Cardiff City v Watford (Sat 3pm)

It’s 3rd v 6th at the Cardiff City Stadium and it’s the visitors who look like the team on an upward curve, as they set their sights on a top-two place. Malky Mackay’s men have surprised many so far this term and wins at QPR, Norwich and Sheffield United have shown there are serious promotion contenders.

The Hornets hammered Cardiff 4-1 at Vicarage Road last month and with 15-goal striker Danny Graham in hot form, can extend their unbeaten run to ten games this weekend.

Match Bet: Graham to score anytime @ 7/4

Derby v Nottingham Forest (Sat 1pm)

The East Midlands rivals meet for the second time in a month, with Forest looking to do the double over the Rams after a crushing 5-2 win at the City Ground.

Billy Davies’ men look to have found their stride and should prove too strong for a Derby team that has won just one of their last nine matches.

Match Bet: Forest to win @ 6/4

Reading v Hull City (Sat 3pm)

Two of the most improved teams in the division meet at the Madejski Stadium – Reading have lost just one of their last 12, while Hull have suffered just one loss in 11 league games.

The two teams, both serious promotion contenders, played out a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture on December 28 and there is likely to be nothing to split them again this time.

Match Bet: 1-1 Correct Score @ 11/2

Barnsley v Swansea (Sat 3pm)

Second-placed Swansea have been another of the surprise packages this season, having forced their way into the top two. The Swans have built their success on strong form at the Liberty Stadium with the most home wins of any team (nine), but their away form also stands up to scrutiny.

Brendan Rodgers’ men look too powerful for a Barnsley team slipping down the table and that have lost their key man Adam Hammill to Wolves this week.

Match Bet: HT-Draw FT-Swansea @ 7/2

Portsmouth v Leeds (Sat 3pm)

Pompey have lost their last four games since these two teams drew 3-3 at Elland Road, with their home form a concern following just four wins in 11 games.

Leeds may have gone out of the FA Cup to Arsenal in midweek but their display is only likely to further boost confidence. Simon Grayson will be aware that a win at Fratton Park and other results going their way could see Leeds move up to second.

Match Bet: Leeds to win @ 6/4

QPR v Coventry (Sun 1.15pm)

The league leaders have further strengthened their squad this week, including the loan capture of Newcastle’s Wayne Routledge, which will be a concern for their rivals.

Coventry’s winter flirtation with the play-offs now seems a distant memory and with no wins in their last seven league games, the Sky Blues look unlikely to become only the second team to beat the R’s at Loftus Road this season.

Match Bet: A Goal in Both Halves @ 8/13

Ipswich v Doncaster (Sat 3pm)

Paul Jewell takes charge of his first home game as Ipswich manager and it looks on paper like it might be a winning beginning at Portman Road. The Tractor Boys may have slipped to defeat at Millwall last week, but there have been signs of improvement in recent weeks.

Doncaster, meanwhile, have lost their last two games 5-0 and 3-0 and have struggled on their travels – with just three wins away from the Keepmoat.

Match Bet: Ipswich to win @ 6/5

Middlesbrough v Preston (Sat 3pm)

These two teams looked doomed when they met at Deepdale last month, but a 3-1 win for Boro that day helped them on the way to pulling four points clear of the drop zone.

North End are still rooted to the bottom of the table though, with new boss Phil Brown looking to inspire. If fit, Nathan Ellington looks a decent addition to the Preston ranks.

Match Bet: Draw @ 13/5

Crystal Palace v Bristol City (Sat 3pm)

Both of these teams look set for a battle to stay in the division between now and May, having been very inconsistent to date.

Despite being in the bottom three, Palace’s home form is decent and with City beaten 0-4 by Middlesbrough and 0-3 by League One Sheffield Wednesday in their last two games, the points look to be there for the taking for the Eagles.

Match Bet: Palace to win @ Evens

Sheffield United v Norwich (Sat 3pm)

The Blades are in real danger of slipping into the English football’s third tier, but there does seem to be a chink of light at the end of the very long tunnel. Two draws, against Doncaster and Coventry, indicate Micky Adams is slowly turning the tide.

Norwich may be 17 points ahead of their Yorkshire opponents, but they haven’t won in their last three games, which includes a cup shock against Leyton Orient.

Match Bet: HT-Draw FT-Sheff Utd @ 9/2

Leicester v Millwall (Sat 3pm)

The Foxes have made further additions to their squad in the last week as they look to make a concerted attempt to reach the play-offs.

Who would have thought Millwall would have been four places and three points above Leicester at this stage? But under Sven Goran Eriksson, the Foxes have been hard to beat at home and have lost just twice at the Walkers Stadium all season.

Match Bet: Both Teams to Score @ 8/11

Scunthorpe v Burnley (Sat 5.20pm)

New manager syndrome looks like being a major factor at Glanford Park, as Eddie Howe takes charge of Burnley for the first time. Brian Laws lost his job with the Clarets still in touch with those in the play-off places and Howe will want to hit the ground running.

Where better to start that at Scunthorpe, who have won just once at home all season, although their last three points came at Burnley in the reverse fixture.

Match Bet: Burnley to win @ 21/20

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