There is a full list of Championship action to consider on Saturday when looking at the weekend coupon. Here we pick out some of the biggest games and assess which way they are likely to go in what is, as ever, one of the tightest leagues around.
After 12 games, just 10 points separate top from 17th, so there really is all to play for as we edge towards the busy winter period.
Leicester v Crystal Palace
The Foxes, as leaders, appear to be finally realising their potential and are living up to their pre-season tag of outright favourites for the title.
Nigel Pearson’s side, 4/7 to win, have claimed victories in six of their last seven Championship games and will take on the Eagles, shorn of their manager after Dougie Freedman’s departure to Bolton this week.
Expect a home win then as Palace, at long odds of 5/1 to win, will be reeling from Freedman’s somewhat unexpected exit (Draw 11/4).
Prediction: Leicester 2 Palace 0 at 6/1
Leeds United v Birmingham
This is a game at Elland Road which sees two well-supported clubs go head-to-head although it is a difficult one to predict.
Leeds (21/20) have been inconsistent but are just six points off the top and are always tough to beat at home.
Blues, 13/5 to win, on the other hand, have been poor overall under new boss Lee Clark and sit just two places and four points clear of the relegation zone.
However, they came back brilliantly from 3-0 down at Millwall in midweek to draw 3-3 to show their character and will look to build on that with a draw in West Yorkshire (23/10), however difficult that will be.
Prediction: Leeds 1 Birmingham 1 at 11/2
Blackburn v Watford
Rovers say they will have a new manager in charge by next week amid reports Harry Redknapp is ambitiously being lined up by the Ewood Park club’s owners.
Fulham first-team coach Billy McKinlay and Tottenham counterpart Tim Sherwood are also in the frame but it will be Eric Black who leads them again at home to Watford, who are on offer at 3/1 with the draw at 12/5.
Rovers got a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the week and should follow that up with another home win in this.
Watford remain frustratingly inconsistent under Gianfranco Zola but will ask questions of Rovers although three points for Black before he again goes back into the shadows is the bet, albeit at a short 10/11.
Prediction: Blackburn 2 Watford 1 at 7/1
Middlesbrough v Bolton
Boro are improving and have the look of a side destined for at least the play-offs this season as they host what could be a rejuvenated Bolton side (13/8) at the Riverside.
Tony Mowbray’s men are now unbeaten in four, having won their last three, and will be confident of seeing off Wanderers (13/8), despite the appointment of Freedman this week.
However, don’t rule out the impact of the ‘new manager bounce’ – even if Freedman is not officially in charge of team affairs this weekend – and back the draw at a tempting 9/4.
Prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Bolton 2 at 14/1
Cardiff v Burnley
Cardiff are again flying high in the Championship in second place as they hope to finally join the top flight after a series of near-misses in the past few years.
They entertain manager-less Burnley and this looks like a home banker, reflected in the unappealing odds of 8/11 for a Bluebirds triumph, while the Clarets are a long 4/1 to win with the draw at 5/2.
Burnley have had two good wins since Eddie Howe left, against Blackpool and in midweek against Bristol City, but this is a much bigger test as they take on the joint leaders.
Cardiff, who have won all six of their home games so far, need to keep the pressure up on the Foxes at the top and nothing other than another three points for Malky Mackay’s men looks the outcome here.
Prediction: Cardiff 3 Burnley 1 at 12/1
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