were outclassed by Sheffield United before struggling to contain Millwall at the Den on Wednesday night. They've had a day less to prepare for this fixture than the visitors and their small squad could find it difficult to match the energy levels of the Lilywhites.

They hit the woodwork twice in midweek and Charlie McNeill looked sharp throughout the 90 minutes. There is no shortage of effort and endeavour, but with the majority of players spending a full 90 minutes on the pitch, energy levels tend to fade in the closing stages.

Preston took a point from Watford on Tuesday night and are back on the road here. Paul Heckingbottom's side have lost just twice on their travels this season and won't be easy to beat. PNE aren't likely to run away with this, but they should have enough to edge past the spirited hosts.

West Brom vs Swansea - Mason to earn a reprieve at the Hawthorns

Saturday, 15:00

West Brom were unfortunate to only take a point from their midweek derby with Birmingham. The Baggies wasted chances, and spurned a couple of golden opportunities. Ryan Mason is desperate for a victory, although the rookie boss has been heavily criticised for his defensive in-game changes. He is still learning his trade and his side are highly unlikely to slip into a relegation battle anytime soon, however, a fair few fans have called for his head this week.

WBA tend to strong at the Hawthorns, and are unbeaten here since September 13th. No side has managed to notch more than a single goal at this venue and they will find a way to thwart Swansea on Saturday. Aune Heggebo's inclusion in the XI helps to knit everything together and if they can get Isaac Price and Mikey Johnston firing once more, they should start to climb the table.

Vitor Matos got off to an inauspicious start with a 2-1 loss at home to Derby. He must find a way to arrest their slide, with the Swans having suffered four consecutive defeats. The squad looks a little unbalanced, and he may need to go back to basics in order to progress. They've won just twice on the road this season, with one of those successes coming against rock-bottom Sheffield Wednesday.

Wrexham vs Blackburn - Tight and cagey affair in North Wales

Saturday, 15:00

Wrexham are on the march and are just a couple of points outside the top six. Phil Parkinson's men have clicked into gear and have lost just once since September 13th. The hosts shuffled the pack in midweek and the decision to bring Nathan Broadhead into the XI paid off. They have tremendous depth to the squad and the back three of Hyam, Cleworth and Scarr has found some stability. At home, they've been formidable, replicating last season's form at the Racecourse. They have won each of their last four here, a run which includes defeating league leaders Coventry.

They've managed to keep clean sheets in three of their last four home games, and are yet to be breached in November, home or away.

Blackburn suffered a defeat at Ewood Park on Wednesday night. They have struggled at home all season, yet they've been effective on their travels. They've won each of their last three on the road and should make it tough for the in-form hosts. They are likely to create chances here, yet they are likely to come against a determined Dominic Hyam, who will be hoping for thwart his former employers.

Birmingham vs Watford - Absorbing Monday night encounter in the West Midlands

Monday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

Birmingham picked up a point at the Hawthorns in midweek and showed plenty of determination to fight back. Nevertheless, Chris Davies' side also gave away plenty of opportunities and struggled to contain the hosts at times. Tomoki Iwata has been deputising at right-back and he has struggled with his defensive duties, however, he is suspended for this fixture and Davies will be forced to shuffle his defensive pack once again.

At home, the Blues have been a completely different beast, scoring for fun. They have netted exactly four goals in each of their last three here and the combination of Marvin Ducksh and Jay Stansfield has looked potent. They should create plenty of chances once against and Watford aren't renowned for keeping clean sheets.

The Hornets dropped points yet again in midweek, drawing 1-1 at home to Preston. They have a young side, which is undoubtedly talented, but struggles with game management at times. The return of Giorgi Chakvetadze is a significant boost and the playmaker may be given some minutes on Monday night. The visitors are unbeaten in their last five and have found the net in each of their last three on the road. They should play their part in an entertaining affair.