Saturday Championship Tips: Carrick's revolution to continue in Cardiff

• Bluebirds' barren run to continue

• Seasiders and Millers to share the points

• Tigers to take something back to Humberside

Teessiders to eventually find a way through

Cardiff 3.711/4 v Middlesbrough 2.226/5; The Draw 3.55/2

Cardiff have only conceded five times in their last seven matches and the appointment of former Nottingham Forest coach Sabri Lamouchi is unlikely to have a negative impact on their defensive stability. Nevertheless, the Bluebirds have major issues going forward and they've failed to find the net in six of those seven outings.

The hosts' are taking shots and creating openings, however, there is a chronic lack of quality in the final third. In front of their own fans, they've managed to convert just 5% of their shots and only fellow strugglers Wigan and Rotherham have fired in fewer efforts on target.

Callum Robinson's penalty miss last weekend was yet another blow to Cardiff's survival hopes and considering Middlesbrough's much-improved defensive displays, they are unlikely to get too many golden opportunities on Saturday afternoon.

Middlesbrough have been clinical in front of goal and they are one of the division's most in-form outfits. The Teessiders have won five of their last seven away matches and they've kept consecutive clean sheets coming into this fixture.

Only Burnley and Sheffield United have collected more points than Boro since Carrick's arrival in October and with the Championship's top goalscorer Chuba Akpom continuing to impress, they should be able to take all three points in the welsh capital.

Another high-scoring contest for the Canaries

Bristol City 3.052/1 v Norwich 2.486/4; The Draw 3.55/2

Bristol City have an extremely poor record against Norwich and they've failed to pick up maximum points in any of their last 11 meetings with the Canaries. Nevertheless, Nigel Pearson's men are in terrific form and have put together a five-match unbeaten streak.

The Robins are playing with plenty of confidence and the emergence of Sam Bell and the deployment of Kal Naismith in a holding role has enabled them to climb away from immediate danger.

Norwich suffered their first defeat under David Wagner last weekend with the German boss unable to improve his side's woeful home form. The Canaries are far more effective on the road and have been victorious in four of their last five away from Carrow Road.

Having netted four times in each of their last two matches on the road, the East Anglian side are bidding to become the first team to score 4+ goals in three consecutive away contests since 1963.

Accumulatively, there have been 60 shots taken across Norwich's last two away games and another entertaining encounter surely awaits.

Points shared in a feisty relegation battle

Blackpool 2.245/4 v Rotherham 3.6553/20; The Draw 3.55/2

Blackpool fans were left disappointed by their side's inability to beat relegation rivals Huddersfield on Tuesday night, however, the Seasiders have been handed another opportunity to close the gap on the sides above them.

Some supporters believed that Mick McCarthy was too cautious with his approach in midweek, although the introduction of Josh Bowler, Morgan Rodgers and Andy Lyons gave them far more attacking impetus. The experienced gaffer will find it tough to omit any of these three players as they were all involved in the ten-man Seasiders' impressive fightback.

Having failed to win any of their last six matches at Bloomfield Road, McCarthy will be hoping that his side can give the home faithful something to cheer on Saturday afternoon.

Rotherham's recent form has given the Millers a realistic chance of survival and they'll also be buoyed by their excellent record against this opposition. Nevertheless, they've been victorious in just two of their last 21 away games and are winless in five on the road.

The South Yorkshire outfit have only averaged around seven shots per match on the road this season, however, they fired in a respectable 12 efforts against high-flying Watford in their previous away trip.

Matt Taylors' side have also tightened up defensively in recent weeks, and despite the loss of Sean Morrison to injury, their recent record of conceding just once in their last three outings makes them tough to oppose.

BTTS at the CBS

Coventry 2.3411/8 v Luton 3.4549/20; The Draw 3.55/2

Coventry's recent form has dropped off a cliff and Mark Robins' side have been unable to sustain their push for a top six spot. Their only victory since December 21st came against relegation-threatened Huddersfield, yet they are always strong on their own patch. They've lost just one of their last nine matches here with that sole defeat coming against a Norwich side, who were lifted by the arrival of David Wagner.

Injuries have hindered the Sky Blues in recent months and despite a handful of new recruits arriving in January, they still look liable to concede. Viktor Gyokores has been unable to recreate his early-season heroics, however, he's still a handful and has the ability to create opportunities on a fairly regular basis.

Luton crashed out of the FA Cup in midweek with Rob Edwards suggesting that his side owe the travelling fans a performance in order to erase any memories of Tuesday's disaster. The Hatters have been excellent on the road all season and they are bidding to pick up four consecutive away victories for the first time in two decades.

Although their away matches haven't been littered with chances in recent weeks, the Hatters have enough individual talent to find the back of the net with a rejuvenated Elijah Adebayo likely to be involved.

In-form Tigers to strike again

Stoke 2.1411/10 v Hull 3.953/1; The Draw 3.412/5

Stoke remain one of the toughest sides to predict in the Championship. Alex Neil's side stuck four past Reading in their last match at the 365 before limply losing at Luton last weekend. The Potters do create chances at home, however, they are lacking a clinical striker and having failed to find the net in three of their last five outings, they need to improve upon their 8% conversion rate.

Curiously, they've won just two of their nine fixtures here against sides ninth and below in the table, yet they've somehow taken points off Sheffield United, Middlesbrough and Luton.

Hull have been much improved since Liam Rosenior arrived in Humberside. They've picked up 20 points from the manager's first 12 matches in charge and they have half an eye on a top six spot.

