Millwall vs Blackburn live on Sky Sports Football on Saturday evening
Friday 11 January 2019 20:41, UK
David Prutton returns with his Sky Bet EFL predictions ahead of the weekend fixtures, but who is he tipping for victory?
Is it Millwall time? They tend to come strong in the second half of the season and they are climbing away from the relegation zone now. Whether they can push up towards the top six again like in the last campaign, though, remains to be seen.
Blackburn arrested a bit of a slump against West Brom on New Year's Day and then got a good result at Newcastle in the FA Cup. They will be feeling confident again and I have a feeling they could sneak all three points away from The Den.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Brentford aren't winning enough games yet, but at least they have arrested their slump with three draws in a row.
Nathan Jones is coming straight in at Stoke for this one and will want to hit the ground running. I'm going to back a bit of 'new manager bounce' and plug for an away win.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
Ipswich have reached the point of no return now. Any enthusiasm that may have been building under Paul Lambert has been quelled by three defeats in a row and they are now 10 points adrift of safety.
Rotherham are the team just above the relegation zone, and this is a must-win for both. For that reason, I can see both being reluctant to open up. Draw for me.
Prutton predicts: 0-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
Sheffield United are here to stay in the top-six battle. Last year they slumped badly at the midway point but they have won their last three in a row.
QPR are also unbeaten in five and look set for an unlikely promotion push. They got a good draw at Aston Villa last time out and then beat Leeds in the FA Cup, but I think the Blades will be too strong for them at Bramall Lane.
Prutton predicts: 2-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
Now this is a big game. West Brom have been trying to reel in the top two for a while, and this is a big opportunity for them to do just that.
Norwich have failed to win their last three games, which is their worst run since their first three games of the season. There is every chance it will be four by Saturday evening.
Prutton predicts: 3-2 (22/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a big game in Sky Bet League One as third hosts second at the Stadium of Light, although the context of it has changed completely since the shock departure of Luton boss Nathan Jones to Stoke in midweek.
Jones had done a brilliant job there and they haven't lost since mid-October. If he was still in the dugout, I may have fancied a different result, but without him there, I can only see a Sunderland win.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
It is third versus second in Sky Bet League Two as well! Bury may be in a bit of a false position because they have played more games than a lot of the teams below them, but they are still right in the mix.
MK Dons won their last game 6-0 so they will be feeling good, but Bury are top of the home form table in the division. It's a difficult one to call but I am going to back the Shakers.
Prutton predicts: 2-0 (11/1 with Sky Bet)
Birmingham vs Middlesbrough: 1-0 (11/2)
Bristol City vs Bolton: 2-0 (6/1)
Hull vs Sheffield Wednesday: 2-2 (14/1)
Preston vs Swansea: 2-0 (11/1)
Reading vs Nottingham Forest: 1-2 (8/1)
Wigan vs Aston Villa: 1-3 (16/1)
It was probably a good time for Leeds to have a bit of a break from Championship action after two back-to-back defeats, but they are still top of the table and will be keen to bounce back.
Derby took an absolute hiding in the reverse fixture at Pride Park. It was Frank Lampard's first home game and they were hammered 4-1. He will be desperate for a bit of revenge, and I think his side can grab a draw at Elland Road.
Prutton predicts: 1-1
