Saturday Championship Tips: Swans and Canaries to produce a wonderful spectacle

• Goals galore at the Swansea City Stadium

• Brum to edge out Tangerines

• Disappointind debut for Kolo Toure

Lively 90 minutes in South Wales

Swansea 2.568/5 v Norwich 32/1; The Draw 3.5551/20

Russell Martin is a Norwich legend and the former defender is understandably looking forward to facing his former employers on Saturday afternoon. Nevertheless, the 36-year old insists that he will be solely focusing on his own side this weekend. Prior to the break, the Swans were winless in five, however, they are unbeaten in front of their own fans since mid-September and have managed to find the net in each of their last five outings here.

A handful of Swansea players have recently returned from Qatar, although the likes of Ollie Cooper and Olivier Ntcham played very few minutes and will be keen to return to action this weekend.

Although he remains in charge for now, there is still a fair amount of pressure on Norwich boss Dean Smith. His side have won just two of their last ten matches, although they failed to keep a clean sheet in either of those victories. Winning on the road has become a bit of an issue for the Canaries, managing just a single victory across their last five away games.

Every single Norwich away match this season has been decided by a single goal margin, so this is likely to be fairly close. However, they've only failed to score once since the end of July.

Drab affair in the Potteries

Stoke 2.1411/10 v Cardiff 3.929/10; The Draw 3.4549/20

Although Alex Neil isn't under any immediate pressure, some sections of the Stoke support are beginning to become a little frustrated by their side's performances. The Potters require yet another squad overhaul in January and they'll be aiming to recruit some much-needed firepower when the transfer window opens at the beginning of 2023. No player has scored more than five goals for the Staffordshire side so far this season and defender Ben Wilmot is the club's second highest goalscorer having notched on three occasions. With just five goals across their last seven outings, another low-scoring 90 minutes appears to be on the cards.

Although Stoke's 22-goal haul isn't particularly impressive, compared to Cardiff, they have been positively prolific. The Bluebirds are the lowest scorers in the division, however, their relatively strong defence has largely enabled them to remain above the dotted line. Although they are occasionally capable of springing a surprise, their 3-1-6 record on the road is one of the weakest in the second tier and it's hard to see them breaching Stoke's rearguard too often here.

Struggling Seasiders to slip up yet again

Blackpool 2.829/5 v Birmingham 2.727/4; The Draw 3.4549/20

Blackpool's small squad appeared to be reaching breaking point by mid-November and Michael Appleton will have relished the opportunity to welcome a number of players back into the fold. The Seasiders have been embarking upon some warm weather training and will approach this weekend's fixture with renewed vigour. Although they do tend to pose a threat going forward, the Seasiders are extremely suspect at the back with only Hull and Rotherham having faced more shots on target so far this season.

Although Birmingham have been dealt an off-field blow in the build-up to this contest, John Eustace is unlikely to let takeover issues hamper his side's performance. The former midfielder has done a superb job of keeping his side focussed and having conceded just 0.95 goals per game so far, they have become one of the toughest sides to break down in the second tier. They've been victorious in four of their last seven away games and have won three of their four trips to bottom eight opposition.

Boro to continue their momentum

Middlesbrough 1.9110/11 v Luton 4.57/2; The Draw 3.6553/20

Michael Carrick has undoubtedly enjoyed a positive start to his tenure on Teesside and the former Manchester United midfielder must ensure that his side's momentum hasn't been halted by the World Cup. Boro have won three of their last four matches and are zipping it around with plenty of confidence. Jonny Howson may have several seasons of experience under his belt, however, the midfielder has recently admitted that he is constantly learning under the new boss. Boro had struggled to score second half goals prior to Carrick's arrival, however, seven of their last nine goals have arrived after the break and they could be too strong for the Hatters on Saturday.

Luton will be hoping for a new manager bounce of their own with Rob Edwards replacing Nathan Jones at Kenilworth Road. Edwards was victorious in his first match as both Watford and Forest Green coach, although this is a significantly tougher task for the former defender. Under Jones, Luton were fairly solid travellers and tended to be much stronger on the road, however, they may struggle to halt Boro's momentum.

Lions to sink the Latics

Millwall 1.9210/11 v Wigan 4.77/2; The Draw 3.55/2

Millwall were beaten by Sunderland at the Stadium of the Light last weekend, however, the score-line arguably flattered the Black Cats. The Lions weren't particularly bad and did have chances to get on the scoresheet with Zian Flemming wasting a golden opportunity. Gary Rowett was upset with his side's inability to put away their chances and that is something which is likely to have been placed towards the top of his priority list this week. At home, the Bermondsey outfit are exceptionally strong with four clean sheets in their last seven outings. Only QPR and Reading have been victorious at this venue and it feels as though Wigan are unlikely to be adding their name to that illustrious list.

It's difficult to know what to make of Wigan and the Latics may require a watching brief over the next couple of weeks. Kolo Toure's appointment was an interesting choice and the former Leicester coach admits that he has a tough job on his hands at the DW Stadium. Although this is a fresh start for the club, Wigan's record of conceding 2+ goals in each of their last five away matches is not particularly appealing.

Terriers to frustrate Blades

Sheffield United 1.548/15 v Huddersfield 7.26/1; The Draw 4.67/2

Sheffield United boss Paul Heckingbottom will have enjoyed the opportunity to welcome several injured players back into his squad over the last couple of weeks and the Blades will be well-fancied to take three points from this encounter. There are still a few injury issues for the hosts with Oli McBurnie having undergone surgery over the last few weeks and there will be a late check on the fitness of Iliman N'Diaye, who picked up a knock against England in Qatar. The South Yorkshire side have been better on the road recently and have won just one of their last five matches at Bramall Lane.

Huddersfield are still struggling for firepower with only Blackburn and Rotherham having taken fewer shots than the Terriers. Nevertheless, Mark Fotheringham has found a way to tighten his side up and they've conceded just five times across their last seven matches. They've avoided defeat in three of their last five away games and will look to make it tough for the hosts.

Sky Blues to leave Berkshire with at least a point

Reading 2.6413/8 v Coventry 2.962/1; The Draw 3.3512/5

Reading had more players at the World Cup than any other Championship side, however, the majority of the Sky Blues' internationals have returned to Berkshire ahead of this weekend's action. The Royals' 9-2-10 record makes them extremely tough to predict, although they've won just two of their last ten overall with those victories coming against Bristol City and Hull. Paul Ince's side are certainly dogged and determined, however, they haven't been able to get the best out of players such as Lucas Joao so far this season.

There have been plenty of off-field distractions for Coventry City over the last few weeks including being handed an eviction notice for the CBS Arena. Nevertheless, Mark Robins' side have been excellent on the field and their superb run of form has propelled them to the fringes of the top half. They've kept clean sheets in each of their last four outings and haven't conceded an away goal since September 14th.