They've suffered just a single defeat since the World Cup break and were more than a match for promotion-chasing Sheffield United in their recent loss at Bramall Lane. They should be able to claim at least a point in Staffordshire.

Rovers may frustrate the inconsistent Hornets

Watford 2.021/1 v Blackburn 4.47/2; The Draw 3.5551/20

Watford are still firmly in contention for a play-off spot, however Slaven Bilic's side have hit a sticky patch and they'll be keen to end a three match winless run. The Hornets threw away a two goal lead against Reading last weekend and having started 2023 with back-to-back clean sheets, they've now conceded five times in their last three outings.

The Hertfordshire side still possess plenty of firepower, however, they've failed to score in three of their last seven and aren't always effective at finding a way to break down stubborn opposition.

Blackburn picked up a point on Monday night with Jon Dahl Tomasson bemoaning his side's lack of goalscoring prowess. Travelling Rovers fans haven't witnessed much in the way of entertainment this season with the visitors having scored 2+ goals just twice since the opening weekend.

With Ben Brereton-Diaz struggling to recapture his early-season form, Rovers could struggle to create clearcut chances in this encounter and a low-scoring 90 minutes is expected.

The Burnley bandwagon to prove unstoppable

Burnley 1.564/7 v Preston 7.613/2; The Draw 4.3100/30

Burnley's quest to return to the Premier League is firmly on track they are just 1.021/50 to be promoted in the Betfair Exchange betting - and despite their FA Cup endeavours in midweek, the Clarets should be able to clinch bragging rights in this weekend's Lancashire derby.

Vincent Kompany's men have strengthened in January and their squad looks deeper and healthier than the majority of their Championship rivals. Although they have been very handy on the road, it is the Clarets' rock-solid home form which has ensured that they've remain miles clear of the chasing pack.

The hosts will be hoping to extend their nine-match winning sequence on Saturday and having conceded just three times during that run of form, they'll be confident of keeping their neighbours at arm's length this weekend.

Preston have an exceptional away record although they are yet to visit any of the current top three. Their most recent away defeat came at in-form West Brom, who currently sit fifth.

PNE are strong travellers, but they are unlikely to come away with anything from this short trip to Turf Moor.

Lions to inflict further misery on Critchley

QPR 2.747/4 v Millwall 2.942/1; The Draw 3.39/4

QPR's recent results have been hugely underwhelming and their performances haven't been particularly impressive either. Despite his relatively recent arrival, Neil Critchley is already under pressure with fans bemoaning the lack of cutting edge in the final third. Jamal Lowe's arrival has assuaged some of those concerns, however, Lyndon Dykes' absence coupled with Chris Willocks' loss of form has coincided with the downturn.

Nevertheless, QPR have a fairly decent record against this opposition and despite the fact that they've won just one of their last 14 matches, they will fancy their chances of taking at least a point from this game.

Millwall's away form is fairly uninspiring. Lions fans often complain about Gary Rowett's penchant for setting up defensively on the road, however, this cautious approach has enabled them to avoid defeat in six of their last nine away trips. They should be able claim at least a point here.

Another attritional relegation battle at the DW

Wigan 2.47/5 v Huddersfield 3.55/2; The Draw 3.259/4

Shaun Maloney picked up a point in his first game in charge on Monday night. Although it wasn't a stellar performance from the struggling Latics, they did manage to keep Blackburn at arm's length and they marginally shaded a tight and tense 90 minutes.

Wigan have been poor at both ends this season, however, they appear to have finally tightened up. Finding a way to score goals could be a tougher proposition for the former Hibs boss, and although Will Keane is a capable operator at this level, there are question marks over the supporting cast.

Huddersfield sacked Mark Fotheringham following their 2-2 draw with Blackpool in midweek. The Terriers inability to hold onto the lead against ten men was the final straw for the fans and the board relieved the Scot of his duties on Wednesday afternoon. The West Yorkshire side have struggled on the road this season and unless a new manager is appointed quickly, they are unlikely to end their winless run on Saturday afternoon.

Entertaining match at the SOL

Sunderland 1.9520/21 v Reading 4.57/2; The Draw 3.6553/20

Sunderland crashed out of the FA Cup in midweek, however, they're trundling along nicely in the Championship. Tony Mowbray's side have generally been better on the road this season, yet they've won three of their last five in front of their own fans and they will be confident of taking maximum points against poor travellers Reading. A line can be drawn through their 3-1 defeat here to Swansea as they were forced to play the majority of the clash with ten men.

Reading came from two behind to take a point against Watford last weekend and Paul Ince will be hoping that his side can build upon that encouraging display. The Royals have struggled on the road this season and are conceding far too many chances. They've managed to clinch just a single victory on their travels since September 17th and have found the net just once across their last three.

Blades to test Swansea's leaky defence

Sheffield United 1.9420/21 v Swansea 4.57/2; The Draw 3.6553/20

Sheffield United's recent performances haven't been completely convincing, yet Paul Heckingbottom's side are still finding a way to win. The Blades average over 17 shots per game at home this season and they are always capable of creating chances. Although they aren't creating as much going forward currently, they appear to have improved defensively and have conceded just a single goal across their last three outings.

Swansea have ongoing issues away from the pitch and Russell Martin has looked increasingly exasperated over the last few weeks. The Swans have been struggling defensively and the lack of January reinforcements is being highlighted by some worrying performances at the back. They've faced two average sides in their last two matches and have conceded 32 shots accumulatively. The Blades should be able to take full advantage.