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Sunday's Championship predictions including Derby County vs. Leeds United

Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today's Championship fixtures, including Derby County vs. Leeds United.


Norwich vs. QPR (Sunday, 12.30pm)

Norwich City head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup during his side's Championship match against Millwall, on December 26, 2024© Imago

In their 24th Championship game of the season, Norwich City are set to host Queens Park Rangers at Carrow Road on Sunday.

The hosts are 12th with 29 points and beat Millwall 2-1 on Boxing Day, while their opponents are in 17th place with 25 points and are six points clear of the relegation zone after losing 3-0 against Swansea City on Thursday.

We say: Norwich City 2-2 Queens Park Rangers


While Norwich have struggled for consistency in recent times, they have at least picked up good results at Carrow Road.

However, QPR's resurgence under Cifuentes could mean that the visitors will pose a difficult challenge on Sunday, and they may hold their hosts to a stalemate.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Preston vs. Sheff Weds (Sunday, 12.30pm)

Preston North End Manager Paul Heckingbottom during his side's Championship match between against Leeds United, on December 14, 2024© Imago

Sheffield Wednesday will hope they can stay within striking distance of the Championship's promotion playoff spots on Sunday when they travel to face Preston North End at Deepdale.

Preston beat Hull City 1-0 on Thursday and are in 16th place with 26 points, while the visitors are in ninth place with 33 points, drew 3-3 with Middlesbrough on Boxing Day and are four points and three places from the final playoff spot.

We say: Preston North End 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday


Preston are unlikely to make Sunday's clash an easy encounter for Sheffield Wednesday considering they have not often lost at Deepdale.

Sheffield Wednesday's away form should give them confidence that they can eventually overcome their hosts, and it would not be surprising if they claimed all three points.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Sheff Utd vs. West Brom (Sunday, 12.30pm)

Sheffield United head coach Chris Wilder on November 2, 2024© Imago

Both looking to avoid back-to-back defeats, Sheffield United will welcome West Bromwich Albion to Bramall Lane for a Championship contest on Sunday afternoon.

The Blades were beat on their own patch by title rivals Burnley on Boxing Day, whilst the Baggies were unable to earn anything from a trip to Derby County.

We say: Sheffield United 1-0 West Bromwich Albion


After a Boxing Day blip at home to Burnley, we are expecting Sheffield United to return to somewhere near their best at Bramall Lane versus the Baggies.

West Brom are at risk of sliding down the Championship in a state of limbo as they scramble to find Corberan's successor, an environment that does not bode well for hopes of success in Yorkshire this weekend.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Blackburn vs. Hull City (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Hull City manager Ruben Selles during his side's Championship match against Swansea City, on December 21, 2024© Imago

In a match that will have effects on the race for promotion and the battle to stay in the Championship, Blackburn Rovers will welcome Hull City to Ewood Park on Sunday.

The home side are fifth with 38 points after 22 matchweeks and drew 2-2 with Sunderland on Thursday, while Hull are third last in 22nd place with 19 points and lost 1-0 against Preston North End on Boxing Day.

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Hull City


Blackburn's record at Ewood Park is far from flawless, and it is difficult to see them winning comfortably on Sunday.

Despite the hosts' mixed showings at home, Hull are in dire form and are also in the midst of an injury crisis, and this should make Blackburn strong favourites.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Bristol City vs. Portsmouth (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Bristol City manager Liam Manning on December 14, 2024© Imago

Bristol City will look to claim a second straight win when they welcome Portsmouth to Ashton Gate for Sunday's Championship encounter.

Meanwhile, the relegation-threatened visitors will try to produce a response after they fell to a narrow defeat in their Boxing Day clash with Watford.

We say: Bristol City 2-1 Portsmouth


Bristol City have won two of their last three home matches, and we think they will enjoy another successful outing at Ashton Gate when they face a Portsmouth side that have lost four of their previous six away matches.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Coventry vs. Millwall (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Coventry City head coach Frank Lampard on December 7, 2024© Imago

Looking to secure back-to-back wins, Coventry City will welcome Millwall to The Coventry Building Society Arena for a Championship battle on Sunday afternoon.

The Sky Blues managed a handsome home success on Boxing Day at the expense of Plymouth Argyle, whilst the Lions lost out at the home of Norwich City.

We say: Coventry City 2-0 Millwall


After battering the Green Army at The CBS Arena on Boxing Day, Coventry will be confident of repeating the trick against a Millwall side who do not travel well.

The Lions have suffered with a lack of direction under their interim management, and we believe that their final match of 2024 will end in an East Midlands defeat.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Oxford Utd vs. Plymouth (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Oxford United manager Gary Rowett on December 26, 2024© Imago

Two relegation rivals will face off when Oxford United welcome Plymouth Argyle to the Kassam Stadium for Sunday's Championship clash.

