Before the round – England Championship Round 38 (15-16/03/2022)

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The Championship will offer up a round of midweek matches with teams fighting for promotion places and relegation survival. Just seven points separate eight teams from the final Championship playoff place. Meanwhile, five points separate three teams fighting for Championship survival.

Birmingham City – Middlesbrough

Chris Wilder’s Middlesbrough cannot string wins together at the moment. The team’s FA Cup form could be getting in the way of prolonged winning in the Championship. Birmingham City are unbeaten in two straight games and will finish the season just outside the relegation zone as it stands.

Birmingham City won their last two matches versus Middlesbrough. That includes the teams’ Championship fixture played earlier this season. Birmingham City won 2-0 at the Riverside. The Blues took eight points from the last 18 points available and are unbeaten in back-to-back games.

Middlesbrough are one point off of the Championship promotion playoffs. Form is wavering at the Riverside Stadium, however. Middlesbrough took just seven points from the last 18 points available. At the weekend, the Boro will play Chelsea at home in the FA Cup quarter finals.

• Birmingham City have won just 3 of their last 18 matches in all competitions.
• In their last 8 away games in Championship, Middlesbrough have recorded only 1 win.
• Birmingham City are conceding an average of 1.51 goals in Championship matches.
• Middlesbrough haven't lost in 6 of their last 7 away encounters with Birmingham City in Championship.
• Prediction: Middlesbrough @ 2.20

Blackburn Rovers - Derby County

Blackburn Rovers are clinging onto their Championship promotion playoff status. Tony Mowbray’s side cannot stop dropping points. Derby County are five points from safety. A win at Ewood Park could send them closer to Reading and survival.

The Rams lost four of their last five matches in the league. Still, Wayne Rooney’s team picked up six points from the last 18 points available in the division. Derby County are on a three-game losing streak versus Blackburn Rovers heading into the game on Tuesday.

Blackburn Rovers took five points from the last 18 points available in the league. They are winless in three straight matches and could end Tuesday night outside of the top six. Blackburn are the Championship’s third-best home team with 37 points from 19 matches at Ewood Park.

• Blackburn Rovers are on an unfortunate streak of 3 all competitions games where they have not managed to score a goal.
• Derby County's latest record consists of 7 straight away losses in all competitions.
• Blackburn Rovers are unbeaten in 14 of their last 17 home all competitions games.
• In their 30 most recent away matches of all competitions, Derby County have achieved just 2 wins.
• Prediction: Blackburn Rovers @ 1.80

Blackpool - Sheffield United

Blackpool won 1-0 at Bramall Lane earlier this season in the Championship. Now, Neil Critchley’s team host the Blades with the chance to do the league double. Sheffield United cannot afford to drop points. They are sixth in the league and occupy the final promotion playoff place.

The race for the top six is tight with eight teams separated from Sheffield United by as few as seven points. A loss to Blackpool would likely see Sheffield United fall out of the top six. The Blades won just one of their last four games and are coming off of a 4-1 loss to Coventry City.

Blackpool are comfortable in midtable. Experts predicted Blackpool to fight relegation, but ex-Liverpool coach Critchley has them in 12th place. Just six points separate Blackpool from the promotion playoff places. The Tangerines are on a three-match winning streak.

• Blackpool have won their last 3 games in the Championship.
• Sheffield United are unbeaten at half time in their last 15 Championship games.
• In their 11 most recent matches of Championship, Blackpool have been undefeated 9 times.
• Sheffield United have finished their last 5 away all competitions matches in draws at half time.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals @ 1.57

Millwall - Huddersfield

Millwall are still in the mix for the promotion playoffs. Three points separate the Lions from the top six. On Wednesday, they will face off with third-place Huddersfield in a massive six-point fixture. Huddersfield are on a great run of form and will fancy a win in London.

The Lions are the Championship’s joint-best team in terms of form. Which club has equalled Millwall’s form over the last six games? Huddersfield. Millwall and Huddersfield both took 14 points from the last 18 points available in the league. Millwall conceded just once across the last six games.

Huddersfield are coming off of a 2-2 draw with West Brom. After leading 2-0, the Terriers collapsed late on. Manager Carlos Corberan cannot let the Terriers slip up again. Huddersfield are just two points back of automatic promotion.

• Millwall have finished their last 7 home all competitions matches in draws at half time.
• In all of their 17 most recent matches of Championship, there have been no losses for Huddersfield.
• Millwall haven't lost a match in 11 of their last 12 home matches in Championship.
• Huddersfield are undefeated at half time in their last 13 Championship games in a row.
• Prediction: Huddersfield @ 3.10