It’s first v second in the Championship this weekend (QPR 11/10, Draw 23/10, Cardiff 23/10 – Match Betting) and in-form QPR look set to steal a march on their closest challengers, with Cardiff appearing to have hit a slump at a crucial time.
Neil Warnock’s men are currently two points clear at the top and remain unbeaten in the league, although they face their toughest test yet on Saturday.
The R’s (13/10 Championship Outright) have the best defensive record in the league, having conceded just eight goals all season, letting only three in at Loftus Road, so could have the measure off Cardiff’s attacking threat.
The Bluebirds have also held top spot for periods this season but have won just one of their last four matches – which was a 4-2 success at struggling Scunthorpe – and have their work cut out to end their frustrating run this weekend.
At the other end of the table, Millwall look likely to heap more pressure on Darren Ferguson as the Lions seek a second successive away win at Preston.
North End are currently rooted to the bottom and six points from safety and the home fans will be demanding a victory when the Lions visit on Saturday.
After a bright start, Millwall (7/4) have struggled in recent weeks but their 1-0 win at Middlesbrough last weekend will have lifted confidence for another trip north.
Swansea face Portsmouth on Friday night, knowing that a win will move them level on points with Cardiff – for at least 24 hours – and Brendan Rodgers’ men look too strong for the visitors.
A last-gasp equaliser at Doncaster last week maintained a run of just one defeat in 10 league matches and they should be too good for a Pompey squad struggling for numbers at present.
Burnley will welcome a return to home comforts on Saturday and expect the Clarets to put a dent in Derby’s promotion bid.
The Rams, currently fourth, look to be punching above their weight at the moment and they will struggle against a Burnley side who have lost just once at home this term and will be desperate to make up for poor form on the road.
Two former Premier League teams meet at the Riverside, with both Middlesbrough and Hull struggling at the wrong end of the table.
The difference is though that Hull (21/10) appear to be getting their act together, with two wins and a draw in their last three games, while Boro are struggling for any consistency.
With the home fans getting more anxious at the Teessiders bottom-three position, the Tigers will fancy their chances of extending their unbeaten run to four.
Sunday sees the latest East Anglia derby, as Norwich and Ipswich go head-to-head at Carrow Road (Norwich 11/10, Draw 23/10, Ipswich 23/10 – Match Betting).
The Canaries hold local bragging rights at the moment, sitting eighth in the table compared to 13th-placed Town, and they are expected to get the better of their rivals this weekend.
City’s home form is nothing special, but Ipswich look to be on the slide after a decent start to the season – losing their last three games.
Scunthorpe cannot buy a win at home and have lost six of their nine matches at Glanford Park this season, to leave them fifth from bottom. Coventry, fresh from a win over Burnley last weekend, are likely to pile more misery on the Iron on Saturday.
Barnsley entertain Watford on Saturday and with both teams sat in mid-table and with patchy form behind them – don’t be surprised to see a stalemate at Oakwell.
Bristol City’s ‘Jekyll and Hyde’ performances pretty much some up the division and they face another inconsistent team this weekend, when Sheffield United arrive at Ashton Gate – anyone’s guess as to how that will end up!
Leeds’ away record has been impressive, with just two defeats in nine matches away from Elland Road and they will fancy their chances of victory (Leeds 5/2) at Reading, who are also stuck in the mid-table quagmire.
Crystal Palace may still in the bottom three, but they have shown signs of improvement – two wins in the last three and almost won at Sheffield United last week. The Eagles (6/4) look good for a win over Doncaster, who are a different side on their travels compared to at home.
There is a Midlands derby at the Walkers Stadium on Monday night, when Leicester could spring an upset with victory over Nottingham Forest.
Although Forest are 11 places ahead of the Foxes, Sven’s men are resurgent and have not lost at home in the league since the former England manager took charge in mid-October.
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