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Championship preview

Image: Malky Mackay: Hoping Cardiff can cement their standing at the summit

Cardiff will be looking to ensure that they occupy top spot at Christmas, while Peterborough's turkey will taste a little sweeter if they can move off the bottom.

Bluebirds face Foxes; Palace take on Terriers; Boro go to Leeds

Cardiff will be looking to ensure that they occupy top spot at Christmas, while Peterborough's turkey will taste a little sweeter if they can move off the bottom. Elsewhere, there are two games on Friday to get the festive programme up and running and a televised clash at Selhurst Park to round off a busy weekend of second tier action. It is possible that Hull City will be sat inside the automatic promotion places on Christmas Day, but they must see off Derby on Friday and hope that other results go their way. Blackpool have overcome a wobble to get their push for a top-six finish back on track and they will want to take another positive step forward when they entertain Wolves in front of the Sky Sports 2HD cameras. On Saturday, table-topping Cardiff know that three points will be enough to keep them at the summit, but they face a tough test away at fifth-placed Leicester. Middlesbrough are well-placed among the frontrunners, but they are also set to take in a tricky trip out on the road as they go to Leeds - who will be looking to bounce back from their Capital One Cup disappointment against Chelsea and welcome their new owners in style. Millwall have worked hard to put themselves in the play-off mix and will fancy their chances of holding firm when they welcome struggling Barnsley to The Den.

Ambition

Watford and Nottingham Forest both harbour ambitions of breaking into the top six before the season is out, and they go head-to-head at Vicarage Road. Three straight draws have held Brighton back somewhat and they will be looking to return to winning ways when they travel to Blackburn - who have suffered four defeats in their last five. Rock-bottom Peterborough stunned Cardiff last time out to collect three-much needed points and will be looking for more of the same when they play host to Bolton. Sheffield Wednesday also ended their long wait for a win last weekend, after losing seven on the bounce, and they could move out of the drop zone with victory over Charlton. Birmingham would have been hoping for much more than a 19th place standing at Christmas, but the Blues can lift the mood around St Andrew's when they face Burnley. Ipswich's home date with fellow strugglers Bristol City will have plenty riding on it, with the two clubs currently perched just outside the relegation zone and looking anxiously over their shoulder. The final fixture on Saturday will see high-flying Crystal Palace attempt to condemn Huddersfield to a seventh game without a win live on Sky Sports 2HD.

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