Saturday Championship Tips: Back Canaries to take three points at Blackpool

Struggling Seasiders to slip to another defeat

Blackpool 4.216/5 v Norwich 1.9310/11; The Draw 3.8514/5

Blackpool come off the back of two tough away trips in which they failed to pick up a single point and Michael Appleton's side will be glad to get back to Bloomfield Road. Despite a return to those familiar surroundings, this is unlikely to be a straightforward 90 minutes for the goal-shy Seasiders.

The international break will have given Appleton time to work with his squad on the training ground and with a number of players slowly returning to full fitness, they should be able to generate a much-improved display. Nevertheless, they are struggling for firepower and haven't looked particularly secure at the back either.

With Norwich having fired in the second highest number of shots on target in the division (53) so far, the visitors are unlikely to draw a blank on the Lancashire coast.

Dean Smith's side weren't at their best prior to the international break and there are still question marks surrounding the promotion credentials of the Canaries. However, they have plenty of individual talent with both Josh Sargent and Teemu Pukki likely to give Marvin Ekpiteta and Rhys Williams the run around on Saturday afternoon.

Norwich have won each of their last two away games and Smith's men should take all three points back to East Anglia.

Mowbray's men to edge past PNE

Sunderland 2.3411/8 v Preston 3.613/5; The Draw 3.3512/5

Despite the recent managerial disruption, Sunderland have enjoyed a successful return to the second tier. The Black Cats, now managed by Tony Mowbray, have played some superb stuff under the new regime and they will fancy their chances of beating the low-scoring Lilywhites.

The Wearsiders may be short in the striking department, however, they've netted five times across their last two outings with Jack Clarke and Patrick Roberts putting in some impressive performances. Aji Alese has also proven to be an able deputy for Dennis Cirkin.

Whilst Sunderland have encountered very few issues finding the back of the net, Preston continue to draw blanks. Ryan Lowe is starting to feel the pressure with some PNE fans questioning the former Plymouth boss.

The Lancastrians have netted on just three occasions and their previously rock steady defence is beginning to creak. They've failed to win any of their last three matches and another defeat appears to be on the cards.

Another Bramall Lane shutout

Sheffield United 1.454/9 v Birmingham 8.27/1; The Draw 4.84/1

Sheffield United have a three point lead at the top of the table and they should be able to maintain that advantage with a victory on Saturday afternoon. Although they are extremely dangerous going forward, the Blades' success has been built on their rock solid rearguard and with just one goal conceded across their last five outings, they are incredibly tough to breach.

Paul Heckingbottom's side have faced the fewest shots on target in the division (23) and have kept clean sheets in 60% of their matches so far. The South Yorkshire side still have a number of players on the sidelines with the likes of Jayden Bogle, John Fleck and Enda Stevens all currently unavailable.

Birmingham's form has picked up lately but the Blues have still only netted on eight occasions so far this season. They may have won at the Hawthorns recently but are likely to struggle against a side who possess the Championship's only 100% home record.

Ince's Royals to win again in Berkshire

Reading 2.285/4 v Huddersfield 3.6553/20; The Draw 3.412/5

Reading went into the international break with a rare away victory. Paul Ince's side have so far defied pre-season expectations and currently occupy a play-off spot. Although the underlying numbers have suggested that these performance levels may not be sustained throughout the campaign, their home form is exceptional and only three sides, including leaders Sheffield United, can boast better form on their own patch.

Huddersfield appointed highly-rated coach Mark Fotheringham and he will be immediately tasked with guiding the Terriers to their first away win of the season. It's always difficult to know how a team may react upon the arrival of a new manager. However, even if they produce a slightly improved performance, it may not be enough to get the better of the incredibly effective Royals.

Latics to continue superb away form

Rotherham 2.47/5 v Wigan 3.259/4; The Draw 3.39/4

Paul Warne swapped Rotherham for Derby during the international break and the Millers may still be managerless as they head into this weekend's fixture. The South Yorkshire side are extremely efficient at the New York Stadium, but they are set to come up against one of the division's away specialists.

Wigan slipped up against Reading two weeks ago and although they continue to struggle at the DW, the Latics are excellent on their travels and they are yet to be defeated despite visiting both Carrow Road and Kenilworth Road.