The U's will be looking to claim a second straight victory, while the Pilgrims will try to end a seven-game winless run.

We say: Oxford United 2-1 Plymouth Argyle


Oxford United will have renewed belief after beating Cardiff in Rowett's first game in charge, and we think the new manager bounce could propel them to another victory on Sunday, especially as Plymouth will be bereft of confidence after losing five of their last six matches.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Stoke vs. Sunderland (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Sunderland manager Regis Le Bris prior to kick-off against Millwall, on November 23, 2024© Imago

In a potentially crucial clash in the Championship, promotion-chasing Sunderland travel to bet365 Stadium on Sunday where they take on relegation-threatened Stoke City.

The Potters are sixth last in 19th place with 22 points and lost 2-0 against Leeds United on Boxing Day, whereas Sunderland are fourth in the table with 44 points and drew 2-2 with Blackburn Rovers on Thursday.

We say: Stoke City 1-3 Sunderland


Sunderland's mixed record away from home suggests that they could encounter difficulties on Sunday, but it is difficult to see them dropping points against an under pressure Stoke City side.

The hosts are in poor form and while they might at times pose a challenge to the visitors, they are unlikely to avoid defeat.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Swansea vs. Luton (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Swansea City manager Luke Williams on December 21, 2024© Imago

Swansea City will be aiming to make it successive wins in the Championship when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against Luton Town on Sunday afternoon.

The Welsh outfit are currently 10th in the Championship table, boasting 30 points from their opening 23 matches of the season, while Luton are 18th, only six points outside of the relegation zone, having had an underwhelming season to date.

We say: Swansea City 2-1 Luton Town


Luton's away form is so poor that it is difficult to back them despite the obvious quality in their squad; the Hatters should give their fans a goal to cheer, but we are expecting the hosts to secure all three points on Sunday.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Watford vs. Cardiff (Sunday, 3.00pm)

Cardiff City interim manager Omer Riza pictured on September 14, 2024© Imago

Watford will be aiming to make it successive wins in the Championship when they continue their 2024-25 campaign with a home fixture against Cardiff City on Sunday afternoon.

Tom Cleverley's side are sixth in the Championship table, picking up 37 points from their opening 22 matches of the campaign, while Cardiff are 23rd, with the visitors only collecting 18 points from their 22 games this term.

We say: Watford 2-0 Cardiff City


Cardiff are yet to win on their travels this season, and they will be coming up against the team with the second-best home record in the Championship during the 2024-25 campaign, so we can only see one result on Sunday afternoon.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Derby vs. Leeds (Sunday, 5.45pm)

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke after his sides match against Oxford United, on December 21, 2024© Imago

Promotion-chasing Leeds United will try to extend their four-game unbeaten run when they head to Pride Park for Sunday's clash with Derby County.

Leeds are sitting top of the Championship table on goal difference, while the Rams will enter the final game of 2024 in 14th position.

We say: Derby County 2-2 Leeds United


Derby have avoided defeat in three of their last four matches, and while they face an almighty test in their home clash against the league leaders, we think they will do enough to hold Leeds to a draw in their final match of the calendar year.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match


Middlesbrough vs. Burnley (Sunday, 8.00pm)

Manager of Middlesbrough Michael Carrick applauds fans at the end of his side's match Burnley against Burnley, on December 6, 2024© Imago

On Sunday, Burnley will attempt to claim a fourth consecutive victory when they travel to the Riverside Stadium for a meeting with playoff hopefuls Middlesbrough.

The Clarets are in third place in the Championship table, while the hosts are sitting just outside of the top-six in seventh place.

We say: Middlesbrough 2-2 Burnley


Burnley had to be content with a point when the two sides face off earlier this month, and while they may have won their last three matches, we think the Clarets may have to settle for another draw when they face a Boro side that have seen three of their previous five matches finish all square.

> Click here to read our full preview for this match

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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Leeds UnitedLeeds24156344152951
2Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd24156333141949
3Burnley2413923092148
4Sunderland24128436211544
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn2311572721638
6Middlesbrough24107741311037
7Watford2311483331237
8West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom2481242819936
9Swansea CitySwansea249692925433
10Bristol City248973028233
11Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds249693236-433
12Norwich CityNorwich247984036430
13Millwall237882220229
14Preston North EndPreston2461172630-429
15Coventry CityCoventry2477103234-228
16Derby CountyDerby2476112930-127
17Queens Park RangersQPR2451182432-826
18Stoke CityStoke2467112432-825
19Luton TownLuton2474132641-1525
20Oxford UnitedOxford Utd2366112639-1324
21Hull City2457122232-1022
22Cardiff CityCardiff2356122338-1521
23Portsmouth2248102640-1420
24Plymouth ArgylePlymouth2346132251-2918


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