After what has been a pulsating week of Championship action, it continues once more this weekend with matchday 20 as we approach the halfway mark of the 2018/19 campaign.

As always after the international break, the fixtures come thick and fast, and that is even more applicable now with the festive period approaching.

We are on the cusp of December and a busy month ahead for teams up and down the country and the first stop on a fast-paced voyage to the New Year is this weekend when Derby County welcome Swansea City to Pride Park.

Frank Lampard’s men slipped out the play-offs after their midweek defeat and will be aiming to move back in the top six and even closer to the automatic promotion spots with a win this weekend.

Graham Potter’s side, meanwhile, will be aiming to arrest a mini-slump of two successive defeats as they look to move within three points of the promotion places.

Ahead of the match, Sky Sports enlisted the help of ex-professional-turned-pundit, David Prutton, to try and predict the outcome of the clash.

The EFL presenter said: “Frank Lampard would have been so disappointed with Derby's result in midweek. 

“They were level against 10-man Stoke and seemingly had the game at their mercy, but they fell to defeat and now find themselves just outside the top six again.

“Swansea had a couple of big home games in the week which presented them with a great chance to stake their claims to move up the table, but they instead fell to disappointing defeats against Norwich and West Brom. 

“I'm backing Derby to get back to winning ways at Pride Park. 2-1.”

The verdict

This fixture will be tricker than many might think.

Derby will be looking to avenge their defeat to Stoke last time out, while Swansea will be aiming to get back to winning ways themselves.

It will undoubtedly be a tight battle between Frank Lampard and Graham Potter’s sides on Saturday.

On paper, Derby look the better side, but at home, they could feel the pressure, especially if they do not get an early lead or start well - the fans could well be on the player’s backs.

Despite that, the Rams have a little more quality in the final third and should come out on top.