15:00 Saturday

Reading vs West Brom – Reading 

West Brom have been dismal this year and have just sacked Steve Bruce off the back of a nine-game winless run. They sit 22nd in the table and look in a dire position for whoever comes in next. There one and only win came against Hull in August and the West Brom fans will expect more considering the squad they put together over the summer. The additions of John Swift and Jed Wallace seemed like shrew bits of business and maybe a new manager can turn the baggies fortunes around. 

Reading look like the clear favourites for this one though. Paul Ince has got his side playing some good stuff but has seen his side struggle with consistency. They sit 5th in the league and are well in the fight for a play-off spot this year. The only issue is they are the only team in the play-off positions still with a negative goal difference and this will be something the former England star will be looking to fix. Infront of a home crowd and against a very poor West Brom side, we think The Royals win this one. 

Sheffield United vs Blackpool – Sheffield United 

Paul Heckingbottom’s side are in a three-way race for the title so far this season but remain on top with superior goal difference. They’ve scored the most goals and have the second-best defensive record in the league so look like the early favourites for promotion should this run continue. They’re form has dipped in the last few weeks, losing two on the bounce against title rivals QPR and Stoke City. However, they come up against a struggling Blackpool side this weekend, so we expect them to get back to winning ways. 

Watford vs Norwich – Norwich 

Slaven Bilic’s reign at Watford got off to a great start with a 4-0 win away at Stoke but has somewhat stalled of late. They were beaten 2-1 at home by an inform Swansea then they suffered a humiliating 3-1 loss to a struggling Blackpool side. They sit 14th in the table and don’t look likely to win promotion back to the big time, hence the owner’s decision to sack Rob Edwards so soon into the season.  

They host Dean Smith’s Norwich who are fighting for the title this year and look more than likely to win promotion but like Sheffield United have slipped up in recent weeks. They were beaten 3-2 at home by a goal shy Preston and Smith will be looking for a reply from his side when they visit Vicarage Road. We think Norwich will reply to their poor performance last week and get the win here. 

Cardiff vs Coventry – Cardiff 

Cardiff had a slow start to the season but have turned that around in recent weeks and have gone unbeaten in three and have only lost one of their last five. With two wins on the bounce, Mark Hudson will be hoping his side start climbing the table soon. They remain only three points off the play-offs and six off relegation, so this next run of fixtures is crucial for how their season turns out. 

Coventry haven’t been able to build on a good season last year so far. They sit rock bottom of the table with only one win to their name. despite this they will feel hard done by, drawing four of their first 10 games and they will feel they could have gained a few extra points along the way. With one team hitting their stride and one really struggling to get going, there should be only one winner here.