Championship Betting Tips: Lively 90 minutes expected at Pride Park | OneFootball

Derby vs Swansea - Entertaining encounter between two play-off chasers

Saturday, 15:00

Derby's home woes continued last weekend as they were beaten at Pride Park by Ipswich. John Eustace's side are far better on their travels, and with back-to-back away games on the horizon, you'd expect them to continue their push for the play-offs over the next few weeks. Nevertheless, Eustace will be determined to find a solution to their issues at Pride Park, where they have managed to pick up just a single victory from their last eight outings.

Although the home fans haven't witnessed much success recently, they rarely get to see their side draw a blank. The East Midlanders have managed to net exactly one goal in each of their last seven here, and they haven't drawn a home blank since September 20th.

They will be without midfielder Lewis Travis for this contest, with the former Blackburn man having been dismissed at the weekend. Eustace is in a healthy position squad-wise and you'd imagine that Oscar Fraulo will come straight into the XI. Sammie Szmodics will also be eligible to make his belated debut here.

The hosts defence is starting to look a little depleted with Zetterstrom, Langas, Sanderson and Johnston all unavailable, which could make them vulnerable against their in-form visitors.

Swansea have been in terrific form lately and have switched from relegation outsiders to potential top six material. They've won three of their last four and are scoring freely. Van Zipotnik is enjoying a sensational season with the Slovenian, even managing to add explosive free-kicks to his repertoire.

Admittedly, their fixture list has been relatively kind, but they are brimming with confidence and they should be able to continue their ascent. They've found the net in each of their last eight and they should be able to take full advantage of Derby's defensive absentees on Saturday.

Portsmouth vs Sheffield United - Pompey to frustrate the Blades

Saturday, 15:00

Portsmouth are just a point above the relegation zone, yet Pompey fans will point to the fact that they have at least two games in hand on the majority of their rivals. Furthermore, their home form is solid and they have become incredibly tough to beat at Fratton Park. They were the better side at Deepdale at the weekend, but struggled on the substandard pitch and failed to convert some presentable chances.

Here, they are unbeaten in their last five, a run which stretches back to November 29th and haven't conceded more than a single goal in a match at Fratton Park since October 21st. Although they have some players potentially returning to the fold over the next few weeks, John Mousinho has managed to find solutions with Jacob Brown leading the line diligently in the absence of Colby Bishop and Millenic Alli happy to play a variety of roles.

Sheffield United were beaten by Middlesbrough on Monday night, ending their unbeaten sequence at Bramall Lane. They have added plenty of strength-in-depth throughout January, although they will be without Joe Rothwell for this one. The Blades' play-off hopes probably ended on Monday, and they are unlikely to be dragged into the relegation mire.

Their away form has been a little troublesome, winning just one of their last six. Although they aren't conceding heavily on the road, they have struggled to fashion chances, scoring just once in their last three away trips. This will not be easy for Chris Wilder's side and they will need to be ready to battle on Saturday afternoon. They look a bit short at 6/5.

Preston vs Watford - Game of tight margins at Deepdale

Saturday, 15:00

Preston were indebted to David Cornell's reflexes last weekend with their second-choice goalkeeper making four crucial saves to earn his side all three points against Portsmouth. PNE have managed to wrestle back some control, avoiding defeat in each of their last two games, following a run of three straight defeats.

Unfortunately, their pitch is borderline unplayable and although that may not be considered an issue for fairly direct sides, it is proving a nuisance to anyone wishing to get the ball down play.

In the last two games, they've proven effective at putting up the barricades and defending for their lives. At the other end of the pitch, they've struggled with an xG of just 0.57 against Pompey. New signing Milos Lukovic looks a long way off the pace and will need time to adapt to the second tier, although Andy Moran has a better chance of making a start in this one.

Watford appointed Edward Still this week as Javi Gracia's successor. Charlie Daniels is being maintained amongst the coaching staff for some continuity, with the Hornets having performed relatively well under the former Bournemouth defender. Many fans have already written off the new manager before a ball has been kicked and he will be keen to prove them wrong.

