Preston vs Leeds, 12.30pm – Live on Sky Sports Football
It has been a frustrating spell for Preston. They are in a good position in the table, but because they started the season so well it always feels difficult when it turns a little.
Leeds will be feeling fantastic after their win over Ipswich. They can close the gap to four points, and know that Ipswich have to face Leicester later in the day. Things could get very interesting. Away win, and pressure on the Tractor Boys.
Prediction: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds)
Tuesday 26th December 12:00pm
Kick off 12:30pm
Hull vs Sunderland, 3pm
Hull have been excellent at some stages this season. At others they throw in frustrating performances and end up with results like the ones at Bristol City. But they have a lot of young players, so there will be some inconsistency.
Michael Beale said his debut could have hardly gone worse, and he’s not entirely wrong. The result against Coventry on Saturday was a disaster. He needs his side to hit back quickly, but I think they will be beaten again on Boxing Day.
Prediction: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds)
Southampton vs Swansea, 3pm
Southampton claimed a hard-fought win at QPR on Saturday, and will be feeling pretty good as they look up at Ipswich, who are just seven points ahead of them now. They will want to keep up with Leeds in putting that pressure on.
Swansea took a dramatic late win over Preston in their last game before Christmas. But it is a big ask for them to get anything from St Mary’s. Home win.
Prediction: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds)
West Brom vs Norwich, 3pm
West Brom have just dipped a little in terms of performance in their last couple of games. Carlos Corberan admitted his side deserved to be beaten at Middlesbrough on Saturday, and they need to up their level.
Norwich have climbed up the table again, and the crisis appears to be over under David Wagner. A win here would be a real statement, but I think the spoils will be shared at The Hawthorns.
Prediction: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds)
Birmingham vs Stoke, 5.15pm – Live on Sky Sports Football
Birmingham will be so frustrated that they were unable to hold on at Plymouth, but they were down to 10 players at Home Park, which is a tough enough place to play with 11 at times.
Steven Schumacher began life at Stoke with a relatively drab draw against Millwall, and would probably take another of those at St Andrew’s on Boxing Day. But I have seen enough from Birmingham recently to think they should edge this one.
Prediction: 1-0 (Sky Bet odds)
Tuesday 26th December 5:15pm
Kick off 5:15pm
Ipswich vs Leicester, 7.45pm – Live on Sky Sports Football
This is a big, big game. It has become more important for Ipswich after that result at Leeds. The gap could well be four points over them and Southampton by kick-off. Which feels very slender compared to what it was before.
Leicester will be playing with less pressure. They are sprinting away and I expect them to be champions this season. But I think Ipswich can bounce back here and take a draw.
Prediction: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds)
Tuesday 26th December 7:15pm
Kick off 7:45pm
Remaining Championship predictions (3pm on Boxing Day unless stated)
Millwall vs QPR (1pm): 1-1
Cardiff vs Plymouth: 2-1
Coventry vs Sheffield Wednesday: 1-0
Huddersfield vs Blackburn: 1-2
Rotherham vs Middlesbrough: 0-2
Watford vs Bristol City: 2-1
