Sky Bet Championship team news, stats, KO times & odds

The race for the Sky Bet Championship play-offs and the battle to beat the drop continues this weekend.

Here is everything you need to know including kick-off times and TV coverage details, team news, statistics & Sky Bet odds.

Click here for Nick Hext's weekend EFL betting tips

Click here for the weekend's EFL permutations

Click here for latest Championship standings

Odds below correct at 2200 BST on 28/04/17

Cardiff v Newcastle

Date: Friday, April 28
Kick-off time: 1945 BST
TV Channel: Sky Sports 1
Venue:  Cardiff City Stadium

Odds: Cardiff 5/2, Newcastle 23/20, Draw 12/5

Cardiff are at full strength as Newcastle seek to keep their Sky Bet Championship title hopes alive on Friday night. Goalkeeper Allan McGregor missed the goalless draw at Wigan through illness but has trained this week and will replace Ben Amos. Top scorer Kenneth Zohore is fit after being rested at Wigan following a heavy workload. The long-serving Peter Whittingham could be in line for his final Bluebirds appearance in front of the home fans as the 32-year-old is out of contract this summer.

Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez is likely to make changes after seeing his side secure promotion to the Premier League with a 4-1 victory over Preston on Monday evening. The Spaniard has revealed skipper Jamaal Lascelles, defenders Vurnon Anita, Grant Hanley and Jesus Gamez and midfielder Matt Ritchie have all been playing through the pain barrier in recent games due to knocks, and are unlikely to be involved. Striker Dwight Gayle is still sidelined by a hamstring injury and will definitely play no part, although keeper Rob Elliot will hope to retain his place after making his comeback against Preston following more than 13 months on the sidelines with a cruciate ligament injury. Victory would leave the Magpies just a point behind leaders Brighton in the race for the title.

Barnsley v Burton Albion

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Oakwell

Odds: Barnsley 5/4, Burton 19/10, Draw 5/2

Barnsley captain Marc Roberts will be absent after being ruled out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury. Defender Andy Yiadom (shoulder) is also sidelined, along with Aidy White (pelvis), Sessi D'Almeida (knee) and winger Adam Hammill, while midfielder Matty James returns to the squad following the birth of his son.

Burton boss Nigel Clough hopes forward Cauley Woodrow will be fit to return to the squad following a calf problem. Goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin (shoulder) is out for the season so Stephen Bywater will continue between the posts.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Barnsley D W L D L; Burton Albion L D L W W

Top scorers: Marley Watkins (Barnsley) 10; Marvin Sordell (Burton Albion) 11

Referee: Jeremy Simpson (Lancashire)

Birmingham v Huddersfield

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue:  St Andrews'

Odds: Birmingham 21/20, Huddersfield 15/8, Draw 9/4

Birmingham are without captain Paul Robinson after he was banned for three games for violent conduct following an incident in the derby defeat at Aston Villa. Defender Michael Morrison is out as he continues to recover from a hernia operation.

Huddersfield full-back Tommy Smith is expected to return after a dead leg forced him to miss the midweek win at Wolves. With a play-off place secured head coach David Wagner may be tempted to make changes to rest a few players, including influential midfielder Aaron Mooy.

Last season: Huddersfield 1 Birmingham 1, Birmingham 0 Huddersfield 2

Last five league matches: Birmingham L L D L L; Huddersfield L W D L W

Top scorers: Lukas Jutkiewicz (Birmingham) 12; Elias Kachunga (Huddersfield) 13

Referee: Michael Jones (Chester)

Blackburn v Aston Villa

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Ewood Park   

Odds: Blackburn 21/20, Aston Villa 11/4, Draw 11/5

Winger Connor Mahoney will return to the Blackburn fold following a thigh strain. Corry Evans (groin) is the only absentee for relegation-threatened Rovers, with Charlie Mulgrew and Darragh Lenihan (both ankle) and Danny Graham (hip) available again.

Leading scorer Jonathan Kodjia returns from suspension for Villa after missing the derby win over Birmingham following his red card at Fulham. Midfielder Mile Jedinak is expected to be absent due to injury.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Blackburn L L W D D; Aston Villa W D L L W

Top scorers: Danny Graham & Sam Gallagher (Blackburn) 12; Jonathan Kodjia (Aston Villa) 19

Referee: Geoff Eltringham (Tyne & Wear)

Brighton v Bristol City

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1730 BST
TV Channel: Sky Sports 1
Venue: Amex Stadium   

Odds: Brighton 8/13, Bristol City 17/4, Draw 100/30

Brighton striker Sam Baldock could be fit to face his former club after missing six matches with a glute problem. Centre-back Shane Duffy will miss out again after fracturing a metatarsal, while fellow defender Connor Goldson remains sidelined after being diagnosed with a heart condition.

Bristol City are without Aaron Wilbraham as the veteran striker has been ruled out of the rest of the season with a knee problem. Midfielder Gary O'Neil (hamstring) is also unlikely to play again in this campaign.

Last season: Bristol City 0 Brighton 4, Brighton 2 Bristol City 1

Last five league matches: Brighton W W W W L; Bristol City L W W D W

Top scorers: Glenn Murray (Brighton) 22; Tammy Abraham (Bristol City) 26

Referee: Oliver Langford (W Midlands)

Derby v Wolverhampton

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Pride Park

Odds: Derby 17/20, Wolves 16/5, Draw 12/5

Markus Olsson is doubtful for Derby after coming off injured in the loss at Sheffield Wednesday, meaning Chris Baird could deputise at left-back. Jason Shackell (back), Nick Blackman (knee), Craig Forsyth (knee) and George Thorne (leg) all remain sidelined.

