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

MIDDLESBROUGH VS QUEENS PARK RANGERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Massimo Luongo’s on fire for Queens Park Rangers. QPR manager Ian Holloway heaped praise on the Australian midfielder following his man of the match performance against Millwall in their previous fixture. With Luongo pulling the strings in midfield, the R’s are unbeaten at home and travel to The Riverside full of confidence.

What will happen: Middlesbrough will find the back of the net. Coming off a 0-0 stalemate with Aston Villa, Garry Monk’s men will be eager to get on the scoresheet early in this encounter. With Britt Assombalonga leading the line with four goals to his name, Boro are a side more than capable of banging in the goals.

What won’t happen: QPR won’t return to West London with all three points. Despite some promising performances this campaign, Ian Holloway’s side will be outplayed by a Middlesbrough squad which read a lot better on paper. The R’s may have enough in them to force the draw but a win may just be out of their reach.

FFT predicts: 2-1

MILLWALL VS LEEDS UNITED (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: Leeds – seven games in and they’re top of the table and unbeaten so far this campaign. United are on a four-match winning streak in the league and have conceded just two goals prior to their meeting with Millwall this weekend. Thomas Christiansen’s side have proved all the pundits wrong and will look to get the job done against Millwall at The New Den.

What will happen: Samuel Saiz will have the final say. Since joining Leeds in July, the Spanish midfielder has accumulated an impressive goal scoring record, with six goals to his name from his first eight matches. Along with latest signing, Pierre-Michel Lasogga, Leeds have found goals easy to come by. The Hamburg loanee bagged himself a brace in his debut for his new club against Burton Albion.

What won’t happen: James Meredith’s Millwall won’t keep a clean sheet. The Lions will struggle to contain Leeds’ versatile attack while goals may be hard to come by at the other end with key striker, Lee Gregory suspended following his sending off against QPR in their midweek fixture.

FFT predicts: 0-3

NOTTINGHAM FOREST VS WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS (SUNDAY, 12AM AEST)

The big talking point: The lethal partnership of Forest’s Daryl Murphy and Barry McKay. The duo combined to provide the match winner in their most recent encounter against Sunderland. After their nail-biting end to last season, Forest find themselves flirting around the top of the table early in this campaign.

What will happen: Diogo Jota will prove a handful for Forest’s backline. The Portuguese playmaker has set the Championship alight since his arrival in the Black Country. With three goals to his name he’ll be sure to disturb Forest in their encounter at The City Ground.

Keep an eye out for both sides attacking partnerships as Forest’s Daryl Murphy and Barry McKay go head to head with Wolves’ Diogo Jota and Brazilian striker, Leo.

What won’t happen: A one sided affair. Based on their previous encounters, this match has all the signs to be a thrilling encounter which may come down to the wire. Nuno Santo’s side are well versed in finding the back of the net late on after Danny Batth’s 85th minute equaliser at Molineux in their latest match, a 3-3 draw with Bristol City.

FFT predicts: 2-2