- Stoke open this week's Championship action on Friday under new management
- Promotion hopefuls Sunderland and Middlesbrough go head to head on Saturday
- Lancashire rivals Preston and Blackburn close out the weekend's fare on Sunday

The action is coming thick and fast in the Championship and week six features plenty of crunch clashes, including a derby dust-up from the Stadium of Light between Sunderland and Middlesbrough.

The second-tier fixtures get underway with Stoke at home to Hull on Friday, before 10 games on Saturday, which begins with a televised tussle between Norwich and Watford, while Preston host Lancashire rivals Blackburn on Sunday.

We look at all 12 games and have provided a score prediction for each.

Stoke vs Hull (Friday, 8pm)

New Stoke manager Narcis Pelach can make it a winning start at home to Hull, who have not triumphed in seven Championship clashes and have failed to score in three.

The Potters have won three of their last four home league games to nil and may prove too strong for the toiling Tigers.

Score prediction: Stoke 2-0 Hull

Norwich vs Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Watford have lost only one of their opening five league games under manager Tom Cleverley and, having drawn 1-1 at home to Coventry last weekend, the same result may follow at Norwich. 

The Canaries have made a slower start to the season under new manager Johannes Hoff Thorup and the Canaries have drawn their last five home league matches.

Score prediction: Norwich 1-1 Watford

QPR vs Millwall (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Three of QPR’s last four league games have finished as score draws and the trend may continue against London rivals Millwall, who were held to a point at Hull on their last away trip.

Both teams have scored in QPR’s opening five Championship clashes.

Score prediction: QPR 2-2 Millwall 

Sunderland vs Middlesbrough (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Sunderland’s perfect start to the Championship season came to an end with last weekend’s 3-2 loss at Plymouth but they can get back to winning ways against local rivals Middlesbrough, who have won only one of their last four league games.

Score prediction: Sunderland 1-0 Middlesbrough

Bristol City vs Oxford (Saturday, 3pm)

Bristol City have suffered back-to-back defeats at Derby and Blackburn but they are a different force at Ashton Gate, where they are unbeaten in seven home league games.

Oxford have done well on their own patch but defeats at Coventry (3-2) and Blackburn (2-1) suggest they may struggle on their travels.

Score prediction: Bristol City 3-1 Oxford

Burnley vs Portsmouth (Saturday, 3pm)

Burnley registered a statement 1-0 victory away to title rivals Leeds last Saturday and they can follow up with another win to nil against Portsmouth at Turf Moor. Pompey are still searching for their first win of the season.

Score prediction: Burnley 3-0 Portsmouth

Cardiff vs Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)

Leeds have to respond to last weekend’s painful 1-0 loss at home to Burnley and should outclass basement boys Cardiff in the Welsh capital. The Bluebirds have lost both of their home games this season against Sunderland and Middlesbrough 2-0.

Score prediction: Cardiff 0-2 Leeds

Coventry vs Swansea (Saturday, 3pm)

Coventry are playing better than their league position implies and they can see off the Swans, who have lost back-to-back away games 1-0 at Middlesbrough and West Brom.

Score prediction: Coventry 1-0 Swansea

Luton vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)

Luton ended their winless start to the season with a gritty 1-0 success at Millwall last weekend and they can follow up by defeating Sheffield Wednesday at Kenilworth Road.

The Owls have lost 17 of their last 25 away matches in the Championship.

Score prediction: Luton 1-0 Sheffield Wednesday

Sheffield United vs Derby (Saturday, 3pm)

Sheffield United are one of three unbeaten teams in the Championship and they should take maximum points against Derby at Bramall Lane. The Rams have lost both away games at Blackburn and Watford, although they netted on each occasion.

Score prediction: Sheffield United 3-1 Derby

West Brom vs Plymouth (Saturday, 3pm)

West Brom head the way in the early-season Championship standings, winning four and drawing one of their five games, and they should be too good for Plymouth.

The Pilgrims tend to struggle on their travels and the Baggies have conceded only twice in five games.

Score prediction: West Brom 2-0 Plymouth

Preston vs Blackburn (Sunday, 3pm)

It was 2-2 when these two met at Deepdale in February last season and this latest Lancashire rivalry could be another feast of goals.

Blackburn remain unbeaten, having secured score draws in their last two away trips at Norwich and Burnley, and they may settle for another point at Preston.

Score prediction: Preston 2-2 Blackburn