Goalkeeper Andy Lonergan is doubtful for Wolves after injuring his back in the warm-up before Tuesday's defeat to Huddersfield. Matt Doherty is battling a hamstring injury, while forward Joe Mason is back after a groin problem.

Last season: Wolverhampton 2 Derby 1, Derby 4 Wolverhampton 2

Last five league matches: Derby W W L D L; Wolverhampton L L W D L

Top scorers: Tom Ince (Derby) 14; Helder Costa (Wolverhampton) 12

Referee: Chris Kavanagh (Lancashire)

Fulham v Brentford

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500  BST
Venue: Craven Cottage

Odds: Fulham 8/15, Brentford 19/5, Draw 18/5

Fulham hope Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen will be fit after he limped off against Huddersfield last weekend. Striker Chris Martin misses out again as he completes a three-match suspension.

Brentford will check on midfielder Ryan Woods, who is struggling with a foot injury. Defender Andreas Bjelland is fit after a hamstring problem but unlikely to start, while Lasse Vibe should be available after having stitches removed from his ankle.

Last season: Brentford 3 Fulham 0, Fulham 2 Brentford 2

Last five league matches: Fulham L W W W W; Brentford W L W D W

Top scorers: Stefan Johansen (Fulham) 13; Lasse Vibe (Brentford) 15

Referee: Darren Bond (Lancashire)

Ipswich v Sheffield Wednesday

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Portman Road

Odds: Ipswich 11/4, Sheffield Wednesday 21/20, Draw 9/4

Ipswich expect leading scorer Tom Lawrence to be available following an ankle injury. Midfielders Toumani Diagouraga (groin) and Jonny Williams (hamstring) are not available, but forward David McGoldrick should return to the side, along with Cole Skuse, Emyr Huws and Grant Ward.

Wednesday midfielder David Jones is set to return to the squad after missing last weekend's win over Derby because of illness. Sam Hutchinson returned to training this week after a calf injury and could feature.

Last season: Sheff Wed 1 Ipswich 1, Ipswich 2 Sheff Wed 1

Last five league matches: Ipswich W L W W L; Sheff Wed W W W W W

Top scorers: Tom Lawrence (Ipswich) 11; Sam Winnall (Sheff Wed) 13

Referee: James Adcock (Nottinghamshire)

Leeds v Norwich

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Elland Road

Odds: Leeds 23/20, Norwich 21/10, Draw 5/2

Leeds midfielder Liam Bridcutt will miss out due to a sore Achilles. Centre-back Liam Cooper serves the final match of his six-game suspension. Winger Hadi Sacko is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.

Norwich will have Swiss defender Timm Klose available again following a knee injury. Midfielders Wes Hoolahan (hip) and Alex Tettey (back) have both been ruled out. Goalkeeper Michael McGovern has been given some time away on compassionate leave.

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Leeds L W D L L; Norwich L W L W W

Top scorers: Chris Wood (Leeds) 28; Cameron Jerome (Norwich) 16

Referee: Tony Harrington (Cleveland)

Preston North End v Rotherham

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Deepdale

Odds: Preston 1/2, Rotherham 5/1, Draw 7/2

Preston are without suspended pair Ben Pearson and Paul Gallagher, with the former completing a three-game ban and the latter sitting out for one match after his dismissal for deliberate handball at Newcastle. Alex Baptiste will return from suspension for North End, but captain Tom Clarke (Achilles) and full-back Greg Cunningham (broken leg) are out.

Relegated Rotherham will be without top scorer Danny Ward due to a hamstring injury. Defender Semi Ajayi also has a hamstring problem and will be monitored.

Last season: Preston North End 2 Rotherham 1, Rotherham 0 Preston North End 0

Last five league matches: Preston North End W L L L L; Rotherham L L D L W

Top scorers: Jordan Hugill (Preston North End) 13; Danny Ward (Rotherham) 12

Referee: Robert Jones (Merseyside)

QPR v Nottingham Forest

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Loftus Road

Odds: QPR 7/5, Nottingham Forest 19/10, Draw 23/10

QPR defender Grant Hall remains a doubt after missing three matches through injury. Rangers otherwise have no new injuries with boss Ian Holloway likely to make more changes following a sixth straight defeat.

Forest boss Mark Warburton hopes Danny Fox will recover from the minor injury that forced him off during the home win against Reading. Winger Mustapha Carayol should be available following cramp, while forward Zach Clough has shaken off a niggle. Jack Hobbs may still not be ready after his recent injury problems.

Last season: Nottm Forest 0 QPR 0, QPR 1 Nottm Forest 2

Last five league matches: QPR L L L L L; Nottm Forest L W L L W

Top scorers: Idrissa Sylla (QPR) 13; Zach Clough (Nottm Forest) 13

Referee: James Linington (Isle of Wight)

Reading v Wigan

Date: Saturday, April 29
Kick-off time: 1500 BST
Venue: Madjeski Stadium

Odds: Reading 4/5, Wigan 100/30, Draw 13/5

Reading pair Paul McShane and Joey van den Berg have returned to training but are still unavailable for selection. Callum Harriott has had a second hamstring operation, while Sandro Wieser, Stephen Quinn and Deniss Rakels also remain out.

Struggling Wigan may risk strikers Nick Powell (hamstring) and Omar Bogle (thigh). Jake Buxton (toe) is a doubt, while Will Grigg, Alex Gilbey, Andy Kellett and Donervon Daniels (all knee) are sidelined, along with Reece James (ankle) and Jakob Haugaard (shoulder).

Last season: No Corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Reading W L W W L; Wigan L W W L D

Top scorers: Yann Kermorgant (Reading) 16; Omar Bogle (Wigan) 22

Referee: Tim Robinson (West Sussex)