Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton take a look ahead at Gameweek 28 in the Sky Bet Championship, predicting the results of every fixture; listen to the podcast below or via any of your regular podcast providers
Thursday 18 January 2024 17:17, UK
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Michael Beale needed a response at Ipswich after that defeat to Newcastle. Sunderland took the lead but couldn’t hold it, and the pressure is already building a little. Even though they are still very well placed in the league.
As are Hull City. Although they are in a poor bit of form themselves, with four defeats from five. Injuries have cost them a little and you could see against Norwich they just lacked that clinical touch. But I saw enough to make me think they can get a win here and cause a few rumblings at the Stadium of Light.
Prediction: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds)
Luke Williams would have been frustrated not to kick off with a win at Birmingham, having seen his Swansea side take the lead twice and then concede such a late equaliser. But there were good signs there in that performance.
Southampton are marching forward at a menacing pace. They brushed Sheffield Wednesday aside and could move back into second for at least a couple of days with a victory here, turning the pressure valve up on Ipswich again. It might be close here and I fancy goals, but it’s a Saints win for me.
Prediction: 2-3 (Sky Bet odds)
Norwich have some brilliant players in their squad, and Jonathan Rowe proved his class again with that fantastic solo effort against Hull City last week. You wonder where they would be without him this season. Certainly not two points off the play-offs at this stage.
West Brom bounced back to winning ways with a thrashing of Blackburn last weekend. They just need to keep picking up points as there are a queue of sides now outside the top six. Score draw here for me.
Prediction: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds)
Sheffield Wednesday were flattened at Southampton last week, and it doesn’t get much easier here as in-form Coventry visit Hillsborough. The Owls are four off safety heading into the weekend.
Coventry took advantage of that Leicester red card to continue their fine form last week, It is just one defeat in 11 now, and they have done just what they did last season - but even a little earlier. They will be confident of another win here.
Prediction: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds)
Things are looking a little rosier for Leeds now after back-to-back wins. It is great to see Patrick Bamford back in the goals after some of his difficulties in the last couple of years. We know how good he can be, and he’ll be a real asset as we approach the business end of the season.
Preston took a great win against Bristol City last time out - albeit the Robins may have had one eye on their replay with West Ham - and need to build on that if they are to push on back towards the top six. Elland Road isn’t an ideal trip to try and build momentum, though. Home win.
Prediction: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds)
Leicester suffered a setback at Coventry last weekend, but they won’t be too worried yet, as they still possess such a big gap over the chasing pack. And it won’t be every week they end up with 10 players against such tough opposition.
Ipswich grabbed a huge win against Sunderland last week. They badly needed that after a dip in form, and will need another win here if they are to keep the likes of Southampton and Leeds at bay. Draw here and a few goals.
Prediction: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds)
Blackburn vs Huddersfield: 2-0
Bristol City vs Watford: 2-2
Middlesbrough vs Rotherham: 2-1
Plymouth vs Cardiff: 1-1
QPR vs Millwall: 2-2
Stoke vs Birmingham: 2-2
