SkyBet: Tough weekend in prospect for struggling Tigers and Owls

Should the Hammers win, Iain Dowie's men will require a minimum of seven points from their final three games, which means beating either Liverpool at home or earning a first away win of the season at the final attempt when they visit Wigan next week.

Even if the Hammers lose, survival is a tall order, as is keeping Sunderland striker Darren Bent at bay. Still with a slim chance of forcing his way into England's World Cup squad, Bent has scored 24 goals in 37 games and has grabbed the first goal 14 times. He should not be 11-2 to score first here, especially given the suspect nature of Hull's defending.

Sheffield Wednesday's fate could be sealed by Monday night, if they lose at Cardiff and Watford and Crystal Palace win tough home games against Reading and West Brom respectively.

To ensure a final-day showdown with Palace, the Owls need to win but that is no easy task against a team with Cardiff's momentum. Unbeaten in nine games and with clean sheets in each of the last three, the Welsh club will not want to let their standards slip ahead of the play-offs. Due to Wednesday's predicament, the odds appear slightly skewed here and you can back Cardiff at an appealing 4-5 for the win.

Sheffield United have lost only three times at Bramall Lane this season and they can round off their home campaign with victory over stuttering Swansea, who have lost their last three away games.

The Blades look a great price at 2-1, as they would be around 5-4 at any other time in the season.

QPR could be worthy of support at 2-1 against a Barnsley side who are winless in eight, while Scunthorpe may ease off after securing their Championship place in midweek, making Doncaster a decent prospect at 11-10 to win at the Keepmoat.

Millwall are still breathing down their necks, but Leeds may find this is the perfect time for a home game against MK Dons, who are on the slide after a run of eight games without a win and announced the summer departure of manager Paul Ince last week.

Facing a team in poor form with nothing to play for should ensure that the Whites overcome their Elland Road nerves and, as against Southend, the advice is to cover the 2-0 and 3-0 correct score outcomes.

You're unlikely to find a generous price for Huddersfield to win at Stockport, but captain Peter Clarke is worthy of a small stakes punt to follow up his winner against Millwall with a goal against the division's worst defence. Clarke is a real threat at set pieces and can be backed at 7-1 to score in 90 minutes.

Rotherham have lost their last four away games, so it is unwise to back them as short as 6-5 to win at Barnet. Also in League Two, take Bradford to get a draw at Chesterfield.