Saturday Championship Tips: Rovers to bounce back from midweek disappointment

Travelsick Millers to fall short at Ewood

Blackburn 1.9420/21 v Rotherham 3.929/10; The Draw 3.39/4

Blackburn slipped up in midweek as they suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat at Cardiff. Jon Dahl Tomasson opted to rotate his XI, making three changes and surprisingly switching to a back four. The Dane admitted that these alterations were made in preparation for October's hectic schedule although it wouldn't be a surprise to see him revert back to a 3-4-3 for this weekend's clash with Rotherham. Although they are yet to draw this campaign, Rovers were inches away from securing a point on Tuesday night with George Hirst squandering the opportunity from the spot in injury time.

The hosts have an excellent record against Rotherham, winning seven of their last eight meetings with the Millers at this venue. They've also been victorious in four of their first six matches at Ewood Park and with Sam Gallagher and Tyler Morton having been kept relatively fresh for this clash, they should be able to pick up another three points here.

Rotherham picked up a point in Matt Tayler's first game in charge, however, the South Yorkshire club managed just a single shot on target at the New York Stadium. They've netted just once across their last three outings and although they can be tough to break down, they just do not seem to travel particularly well.

Sky Blues and Clarets to share the spoils

Coventry 3.39/4 v Burnley 2.226/5; The Draw 3.39/4

Coventry are still catching up and although Mark Robins' side remain in the relegation zone, there are plenty of reasons to be positive. It's now four matches unbeaten for the Sky Blues and they've managed to keep three consecutive clean sheets in the process. Although they ceded possession to Bristol City on Tuesday and allowed the Robins to dominate the shot count, they largely restricted them in the final third. They are growing in confidence and will fancy their chances of taking something from this contest.

Burnley have become frustrating to follow with Vincent Kompany's side seemingly unable to hold onto a lead. The Clarets have netted the opener in each of their last eight matches, however, they've somehow failed to win five of those games. Too many draws are holding them back and they may have to settle for yet another point at the CBS Arena.

Bluebirds to edge a cagey contest

Wigan 2.3611/8 v Cardiff 3.39/4; The Draw 3.211/5

Prior to Wednesday's defeat at Hull, Wigan possessed the best away record in the division. Despite their heroics on the road, the Latics have yet to win at the DW and the home fans will be desperate to see their side pick up maximum points on Saturday afternoon. The hosts have scored just four goals here and the injury to Callum Lang is unlikely to help their cause.

Cardiff took all three points on Tuesday night with Mark Hudson claiming his first victory since succeeding Steve Morison. The Bluebirds have been poor on their travels and have picked up just a single victory outside of the Welsh capital. Nevertheless, this looks like the ideal chance to build on that midweek victory and they are unlikely to go down without a fight.

Canaries' attacking output limited by PNE

Norwich 1.715/7 v Preston 4.57/2; The Draw 3.7511/4

Norwich may be flying high, however, they are in relatively unconvincing form. The Canaries have scored just three times across their last three outings and were arguably lucky to have taken all three points against Blackpool last weekend. They were outshot by Reading in midweek and they are unlikely to relish this upcoming clash with defensively resolute Preston. Dean Smith's side have netted in every single home game this season, although finding a way to breach Preston's rock-solid rearguard could be tough.

Preston finally ended their home hoodoo with a well-deserved 1-0 victory on Wednesday night and Ryan Lowe's side will arrive in East Anglia with plenty of confidence. Their away form is excellent and they are yet to concede a goal on their travels. The Lilywhites will be tricky to break down and could easily take something from this clash.

Blades to squeeze past Potters

Stoke 3.259/4 v Sheffield United 2.47/5; The Draw 3.259/4

Alex Neil was pleased with his side's reaction to their 4-0 hammering last weekend and he'll be hoping that the Potters can produce a similarly determined performance on Saturday afternoon. The Staffordshire club are seemingly better on the road, with two of their three victories coming away from home. They've failed to score in two of their last three home matches and haven't picked up maximum points here since August 6th.

Sheffield United suffered a rare home defeat in midweek as they were upended by QPR at Bramall Lane. Nevertheless, Blades fans are unlikely to be worried by their side's temporary blip especially with the imperious Anel Ahmedhodzic potentially set to return this weekend. The South Yorkshire club have been excellent on the road so far and they've won each of their last three away games. That run looks set to continue.

