David Prutton's EFL Predictions: Wins for Brighton, Villa and Leeds

By David Prutton, EFL Expert & Columnist

Image: David Prutton is back with his weekend Sky Bet EFL predictions, and is backing Brighton, Newcastle and Aston Villa to bag away wins

David Prutton is back with his weekend Sky Bet EFL predictions, and is backing Brighton, Newcastle and Aston Villa to bag away wins.

Sky Sports' 10 in 10 finishes with two games from the Championship, with Birmingham hosting Brighton on Saturday after the sacking of Gary Rowett and hiring of Gianfranco Zola, and Aston Villa going to QPR on Sunday.

Here's what Prutton has predicted for those games and more...

10 in 10: Birmingham v Brighton (Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 and Sky Sports Mix from 5.15pm)

I did Birmingham's 2-1 win over Ipswich on Tuesday, and it was relatively straightforward. Birmingham were very competitive, and then the news comes on Wednesday morning and everything has changed.

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Image: Gary Rowett was sacked as Birmingham boss on Wednesday

It's a funny one, because from a players' point of view, when things aren't going so well and a manager gets sacked, you're not flabbergasted by it, despite the Blues being seventh in the Championship having won three of their last five. 

I think with Brighton it gives them that impetus. It was a bit topsy-turvy away at Blackburn, 

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PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 8/1)

10 in 10: QPR v Aston Villa (Sunday, live on Sky Sports 2 and Sky Sports Mix from 11.45am)

My gut feeling is we'll see a reaction from Aston Villa. After a great unbeaten start from Steve Bruce, the last few games have been a bit of a reality check; two defeats and a win.

There was a nice confidence about the place that they would be steadily rising the table, but if they really have top six aspirations, they've got to look at a QPR team who, having lost the last four must be short of confidence, and look to get three points.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 8/1)

Blackburn v Reading (Saturday, 3pm)

Reading dominated possession against Leeds in midweek, but just weren't as clinical as they should be, they just played a good, patient game and came out on the losing side.

Blackburn, having lost against both Brighton and Preston, are susceptible to conceding. I think the odds are stacked in Reading's favour here.

It's been a good season for Reading. As we see with plenty of teams up the top of the Championship, they do sometimes get these reality checks, but I think they'll see this through in a high-scoring game.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-3 (Sky Bet's odds: 33/1)

Burton v Newcastle (Saturday, 3pm)

It's a tall order for Burton. It is a tough place to go, but I just feel that Newcastle are back in winning form after that dodgy week. 

Image: Newcastle returned to winning ways in the last week

They're back consistent, and at Burton, who have lost their last two, for me it's not a gimme because it's the Championship, but I see a Newcastle win easily here.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 6/1)

Fulham v Derby (Saturday, 3pm)

I think this one is going to be a win for Derby, especially with the momentum they have at this time. With Fulham's home form some may fancy them, but with Derby winning seven on the bounce and with the likes of Tom Ince flying, I can only go for them.

They went to QPR, who are low on confidence, and put in a professional performance to win 1-0. I get the feeling they're going to do the same in west London on Saturday.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 16/1)

Leeds v Brentford (Saturday, 3pm)

It's a funny one for Leeds as it's been win-lose, win-lose for the past few weeks. The win against Reading, where Reading dominated the ball, they were comfortable enough to concede a bit of possession in the game and still come through. 

If Chris Wood is out he'll be a big miss, but I think with the way that Leeds are playing at home, they just shade it.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet's odds: 8/1)

Highlights of Leeds' 2-0 win over Reading in the Sky Bet Championship

Nottingham Forest v Wolves (Saturday, 3pm)

I'm going for 2-2 here. Wolves' 4-4 draw with Fulham was crazy, leading after being behind and then losing two points later before losing at Cardiff. That's a confidence knocker. 

Forest had a big helping hand against Preston, coming away with a draw, and I feel that while both teams are good going forward, they're weak at the back. 

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 12/1)

Scunthorpe v Millwall (Saturday, 3pm)

Scunny got their third defeat of the season against Rochdale, but knowing Graham Alexander like I do, he will be demanding a reaction from his team. 

Top of the league, playing against the team in 12th, again on paper it looks straightforward but it won't be. It's always tough.

Image: Scunthorpe are top of League One under Graham Alexander

Millwall, having lost against Shrewsbury, are another team looking for a reaction, but I think this game gets Scunny back to winning ways.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet's odds: 11/1)

Accrington v Plymouth (Saturday, 3pm)

As good as Plymouth have been this season, to halt that three-match losing and beat Doncaster at the moment was a big test of their mental ability.

Accrington Stanley lost to Orient at the weekend, and although Plymouth have a huge trip on their hands, I still feel the quality they have got, it's going to be a Plymouth win.

PRUTTON PREDITCS: 0-2 (Sky Bet's odds: 11/1)

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