Very little is known about the style of play that is likely to be deployed by the 35-year-old, however, he does have some talented players at his disposal. Assuming Daniels still possesses a heavy influence on proceedings, the visitors should be clever enough to take at least a point back to Hertfordshire.

QPR vs Blackburn - R's to lean on their strong home form

Saturday, 15:00

It's been hard to know what to make of QPR recently. They have had plenty of injury issues, particularly in forward areas, and apart from their late collapse against Wrexham, they have managed to remain unbeaten in five of their last six. Yet, there have been several occasions, particularly away from home, where they have looked lethargic and short of ideas.

At Loftus Road, they've been fairly dependable this year, possessing an 8-2-5 record in West London. They also tend to score goals in front of their own fans, notching 2+ in seven of their last eight. Remarkably, they haven't conceded a first-half goal at Loftus Road since November 22nd.

In this game, they should be able to exert some control in central midfield with Nicholas Madsen enjoying a tremendous campaign, and he'll take his place alongside the vastly experienced Isaac Hayden. Ronnie Edwards is re-finding his feet at the club, and Steve Cook is going through an injury-free spell.

Blackburn are still hunting for a new manager at the time of writing. Although they've been battling well, they have managed to collect just four points from a possible 18 and occupy the final relegation spot. Todd Cantwell aside, their squad lacks x-factor courtesy of two underwhelming transfer windows.

They will look to keep the score down in this one, so it may take a while for the hosts to find a way through. Assuming QPR grab the first goal of the game once again, they are unlikely to let that lead slip.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Millwall - Lions to battle their way past the undercooked Owls

Saturday, 15:00

When you consider the strength of Millwall's away form, it is remarkable to see that they have taken just a single point from their three trips to the current bottom four. They also managed just a point away at Charlton, who sit 19th in the table. Alex Neil's side are fresh from beating Wrexham in their own backyard and they simply cannot follow that super result with an underwhelming display at Hillsborough this weekend.

Sheffield Wednesday are yet to score a goal in 2026 and have been consigned to their fate since mid-October. They haven't managed to add some bodies to their squad in January, but the departure of Yan Valery is yet another blow for the Owls. They haven't made it easy for visiting sides recently, showing plenty of fight in the first half against Wrexham and restricting Birmingham until the 83rd minute.

Millwall have plenty of talent in their squad, including the returning Barry Bannan. Femi Azeez has looked electric since returning to the XI and Camiel Neghli seems to be hitting some form, too.

The visitors can't afford to take this lightly and they may have to be patient. They should end their winless record on the road against the bottom six sides.

Coventry vs Middlesbrough - Boro to potentially go five points clear at the summit

Monday, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports Football

Coventry's poor run of form has allowed Middlesbrough to take their spot as Championship leaders. The Sky Blues will have an opportunity to wrestle back control on Monday night in front of the TV cameras. Frank Lampard's side have struggled to deal with the pressure of being long-time pacesetters, however, they may fare better as the chasers.

Their home form has been strong all season, yet they weren't able to find a way past Oxford last time out and they come into this game without a win in three. Ephron Mason-Clark's injury is a blow, and the suspension of Brandon Thomas-Asante hasn't helped them in the final third, and neither will return for this Monday night fixture.

Middlesbrough have been transformed under Kim Hellberg. The players look fitter, sharper and seem willing to take more risks. Morgan Whittaker is playing with his head up, and Tommy Conway cannot stop scoring since being praised by Hellberg in his pre-match press conference. At the back, they've looked far more organised since Adilson Malanda arrived from the US.

Very few teams are able to win seven matches on the bounce, yet this Boro side look unstoppable on current form. Going to Bramall Lane is not an easy task and they looked in full control throughout the majority of that contest. They should be able to maintain parity at the summit, as a minimum.