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David Prutton's EFL predictions

Prutton's Predictions

David Prutton returns with his predictions ahead of this weekend's Sky Bet EFL matches.

But who is he tipping for victory? Read on to find out...

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Aston Villa v Wolves, Saturday 5.30pm - Live on Sky Sports Football

Wolves answered some of their critics with a convincing win at Leeds on Wednesday night but a trip to Villa Park is a totally different proposition for them.

Aston Villa are in great form at the moment and they will be hoping to close the gap on the league leaders with victory here and boost their own hopes of automatic promotion. I'm backing an entertaining draw.

Prutton predicts: 2-2 with Lewis Grabban to score first (80/1 with Sky Bet)

Live EFL

Nottingham Forest v Derby, Sunday 2.30pm - Live on Sky Sports Football

Derby just cannot buy a win at the moment. They were favourites behind Wolves for automatic promotion a couple of weeks ago but now they are at risk of slipping out of the play-offs entirely.

Nottingham Forest would love to strike a blow to their rivals' top-six chances, there's no doubt about that. It will be more than enough to get the home fans going at the City Ground and it should be a cracking atmosphere on Sunday. I cannot split them at the moment, and I think it will be a draw.

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Prutton predicts: 2-2 with Matej Vydra to score first (45/1 with Sky Bet)

Live EFL

Burton v Bristol City, Saturday 3pm

Bristol City face a real battle to get back into the play-offs now that Middlesbrough are ahead of them and starting to turn the screw under Tony Pulis.

Burton are still in the battle for survival because none of the sides around them can seem to get any wins either. This is a decent opportunity for them to get some points on the board but I think the Robins will have the quality to sneak this one.

Prutton predicts: 0-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

Cardiff v Birmingham, Saturday 3pm

Five wins on the spin now for Cardiff and they will be feeling extremely confident of making that six against a hopelessly out-of-form Birmingham, while trying to put some more pressure on Wolves in the process.

New Blues boss Garry Monk would not have wanted to face old side Middlesbrough in his first game, and it doesn't get any easier for them as they try and push for survival. This is a home banker for me.

Prutton predicts: 2-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and Barnsley

Middlesbrough v Barnsley, Saturday 3pm

Middlesbrough are back in the top six and finally look to be heading in the right direction. They absolutely dismantled Leeds last Friday night and followed that up with a good win at Birmingham in midweek.

Barnsley are hovering above the relegation zone and it's hard to see how much improvement has been made under Jose Morais. This is a tough trip for them, and I cannot see them getting anything from it.

Prutton predicts: 2-1 (15/2 with Sky Bet)

Preston v Fulham, Saturday 3pm

Back-to-back wins for Preston and they are on the cusp of the play-off places again all of a sudden. Alex Neil's side are just a point off the top six and you wonder if Norwich will regret letting him go now, as they hover in mid-table obscurity.

Fulham dismantled Sheffield United on Tuesday night and they're looking unstoppable at the moment. Deepdale is such a tough place to go, though, and I think this will be a draw.

Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)

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Highlights of the Sky Bet Championship match between Fulham and Sheffield Utd

QPR v Sunderland, Saturday 3pm

QPR will be pleased with the way they battled back to claim a late draw against Derby on Tuesday night, and a couple more points should be enough to guarantee their safety this season.

Sunderland, meanwhile, will see this game as an opportunity to pick up some points as they try and claw their way off the bottom of the table. This will not be a pretty game, but QPR should have enough for a narrow win.

Prutton predicts: 1-0 (13/2 with Sky Bet)

Reading v Leeds, Saturday 3pm

Reading are now without a win in their last six games and it would probably be seven if their match at Wolves had not been called off last week! They are still hovering very uncomfortably near the wrong end of the table.

This is a good chance for them, however, against a Leeds side who have been battered twice in the last seven days and will be low on confidence. Score draw for me.

Prutton predicts: 1-1 (9/2 with Sky Bet)

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Highlights from the Sky Bet Championship as Leeds hosted Wolves

Blackburn v Blackpool, Saturday 3pm

Blackburn will be extremely disappointed with the way they let their two-goal lead slip against Wigan last Sunday. They still lead League One but the automatic promotion race is really hard to call right now because of how many games in hand the Shrews and Wigan have.

Blackpool, meanwhile, have turned their form around in recent weeks and are slowly moving out of trouble. I cannot, however, see them getting anything at Ewood Park.

Prutton predicts: 3-1 (12/1 with Sky Bet)

Luton v Accrington, Saturday 3pm

Accrington's incredible form in the past couple of months means they have emerged as the main challengers to Luton for the League Two title ahead of this game on Saturday.

Just a point separate the Hatters and second-place Stanley, although they will be both be more concerned with finishing in the top three and securing promotion this season. This will be a good game between two attacking sides, but I fancy Luton to edge it.

Prutton predicts: 3-2 (25/1 with Sky Bet)

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Highlights of the Sky Bet League Two match between Cambridge United and Luton Town

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