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10 in 10: David Prutton's EFL predictions - Newcastle, Aston Villa to bounce back with wins

David Prutton
Image: David Prutton gives his predictions as 10 in 10 returns

As Sky Sports' EFL 10 in 10 kicks off, David Prutton is back with his latest set of predictions.

Prutton takes a look at the feature games between Friday-Monday with four live 10 in 10 games taking centre stage - Brighton v Leeds (Friday), Preston v Blackburn (Saturday), Derby v Nottingham Forest (Sunday) and Bolton v Gillingham (Monday).

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10 in 10 is back! Here's a look at the EFL games you can see live on Sky Sports this December.

Read who he's tipping for this weekend below...

10 in 10: Brighton v Leeds (Friday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm)

10 in 10 guide
10 in 10 guide

When is it? Who's playing? How do I watch?

I've gone for a score draw purely because I think Leeds will have a lot of confidence following a wonderful run of performances.

They're still waiting for a comprehensive 90-minute display, but the signs that they've shown with the likes of Kemar Roofe and Chris Wood, it should put them in good stead.

Brighton have been typically Brighton, performing very well going into a busy Christmas period. It won't make or break their season but it'll have a huge say on where they'll end up.

With Brighton coming on the back of a draw against Cardiff, I just fancy Leeds going there and getting something.

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PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-2 and Glenn Murray to score first (Sky Bet odds: 70/1)

Live EFL

10 in 10: Preston v Blackburn (Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5.15pm)

Preston will be looking for a reaction to the way their last game ended - two red cards after in-fighting between team-mates.

Simon Grayson will be looking to address that, he was quite vocal in the way that he apologised to the fans, and the way he reimbursed the fans from the pockets of the players shows that he understands how to get the fans on his side.

Preston will have the bit between their teeth as they look to right some wrongs against a Blackburn side who are in somewhat of a false position down in 21st.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 and Jordan Hugill to score first (Sky Bet odds: 28/1)

Live EFL

Goodman's 10 in 10 preview
Goodman's 10 in 10 preview

Vital period for Brighton, Newcastle, Villa and more

10 in 10: Derby v Nottingham Forest (Sunday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 11.30am)

I've disappointingly gone for a draw but that's not down to any emotional attachment even though I have a fond place in my heart for Forest.

These two are meeting at a good time for it to be honours even. Derby have been fantastic under Steve McClaren, and he has got the most out of players like Bradley Johnson and Tom Ince.

They come up against a Forest side who looked out of sorts, but three wins on the bounce have put them on a more positive note. The more they keep winning on the pitch, the more we focus on the football rather than the business side.

It's not an unstoppable force against an immovable object, but the tension that comes with this derby, there is an edge to the game and I get the feeling that it will be tight.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 and Bradley Johnson to score first (Sky Bet odds: 50/1)

Live EFL

10 in 10: Bolton v Gillingham (Monday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7.30pm)

Bolton are making a decent enough fist of life in Sky Bet League One. A lot of expectation as tends to be the case with big teams when they drop down.

Gillingham have been indifferent, but do have match-winners with the likes of Jay Emmanuel-Thomas.

But with Bolton at home, I fancy them. They had a good win in the FA Cup recently and are on a good run of form.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-1 and Gary Madine to score first (Sky Bet odds: 20/1)

Live EFL

Newcastle v Birmingham (Saturday, 3pm)

There's the added bonus of the rescinded red cards for Newcastle, against a Birmingham side who shipped three at home against Barnsley.

Newcastle have had a tough week, where they've had to lick their wounds slightly, after that Forest defeat.

Even with 10 and nine men they were the better team. It feels like a game where Newcastle can get back to their winning ways.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds: 11/2)

Reading v Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3pm)

This one's a draw for me. Jaap Stam will want a reaction to that out-of-character defeat by a Fulham team that ripped them to shreds.

Reading's Dutch manager Jaap Stam applauds supporters after the EFL (English Football League) Cup fourth round match between Arsenal and Reading at The Emi
Image: Prutton says Jaap Stam will want a response from his Reading side after they lost 5-0 to Fulham

Wednesday had a good solid win against Preston and they closed the game out pretty well. I think they will be good for a point away from home although Reading have been good at season.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds: 9/2)

Aston Villa v Wigan (Saturday, 3pm)

It's a home win. They will have a reaction after that defeat to Leeds. For the first 70 minutes it was pretty even and they had a couple of chances at 0-0 to take the lead.

The pragmatism that we've seen from Steve Bruce will stand them in good stead. They won't go back to square one, but there seems to be more positivity around Villa Park. They seem to have a more confident group of players.

Aston Villa's Mile Jedinak challenges Leeds United's Hadi Sacko
Image: Aston Villa will look to respond after losing 2-0 to Leeds

There's not many places between them and Wigan, but I just see Villa being stronger at home.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds: 6/1)

Rotherham v QPR (Saturday, 3pm)

Having seen Rotherham - there's fight there and there is something to hold on to, I just don't see it in this game.

QPR, having lost against Wolves, almost nicked a point and Ian Holloway has now had another week to work with his team.

Rotherham seem shy and need a leader. Two managers have had a crack at it. One has been sacked and the other walked away and that says a lot.

I just see QPR going there and getting the win.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 0-1 (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)

Barnsley v Norwich (Saturday, 3pm)

This is a tough one because Barnsley will be buoyed by that result at Birmingham. I fancy them to give Norwich a decent game.

Alex Pritchard has signed a four-year deal with Norwich. Photo: Norwich City FC
Image: Prutton praised the impact of Alex Pritchard at Norwich

Norwich needed to address that terrible run and they did it in absolute style. They needed to shake it up a bit and Alex Pritchard came in and had a real affect on the game against Brentford.

His movement off the striker was fantastic against a Brentford side that have been very inconsistent.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds: 11/1)

Huddersfield v Bristol City (Saturday, 3pm)

Funny one this. Huddersfield have not won in five. I don't think we've seen their true colours recently as I think they have genuine quality.

That win for Bristol against Ipswich will have buoyed them. I can see them going to Huddersfield and getting something, I just don't think it will be all three points.

PRUTTON PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds: 5/1)

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