Boro's away day troubles to continue

Millwall 2.767/4 v Middlesbrough 2.829/5; The Draw 3.259/4

It's been a fairly inauspicious start to the season for Millwall with the Lions having failed to find any sort of rhythm across their first 12 matches. Gary Rowett's side are yet to win back-to-back games and have generally struggled on the road. Nevertheless, they are exceptionally strong in Bermondsey and have been victorious in four of their first six matches at the Den. Their only two defeats here have come against teams who currently occupy the top four spots.

Middlesbrough, led by adopted Teessider Leo Percovich, picked up a much-needed victory in midweek. Boro are strong at the Riverside, however, they have typically struggled on the road. They've failed to score in two of their last three away games and have picked up just a single point so far.

Another entertaining away day for the Hornets

Blackpool 3.55/2 v Watford 2.245/4; The Draw 3.3512/5

Blackpool have put in a number of improved performances over the last seven days, yet the Seasiders have picked up just a single point during that period and have failed to find the net against both Norwich and Sunderland. The introduction of Callum Wright and Charlie Patino's return from injury has given them some attacking impetus in midfield and they will surely end their barren run in front of goal sooner rather than later.

Slaven Bilic's superb start in the Watford dugout came to a crashing halt on Wednesday evening as the Croatian watched his side blow a one goal lead to Swansea at Vicarage Road. Nevertheless, he has clearly unlocked their attacking potential, and they should enjoy coming up against a Blackpool defence which hasn't kept a home clean sheet since the end of July.

Brum to keep things tight at St. Andrews

Birmingham 2.6613/8 v Bristol City 2.89/5; The Draw 3.4549/20

Birmingham's 1-0 defeat at the Riverside was the Blues' first loss in over a month. Having been beaten in four of their first seven matches this season, this is a significant step forward for the West Midlands outfit and a huge amount of credit must be given to John Eustace, who has managed to mould his side into a hard-working and cohesive unit. With just four goals conceded across their last five matches, they will be tough to break down once more. At the other end of the field, Scott Hogan enjoys facing Bristol City scoring five times against this opposition and he also found the net in this fixture last season.

Nigel Pearson will be keen to put an end to his side's winless run and he'll be hoping that they can avoid making any costly errors on Saturday afternoon. The Robins did pick up a point in midweek, however, they've scored just twice across their last three matches and it's been over a month since they secured maximum points.

In-form Swans to continue upward trajectory

Swansea 2.47/5 v Sunderland 3.211/5; The Draw 3.4549/20

At the end of last season, Swansea were being touted as potential dark horses for promotion for the 22-23 campaign, however, a run of just one win in their opening seven matches dampened any pre-season enthusiasm. Nevertheless, a few tactical tweaks from Russell Martin have seemingly changed their fortunes and the Welshmen have now won four of their last five matches. They've also scored eight times across their last three and showed tremendous character to turn things around at Vicarage Road on Wednesday.

Sunderland drew in midweek, although Tony Mowbray felt aggrieved that his side weren't able to snatch all three points against Blackpool. The Black Cats are tough to beat and have drawn each of their last three matches. Their lack of talismanic striker is preventing them from climbing the table and Ross Stewart's return cannot come soon enough. This is a battle between two sides who enjoy playing an exciting brand of attacking football and it should be a very watchable contest.

Baggies and Hatters to both find the net

West Brom 1.9420/21 v Luton 4.57/2; The Draw 3.5551/20

At the time of writing, Steve Bruce remains the manager of West Brom, however, the Geordie has been under pressure for several weeks with the Baggies having won just one of their opening 12 fixtures. It's a disappointing return for a side who added both John Swift and Jed Wallace to their ranks in the summer. Aside from their 1-0 defeat at Deepdale in midweek, WBA have been scoring goals and they have scored ten times across their last four matches at the Hawthorns, however, keeping the opposition off the scoresheet is proving troublesome.

Luton were uncharacteristically sloppy at the back in midweek as they conceded three times to struggling Huddersfield. Nathan Jones was frustrated and highlighted the volume of chances that his side created during the 90 minutes. They've netted nine times across their last four matches and should be able to find a way past WBA's creaking defence.