Saturday 24 February 2018 08:06, UK
David Prutton returns with his predictions ahead of this weekend's Sky Bet EFL matches.
But who is our resident expert tipping for victory? Read on to find out...
Wolves are still a good amount clear at the top of the league but that gap can close quickly if they keep letting results slip like they did against Norwich in midweek. The job's not done yet.
Fulham's momentum has been ever-so-slightly halted by a couple of draws lately, but they'll still be an extremely tough proposition for Wolves, who are yet to drop points in three games in a row this season. I fancy an entertaining draw.
Prutton predicts: 2-2 with Aleksandar Mitrovic to score first (66/1 with Sky Bet)
Just as Birmingham looked to be getting away from the bottom three... a hat-trick of defeats has dragged them right back into heat of the battle.
Losing at home to Burton in midweek was a bit of a disaster for new Barnsley boss Jose Morais, and to be beaten by another relegation rival so soon afterwards will leave them in even bigger trouble. The Tykes have just one win in their last 17 league games and I can't see them leaving St Andrew's with anything.
Prutton predicts: 1-0 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
It was a massive win for Burton at Barnsley in midweek, having failed to win any of their last six and appearing doomed. They have this habit of picking up results the moment everyone writes them off and getting themselves back out of trouble.
Millwall, however, are flying at the moment and Neil Harris has done a fantastic job and they feel like they can win every game they play. Burton will have their tails up, though, and I'm backing a draw.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)
Paul Heckingbottom has experienced a full range of emotions in just three games in charge of Leeds, but he's yet to have that winning feeling and that late equaliser against Derby was a real blow for him.
Brentford are in great form and are within touching distance of the top six again. They absolutely destroyed Birmingham in midweek and will be feeling confident ahead of their trip to Elland Road. I have a feeling they're going to sneak it as well.
Prutton predicts: 0-1 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
Both these sides drew in midweek but in very different circumstances. Whereas Reading threw away a late lead to draw at Nottingham Forest, Derby scored a last-minute equaliser against Leeds. And you wonder what effect that will have on this game at the Madjeski.
Both sides have forgotten a little what it's like to win lately, and Derby could really use three points to keep in touch with the sides above them in the battle for automatic promotion. I reckon they'll get back up and running.
Prutton predicts: 0-2 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
It shows how quickly things can change in the Championship that Aston Villa have gone from favourites for second place to four points off Cardiff in the space of a few days.
Sheffield Wednesday got a fantastic win at Villa Park in the reverse fixture but they've changed managers since and their form has stuttered badly. It's a tough game to call but I fancy Villa to edge it.
Prutton predicts: 0-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
Sunderland weren't too bad at Bolton in midweek but it was still another defeat and another game where they never really looked like scoring. That comeback at Bristol City a couple of weeks ago is starting to look like an anomaly rather than the start of any kind of resurgence.
Middlesbrough will be more than happy to put another nail in the coffin of their rivals. They've not won back-to-back league games yet under Tony Pulis but I reckon that run will come to an end here. Away win.
Prutton predicts: 0-2 (15/2 with Sky Bet)
What a couple of results these two sides had in the FA Cup last weekend! Rochdale came crashing back to earth in midweek, however, with a goalless draw at home to MK Dons. They've got a lot of games in hand on all the sides above them but games in hand are not points, and they need to start picking up points quickly if they're to get out of trouble.
Wigan have dropped out of the top two after a couple of league defeats, and they've also got games in hand on the sides above them. I think Rochdale will have enough fight to get a draw.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (13/2 with Sky Bet)
Mansfield are finally starting to show the form that made them pre-season favourites in League Two. They're knocking on the door of the top three now and will be waiting to pounce if there are any slip-ups above them.
Coventry, meanwhile, seem to have suffered a little from their FA Cup exploits and dropped right out the play-off places after three straight defeats. This is a home win for me.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
