Saturday 16 December 2017 13:59, 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...
What a rally it was from Cardiff to nick a point at Reading on Monday night. It just goes to show the character that Neil Warnock has built into this side that are right up there as we approach the midway point in the season.
Nigel Adkins would have been delighted to get off the mark straight away against Brentford last week, but this is a tough challenge for them and they'd be more than happy with a point.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 with Jarrod Bowen to score first (35/1 with Sky Bet)
This is a big, big game for QPR, who could get dragged right back into the relegation battle if they are beaten here. That didn't look at all likely a few weeks ago when they beat Wolves and Sheffield United on their own patch, but their form has deteriorated since.
Birmingham just can't find a goal from anywhere, netting just 10 times in 21 games so far. There are five strikers in the division who have scored more! And because of that I'm going for a dour goalless draw.
Prutton predicts: 0-0 (8/1 with Sky Bet)
What a fantastic run of form Bristol City have been on. This time last year they'd just started slipping badly down the table after a good start and fans were getting on Lee Johnson's back, but that's all changed completely.
The pressure will always be on at Nottingham Forest because they're such a massive club, but it shouldn't be forgotten that they survived relegation by the absolute skin of their teeth last season, and mid-table would suit Mark Warburton and Co fine. The Robins are flying though and this is a home win for me.
Prutton predicts: 2-1 (7/1 with Sky Bet)
Now this is a big game! If either of these sides really wants to kick on and challenge for a place in the top two then victory would be a big statement at Pride Park on Saturday.
Derby have won four of their last five and conceded just a single goal in that run, so Villa may find it tough to break them down. But if Villa score early and both teams go for it then I fancy an entertaining draw.
Prutton predicts: 2-2 (14/1 with Sky Bet)
Norwich finally got a win on the board last weekend to end their dreadful run and ease some of the pressure on Daniel Farke. But their reward for that is a tough trip to Elland Road to face a Leeds side who are trying to close in on the play-off places.
Thomas Christiansen's side have got over their dip in form, but haven't recorded back-to-back wins since mid-September, and you really need those runs of results to get yourself up the table. I can't split them though. Score draw.
Prutton predicts: 1-1 (5/1 with Sky Bet)
If this game had taken place a month ago you'd have this down as a nailed-on away win. But Preston have turned a bit of a corner and are unbeaten in five as they close back in on the play-offs.
Sheffield United, meanwhile, have really hit a bad patch of form as they've picked up just a single point in four games, and that late defeat against Bristol City last weekend was a real hammer blow. I just have a feeling, though, that this will be the game where they get back on form again.
Prutton predicts: 1-2 (10/1 with Sky Bet)
We've reached a year since Sunderland last won a game at home. December 17, 2016 was the last time the Black Cats could celebrate victory at the Stadium of Light, when they beat Watford in the Premier League.
They're up against a somewhat revitalised Fulham who have started to rediscover some of the style that catapulted them into the play-offs last season. But I think this will be the day for Sunderland when that dreadful run ends.
Prutton predicts: 1-0 (17/2 with Sky Bet)
Five wins on the spin now for Blackburn and they really have closed the gap on the top two of Wigan and Shrewsbury.
Charlton, however, have just dropped off a little of late and they could really do with a positive result here to get themselves back up and running. Despite that, I can't see them stopping Rovers here.
Prutton predicts: 1-0 (11/2 with Sky Bet)
The League Two play-off race is always so tight, and that is perfectly reflected by the fact that two wins in a row have seen Lincoln climb from mid-table right back into the top seven.
These two sides met at Sincil Bank in the Checkatrade Trophy last week as Lincoln edged a 3-2 win, but this will be an entirely different game. Accrington want a victory to keep pace at the top, but this will be a difficult trip and I think they'll be going home disappointed.
Prutton predicts: 2-0 (9/1 with Sky Bet)
