Football League expert @TonyIncenzo gives his best bets and Championship predictions ahead of a huge round of fixtures in the Football League...
ANOTHER round of enticing EFL Championship action commences with a huge promotion clash on Friday evening.
Further vital fixtures loom throughout Saturday affecting the table’s top and bottom clubs. Here are the pairings I am anticipating most alongside considered score predictions to assist your sports betting...
Friday 29th November 2024
Sheffield United v Sunderland
A noisy capacity crowd approaching 32,000 is guaranteed. Sheffield United boast five wins amidst a six match unbeaten sequence and haven’t lost at home all campaign.
Just two goals have been conceded in eight Bramall Lane engagements currently embracing seven clean sheet victories in a row.
However, Blades boss Chris Wilder has called for “clarity” this week concerning his club’s potential takeover featuring a consortium led by America-based businessmen.
He needs to know budget parameters for strengthening the squad in January’s transfer window.
Meanwhile, Sunderland are slipping off the pace thanks to five successive draws including three scoreless stalemates. Even so, the Black Cats hold 10 games bereft of losing.
Score prediction: Spectacle of the season 4-4.
Saturday 30th November 2024
Blackburn Rovers v Leeds United
Blackburn Rovers won their first five home games yet haven’t triumphed or scored in the last three at Ewood Park culminating in two consecutive 2-0 defeats against Sheffield United and Stoke City respectively.
As for title aspirants Leeds United, a massive travelling support will hope to witness continued good away fortunes consisting of just one loss on the road so far.
Score prediction: Luxurious Leeds 3-0.
Stoke City v Burnley
Stoke City are unbeaten across five outings drawing the past three. I liked the wholehearted endeavours of leading scorer Tom Cannon when I studied him closely from the press box in the 1-1 affair at Queens Park Rangers last Saturday.
Cannon scored a great curling 20 yard effort thereby extending his seasonal tally to eight League and Cup goals on loan via Leicester City.
Contrastingly, Burnley target a top two finish. The Clarets have won three ongoing encounters bolstering a four match undefeated spree without conceding.
They protect the Championship’s meanest defensive record following merely six goals leaked in 17 games and 11 clean sheets.
Score prediction: Clarets charge on 3-1.
Watford v Queens Park Rangers
Local derby bragging rights at stake between two clubs based 14 miles apart as the crow flies. Nestled among Play-Off zone discussions, Watford have amassed four maximum pointers in six games incorporating a solitary defeat.
Additionally, they are unbeaten at Vicarage Road to date producing seven wins, one draw and just four goals against. Hornets boss Tom Cleverley said this week: “We’ve all agreed that we want to achieve big ambitions. We’re aiming to challenge for promotion.”
Looking at relegation haunted Queens Park Rangers, the short journey up to Hertfordshire may provide some respite from their truly disappointing form on home turf at Loftus Road where no wins have been registered since April.
Score prediction: Defences dominate 0-0.
Middlesbrough v Hull City
Middlesbrough jostle for Play-Off contention but Hull City are sleep walking into relegation danger on the back of nine winless matches losing the past four.
Tim Walter is expected to imminently vacate his job as Tigers head coach. Fans loudly called for him to be sacked watching Tuesday night’s 2-0 home defeat versus Sheffield Wednesday.
Score prediction: Boro buoyant 4-1.
Preston North End v West Bromwich Albion
West Brom are unbeaten for nine games - albeit eight of them were drawn. Significantly, Albion have been involved in six scoreless impasses during 2024/25.
They’ve only lost once away heading to Preston. Similarly, North End reflect on four 0-0 scorelines.
Their boss Paul Heckingbottom confirmed on Wednesday morning he is unsure what transfer business can be completed in January.
Score prediction: You’ve guessed it…0-0.
Championship Betting Predictions
The Championship is the second tier of English football.
Each season, the top two teams automatically earn promotion to the Premier League, with teams placed between third and sixth entering the playoffs. The bottom three will be relegated to League One.
By far the most-watched non-topflight league in the world, the Championship is renowned for its competitiveness. While there are huge gaps between Championship salaries, there is no denying the level of parity.
Some huge clubs are involved each season, but that is no guarantee of success, even when taking on teams with much smaller budgets and stadia.
Reaching the Premier League not only gives a chance to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City, Arsenal and the other powerhouse clubs.
It brings unparalleled riches each season, which can completely change the fortunes of a club in both the short and long term. Stakes in the Championship are incredibly high.
The Championship was known as the First Division until 2004. Prior to the founding of the Premier League in the early 1990s, it was named the Second Division. The trophy has not been altered over that period, however.
Since being restructured in 2004, 57 teams have participated in the Championship. Cardiff City have the longest overall tenure with 19 seasons.
Of current teams, Bristol City, Preston North End and Queens Park Rangers have the longest Championship active spells with 10 straight campaigns in the second tier.
There have been 13 different champions with seven winning the title twice.
Championship Tips This Weekend
From analysis of the best teams in Championship history through to match predictions for tomorrow, 888Sport have you covered when it comes to the Championship.
Our experts provide year-round analysis of the division, including weekly match tips.
Wondering who is a good bet to be the Championship top scorer? Trying to find the teams to include in your Saturday afternoon accumulator? Whatever you’re after, 888Sport’s diverse selection of Championship articles can help you out.
The 2024-25 season sees two Championship stalwarts return in Portsmouth and Derby County, whilst Oxford United will make their debut in the second tier.
Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking after suffering relegation from the Premier League.
When making your correct score prediction for the Championship, you have tonnes of information to weigh up. Injury news and head-to-head records are important, plus you can dive deep into statistics both traditional and advanced.
Championship Predictions For Today
Bettors can find Championship predictions on this page from the opening of the season in late summer through to the Playoffs.
All manner of markets will be covered beyond the standard match winner picks, including both teams to score, total goals over/under and goal scorer bets.
If it’s the latest round of midweek Championship fixtures or tips for this Saturday, 888Sport’s expert team of betting tipsters will have some wagers for you to consider.
Every punter wants some great free sports betting tips. Through our numerous prediction pages, 888Sport has a catalogue of expert predictions, such as football prediction.
Look out for today's Championship prediction pieces and our weekly Championship review articles.
Championship Outright Odds
Leeds United just edge the Championship outright odds for 2024-25, with the three teams relegated from the Premier League also amongst the favourites for promotion.
Leeds United are handed the shortest price, followed by Burnley, Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Sheffield United, West Brom and Norwich City.
When it comes to Championship relegation odds, Oxford United are the favourites for the drop.
Championship Teams 2024-25
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Blackburn Rovers
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Bristol City
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Burnley
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Cardiff City
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Coventry City
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Derby County
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Hull City
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Leeds United
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Luton Town
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Middlesbrough
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Millwall
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Norwich City
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Oxford United
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Plymouth Argyle
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Portsmouth
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Preston North End
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Queens Park Rangers
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Sheffield United
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Sheffield Wednesday
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Stoke City
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Sunderland
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Swansea City
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Watford
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West Bromwich Albion
*All of our 888 Experts picks and betting tips can be considered as a suggestion only.*
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
