James Mason's EFL acca for Saturday's games includes wins for Watford and Sunderland in the Championship.
FA Cup first round weekend means a reduced EFL schedule featuring 10 Championship games.
QPR are hoping for a bright start under their new manager, Marti Cifuentes, when they travel to fellow strugglers Rotherham for a key clash between relegation rivals.
And fast-improving Stoke are targeting a fourth straight victory when they take on sixth-placed Cardiff at the bet365 Stadium.
Best bets
Watford to beat Huddersfield @ 13/10
QPR to beat Rotherham @ 17/10
Stoke to beat Cardiff @ 23/20
Sunderland to beat Swansea @ 8/5
Huddersfield v Watford (Saturday, 3pm)
Watford have taken seven points from three games since the last international break and they have a great chance to register another victory when taking on out-of-form Huddersfield at the John Smith’s Stadium.
The Hornets had a difficult start to the season but they kept faith with their manager, Valerien Ismael, and are showing signs of improvement.
Solid defence underpinned Watford’s 1-0 successes at home to Sheffield Wednesday and away to Swansea, and there was plenty of attacking intent last weekend as Ismael’s side racked up 19 shots in a 2-2 draw at home to Millwall.
Watford’s resurgence looks bad news for Huddersfield, who stayed fourth bottom after last Saturday’s 4-1 loss at Leeds.
The Terriers succumbed 4-0 to Cardiff in their last home game and they could struggle this weekend.
Rotherham v QPR (Saturday, 3pm)
Marti Cifuentes has been handed the task of steering QPR to Championship survival and he can get off to the best possible start by masterminding an away victory at fellow strugglers Rotherham.
A change of direction was probably needed for QPR, who have registered just five wins in 37 matches throughout 2023.
Whether Cifuentes is the right man for the job remains to be seen, but he inherits a team who showed up well in last Saturday’s 2-1 loss at home to leaders Leicester.
QPR ran the Foxes close despite playing most of the second half with 10 men and they face a much easier task against the third-bottom Millers, who have been injury-ravaged in recent weeks.
Rotherham were beaten 2-0 at basement boys Sheffield Wednesday on Monday and they could be humbled by the Hoops.
Stoke v Cardiff (Saturday, 3pm)
Stoke have played as well as any Championship side over the last few weeks and they can extend their winning sequence to four by defeating Cardiff at the bet365 Stadium.
The Potters have benefited from a healthier squad since the international break and their rising confidence levels were evident when they triumphed 2-0 at Middlesbrough last weekend.
Alex Neil’s side are edging closer to the playoffs and might be a little too strong for Cardiff, who are less reliable on their travels.
The Bluebirds have tasted defeat on four of seven Championship road trips and they could struggle in the Potteries.
Swansea v Sunderland (Saturday, 3pm)
Sunderland returned to the top eight after last Saturday’s 3-1 victory at home to Norwich and they can inch closer to the promotion conversation by defeating Swansea at the Liberty Stadium.
Classy Black Cats winger Jack Clarke racked up his ninth goal of the season against the Canaries and his pace and skill could be key to subduing the Swans.
Tony Mowbray’s side have posted three away league wins this season and are quite capable of overcoming their Welsh hosts, who have suffered back-to-back home defeats.