Leam Richardson's side are defensively solid so backing them to avoid defeat once again makes sense. Use the Bet Builder to add under 3.5 goals into the mix.

Clarets to prove too classy for Cardiff

Cardiff 3.052/1 v Burnley 2.486/4; The Draw 3.39/4

Cardiff sacked Steve Morison during the international break and have placed Mark Hudson in temporary charge. Morison's tenure was far from a disaster, but the Bluebirds had struggled to find the back of the net, particularly at home. They also created very few opportunities and have fired in the least number of efforts on goal so far, one fewer than Coventry, who have played just seven times.

Regardless of their troubles in the final third, Cardiff were always tough to beat under Morison and it remains to be seen whether they can continue that trend this weekend. Unfortunately, they are playing against a side who are slowly starting to find their stride.

Burnley have scored 11 times across their last five outings and they've lost just one of their opening five away games. The Clarets aren't defensively secure.However, they should have too much firepower for the shot-shy hosts.

Lions' away issues to continue

Blackburn 2.3411/8 v Millwall 3.5551/20; The Draw 3.259/4

Blackburn Rovers have been the epitome of inconsistency this season with Jon Dahl Tomasson's side coming into this game with a 5-0-5 record. The Lancastrian outfit have enjoyed facing Millwall in recent seasons, winning seven of their last 13 meetings with the Lions and they'll be hoping to extend that sequence on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to his side's 2-1 victory against Blackpool, Millwall boss Gary Rowett's position had come under some scrutiny and he'll be desperately hoping that his side can end an unwanted run of 10 away games without a victory. Having also failed to register in six of those contests, the Bermondsey outfit will also need to improve their attacking output on their travels.

Nevertheless, summer signing Zian Flemming got off the mark a fortnight ago and with an average of almost three shots per 90 minutes, he is likely to get plenty of opportunities here.

Another entertaining away day for Boro

Coventry 3.185/40 v Middlesbrough 2.56/4; The Draw 3.412/5

Coventry are back at the CBS Arena following two relatively positive away performances and with seven points separating themselves and this weekend's opponents Middlesbrough, Mark Robins' side will be keen to close the gap on the Teessiders.

The Sky Blues have struggled at this stadium with just a single victory in their last eight outings, although there have been at least three goals in four of their last six outings here. Gustavo Hamer's four match absence will be keenly felt by the home side and with both Michael Rose and Callum O'Hare on the sidelines, Robins' squad is starting to look a little threadbare.

Chris Wilder's future at Middlesbrough has been subject to intense speculation this week and although the club are adamant that it's 'business as usual', there is still some uncertainty surrounding the manager's commitment.

On the pitch, Boro have struggled on the road this season and have failed to win any of their opening four away matches. Nevertheless, they have managed to find the net in three of those encounters.

BTTS at Ashton Gate

Bristol City 2.3611/8 v QPR 3.39/4; The Draw 3.55/2

Bristol City have won each of their last three home games to nil. Despite this significant improvement, Nigel Pearson's men are still a little suspect at the back. The Robins have a number of potent attacking players with former QPR striker Nahki Wells having enjoyed a recent resurgence in BS3.

Across their last seven matches, they've netted 15 times and are unlikely to draw a blank in this fixture.

QPR have been reasonably unpredictable so far this season, yet their away form is fairly solid. The R's have scored 2+ goals in three of their last four matches on the road and have beaten Millwall and Watford on their travels so far. Mick Beale's side cannot be underestimated and should be able to find a way past Dan Bentley.

Swans to continue unbeaten run

West Brom 1.784/5 v Swansea 4.94/1; The Draw 3.814/5

West Brom's 1-1 draw at Carrow Road alleviated some of the pressure on Steve Bruce. However, the Geordie desperately needs to take something from this contest. The Baggies have won just once this season and have failed to take maximum points in four of their opening five fixtures here.

Swansea have significantly improved in recent weeks and they have conceded just twice across their last four matches. They were completely dominant against Hull a fortnight ago and with Joel Piroe having fired in a 17 shots on target so far, they rarely look like drawing a blank.