Before the Round – Trends on the England Championship (26/12)

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The Championship will offer up a festival fixture list on Boxing Day. Sheffield United will have the chance to pull level with first-place Burnley on points.

The Clarets won’t play until Tuesday, giving the Blades the chance to take over first place. Meanwhile, Huddersfield are desperate for points to get off the bottom of the table.

Preston North End - Huddersfield Town

Seventh-place Preston will host 24th-place Huddersfield Town at Deepdale. The Lilywhites are unbeaten in five of their last six games against Huddersfield Town in all competitions.

Preston took 12 points from the last 18 points on offer in the league. However, they are coming off a 1-0 home loss to Queens Park Rangers.

Huddersfield picked up four points from the last six games. The team made the playoffs last season but this term, Preston are struggling to pick up points. The Terriers are on a two-game losing streak in the Championship.

• Preston North End are unbeaten at half time in their last 13 Championship games.
• No goals have been scored by Huddersfield in their last 3 games in Championship
• Preston North End haven't suffered any defeats in their 7 most recent home matches against Huddersfield in all competitions.
• Huddersfield have won only 1 of their last 11 away Championship matches.
• Prediction: Preston North End @1.80

Sheffield United - Coventry City

Second-place Sheffield United host 14th-place Coventry City at Bramall Lane. The Blades are on a three-game winning streak in the league ahead of this fixture.

Sheffield United have a home record of 6W3D-2L. Paul Heckingbottom’s team has scored 23 times at home and allowed 11 goals to opponents.

Coventry City do have a strong record against Sheffield United with 3W-1D-2L in their last six meetings. The Sky Blues posted a 1-0 win in the Championship against Sheffield United in October.

• There have been 3 consecutive Championship wins in a row for Sheffield United.
• Under 2.5 goals have been scored in the 6 most recent away Championship games of Coventry City.
• Sheffield United are unbeaten in 23 of their last 27 home all competitions games.
• Coventry City haven't lost in 6 of their last 7 away matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Sheffield United @1.70

Cardiff City - Queens Park Rangers

Cardiff City will host Queens Park Rangers on Boxing Day as the Bluebirds attempt to move away from the bottom three. Queens Park Rangers are back in the top six after a shock win against Preston North End a week ago.

QPR are not in good form despite last weekend’s win. The Hoops took four points from their last six games, which was the second-worst in the Championship. QPR won five of their last six games against Cardiff City.

Cardiff City are winless in their last four league matches with two defeats and two draws. The Bluebirds are not playing well at home, as their last four matches on their own turf ended without victories.

• Cardiff City have achieved just 1 wins in their 6 most recent home games in all competitions.
• QPR are on a poor run of just 1 wins in 7 matches (all competitions).
• Cardiff City have been scoring 0.77 goals on average in their home games in all competitions.
• QPR haven't lost to Cardiff City in 5 of their 6 most recent games in all competitions.
• Prediction: Both Teams to Score - No @1.83

Luton Town - Norwich City

Luton Town and Norwich City split their last six head-to-head encounters with three wins apiece. The Hatters went to Carrow Road earlier this season and left with a 1-0 victory. Norwich City lost on their last two trips to Kenilworth Road.

Luton Town are four points off the final promotion playoff place. However, the Hatters are not in good form, with just six points coming from their last six games.

Norwich City are fifth and trying to hold onto a promotion playoff place. The Canaries lost two of their last three games in the Championship. Norwich City are a strong road team and go into the game on a two-game winning streak away from Carrow Road.

• Luton Town are on an unbeaten run of 7 home games in their Championship participation.
• Norwich are on an unfortunate period as they have lost two of their last three games in the Championship.
• Luton Town haven't lost a match in 22 of their last 25 home matches in Championship.
• Norwich are scoring 0.77 goals on average this season in Championship.
• Prediction: Norwich City @2.60