BIRMINGHAM CITY VS PRESTON NORTH END (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Preston’s surge up the Championship ladder. Heading into their match with Birmingham, the Lilywhites sit in 5th place, high on confidence after their 3-0 victory over high flying Cardiff City. Preston boss, Alex Neil seems to be working his magic at the Lancashire club and he’ll hope that he can take all three points from their encounter at St Andrews.

What will happen: Birmingham will show signs of improvement in front of their fans. Harry Redknapp’s Blues haven’t had the best of starts to the campaign and are in desperate need for the three points coming into this match. Redknapp will feel the pressure from the supporters and his side will need to take something away from this game as they aim to steer clear from the relegation zone.

What won’t happen: A successful outing for the Blues. The Midlands outfit have been leaking goals throughout their campaign while Alex Neil’s side haven’t exactly been shy in front of goal. If Birmingham have any chance of taking points from this encounter, they’ll have to be resolute at the back.

FFT predicts: 1-3

CARDIFF CITY VS SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Cardiff City’s fairy-tale run brought to an abrupt end. The Welsh outfit were on the wrong side of a 3-0 score line in their midweek fixture at Preston. The result has left Neil Warnock’s men crashing back to reality as they prepare for their next match with Sheffield Wednesday.

What will happen: A tight affair. Cardiff City must be at their best if they want to overcome the Yorkshire outfit. If Wednesday come out firing on Saturday, they’ll compound more misery on their opposition, who are eager to prove that their midweek performance was a one-off. Carlos Carvalhal’s men are experiencing a purple patch and they’ll hope that continues in their upcoming fixture.

What won’t happen: Fernando Forestieri won’t be on the scoresheet for the Owls. The Italian striker scored the winner the last time these two sides met at Hillsborough. However, Wednesday must do without him for this match, the Italian’s out injured and isn’t expected to return until early December.

FFT predicts: 2-2

HULL CITY VS SUNDERLAND (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: The poor form of both sides. Sunderland come into this match, winless in their last three fixtures while Hull are hardly setting the Championship alight this campaign. With the pair having been relegated from the Premier League last season, they were expected to be frontrunners in the second tier this season. Jackson Irvine’s, Hull City sit in 16th place while the Black Cats lie 20th on the ladder, just above the relegation zone.

What will happen: The Tigers will pounce on the Black Cats misfortunes. Despite Leonid Slutsky suffering some early setbacks in his first managerial spell in England, he should be confident heading into this encounter with Sunderland. With Hull’s abundance of attacking talent, they should put a few past Sunderland’s fragile defence.

What won’t happen: Sunderland won’t beat the Tigers at the KCOM. Despite doing the league double over Hull in the Premier League last season, it’s hard to see how Simon Grayson’s men could take all three points from this fixture this time round.

FFT predicts: 3-1