Eight Championship clubs do battle on Tuesday night with Burnley’s trip to second-placed Cardiff the undoubted highlight as the season prepares to reach boiling point.

Cardiff v Burnley

A win for the Bluebirds will see them close the gap on leaders Queens Park Rangers back to three points while a Clarets victory would keep the visitors in touch with the play-off places.

It’s hard to see past Cardiff in this one, given the fact only Nottingham Forest and fierce rivals Swansea have left Cardiff City Stadium with maximum returns this season.

Dave Jones’ side’s home form, coupled with Burnley’s paltry return of just three wins on the road, points to a City win, but Burnley have picked up seven draws away from home and have a decent defensive record.

Take Draw/Cardiff – Half-Time/Full-Time @ 7/2

Watford v Preston

Preston’s decision to replace Darren Ferguson with Phil Brown has made no impact and North End make the trip to Vicarage Road propping up the division.

Ten points adrift, the Deepdale side appear to be doomed while further up the table the Hornets need to make their games in hand count if they are going to make inroads towards the top six.

The sides have not met so far this season in the Championship – the reverse fixture takes place on the final day – but Watford took four points from the games last term.

Take Watford to win 2-0 @ 11/2

Doncaster v Ipswich

Unlike Preston, Ipswich have seen an upturn in fortunes since the appointment of a new boss in Paul Jewell and they head to the Keepmoat on the back of a four-match unbeaten run in the Championship.

The revival is likely to keep the Tractor Boys away from relegation trouble but there is simply too much ground to make up in terms of the top six.

Doncaster in 16th are a place and a point worse off than Town but have seen their colours lowered just four times on home soil and Jewell’s side might not have the firepower to see them off.

Take the draw @ 23/10

Sheffield United v Reading
United are deep in the relegation mire after managing just seven wins in 30 attempts and they come up against a Royals outfit looking to keep their slim play-off hopes alive.

So there is plenty at stake at Bramall Lane for both sides, with recently appointed Blades chief Micky Adams yet to taste victory in eight attempts.

The home side also have a poor record against sides in the top half this term – Reading are currently 12th – so Adams run could well continue for at least another game.

Take Reading to score in both halves @ 13/5

Suggested accumulator: Cardiff, Watford and Reading.

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