Midweek Championship Tips: Sensational South Yorkshire derby awaits

• Entertaining evening at Bramall Lane
• Sky Blues to continue their ascent
• R's to bounce back

Blades and Millers to go on the attack

Sheffield United 1.454/9 v Rotherham 8.88/1; The Draw 4.94/1

Tuesday 19:45

Sheffield United produced a scintillating attacking performance at the weekend, sticking five past leaders Burnley at Bramall Lane. Having looked ponderous in midweek, this was the perfect response from Paul Heckingbottom's side and he will be hoping that his troops still have plenty in reserve ahead of Tuesday night's South Yorkshire derby.

The Blades produced an xG of 4.3 on Saturday lunchtime and also created several chances against Norwich in their previous encounter at this venue. Having faced the Clarets, the Canaries and WBA across the last couple of weeks, they should find this contest a little easier.

With Oli McBurnie looking sharp, Illiman N'Diaye full of energy and Anel Ahmedhodzic having returned to full fitness, the hosts look ready to pick up three points and replace Burnley at the summit of the Championship table.

Rotherham's performances under Matt Taylor have been extremely enjoyable to watch. The Millers more than matched Norwich for large parts of the game on Saturday and having produced an xG of 1.6, they aren't afraid to attack. Their displays on the road have been weaker, however, they have netted in three of their last four away games and with Chiedozie Ogbene back in the XI, they will look to cause Sheffield United problems down the flanks.

Injury-hit Hatters to test the Potters

Stoke 2.35/4 v Luton 3.55/2; The Draw 3.412/5

Tuesday 19:45

Luton's defence has been obliterated by injuries and suspensions over the last couple of weeks and travelling Hatters fans won't have enjoyed seeing Dan Potts hobble off the field at Bloomfield Road. Nevertheless, Gabe Osho returns from suspension and is likely to partner James Bree and Tom Lockyer at the back.

Regardless of their personnel issues, the Hatters are still managing to pick up points and they have now won five of their last seven away matches. They somehow kept Blackpool off the scoresheet at the weekend and they'll be keen to make it five clean sheets from six on the road here.

Stoke's problems at home continued at the weekend as they slipped up against Birmingham. The Potters have now lost four of their last five matches including each of their last three matches at this venue. They are likely to struggle against such savvy travellers.

Sky Blues to triumph once again

Coventry 2.0811/10 v Wigan 43/1; The Draw 3.613/5

Tuesday 19:45

Following an understandably slow start to the season, Coventry have improved considerably and are slowly beginning to put some distance between themselves and the bottom three. Mark Robins' side are exceptionally well-organised and they managed to keep Watford off the scoresheet on Saturday afternoon.

They've conceded just 18 times in their opening 17 encounters and have kept clean sheets in five of their last seven outings. The numbers have backed up their performances and across the last five matches, only Burnley have produced a better xG than the Sky Blues.

Wigan secured a creditable draw against Swansea at the weekend, however, they were under pressure throughout the majority of the second half. With an xGA of 1.8, the Latics managed to withstand the late barrage, and pick up a precious point. This is a quick turnaround for Leam Richardson's small squad and having played two more games than their opponents, they could struggle here.

BTTS at Bloomfield

Blackpool 3.39/4 v Middlesbrough 2.3811/8; The Draw 3.5551/20

Tuesday 19:45

Despite struggling to create anything notable for the first 85 minutes, Blackpool lay siege on the Luton goal during the closing stages and were extremely unfortunate not to register. Michael Appleton's side are renowned for their attacking qualities and although they are struggling with injuries, they are unlikely to draw consecutive blanks. The introduction of Theo Corbeanu and Dom Thompson allowed the Tangerines to use the flanks and Appleton may opt to shuffle his XI for this one.

Middlesbrough were dominant throughout their 1-1 draw with Bristol City at the weekend and having produced an xG of 2.4, they probably should have beaten the Robins. Chuba Akpom has been a revelation since the change of management and he is likely to cause issues for Blackpool's defence. Boro have now scored eight times across their last three away games and BTTS has landed in each of the last three.

Beale's boys to bounce back

QPR 1.84/5 v Huddersfield 5.59/2; The Draw 3.814/5

Tuesday 19:45

QPR have hit the buffers in recent weeks and Mick Beale will be keen to avoid extending that poor run of form here. The R's have a few injury issues, and they've failed to score in each of their last three. Nevertheless, only one of those defeats has been at Loftus Road and they tend to be far stronger in West London. They commanded plenty of possession on Saturday afternoon, however, creating notable chances against a stubborn WBA outfit proved beyond them.

Huddersfield are likely to take a similar approach with Mark Fotheringham's side likely to dig in and soak up pressure. The Terriers have failed to score in four of their last five outings and have struggled to score goals from open play since the change of management. The West Yorkshire side could potentially leave with a point, however, the hosts have a little more quality going forward and that could make the difference.

Bluebirds to go back-to-back

Cardiff 2.0421/20 v Hull 4.47/2; The Draw 3.4549/20

Tuesday 19:45

Cardiff ended their barren run on the road with an unexpected 1-0 victory at Sunderland. The Bluebirds also missed a penalty in the first half and although they had to withstand some pressure, they were the better side overall. Goalscorer Mark Harris, who went off with a knock, spoke about how his side took the game to Sunderland and they should play on the front foot here too.

Mark Hudson, who is set to meet chairman Vincent Tan this week, has put forward a decent case to be given the role on a permanent basis, and he will be hoping to build on Saturday's success.

Hull somehow left Bermondey with a point at the weekend and having seen Oscar Estupinan dismissed in the first half, they were forced to weather the storm throughout the second 45. The Tigers have scored just once across their last three matches and they are still acclimatising to Liam Rosenior's methods.

Low-scoring clash at St. Andrews

Birmingham 2.526/4 v Swansea 3.1511/5; The Draw 3.412/5

Tuesday 19:45

Birmingham have managed to move into the top half of the Championship table following a sequence of results which has seen them lose just one of their last seven outings. John Eustace's side don't tend to create much, however, they are able to control matches and are exceptionally well-organised. With just six goals conceded across their last ten matches, breaking down the Blues' rearguard is extremely tough.

Swansea haven't been at their best in recent weeks and were forced to come from 2-0 down to take a point against Wigan at the weekend. They've failed to win any of their last three away games and have looked a little tired in recent weeks. Russell Martin's side are undoubtedly good enough to finish in the top half this season, however, the schedule may be starting to take its toll.

Hornets to edge out Royals

Watford 1.8910/11 v Reading 4.77/2; The Draw 3.814/5

Tuesday 20:00

Watford slipped up against Coventry at the weekend, however, they did create chances with Ismaila Sarr unlikely to get an easier opportunity to add to his tally. Under Slaven Bilic, the Hornets continue to be a little unpredictable, however, they have only lost consecutive games once this season and have a far bigger squad than Tuesday's opponents.

Reading were edged out by Preston on Friday night and Paul Ince will be keen to arrest the Berkshire side's slide. The Royals have lost five of their last seven and have failed to score in three of those games. Ince has referenced fatigue on a number of occasions and his side are unlikely to benefit from yet another quick turnaround.