Football League expert @TonyIncenzo gives his best bets and Championship predictions ahead of a huge round of fixtures in the Football League...
CRUCIAL games approach thick and fast in our ever gruelling EFL Championship this weekend.
Monumental local derby bragging rights are on offer, a manager has departed and supporters of the bottom two clubs are increasingly worried about becoming cast adrift.
Here are the fixtures I am anticipating most alongside considered score predictions to assist your sports betting…
Friday 8th November 2024
Watford v Oxford United
Watford’s push for the Play-Offs was dented by a 1-0 reverse at Swansea City on Tuesday evening. That superseded two straight Hornets victories.
It was their sixth away loss but they remain undefeated on home turf registering five wins and a draw.
Looking at 16th ranked Oxford United, an eight match winless streak finished on the same night beating visitors Hull City 1-0.
Hidde ter Avest neatly scored four yards out on his first start for the U’s since signing from FC Utrecht. Oxford haven’t won away so far though.
Score prediction: Hotshot Hornets 3-0.
Saturday 9th November 2024
Sunderland v Coventry City
Table toppers Sunderland produced scoreless draws in two away engagements this week at Queens Park Rangers and Preston North End respectively.
They are undefeated in seven outings and boast a four point advantage above the Play-Off pack mustering nine clean sheets across 14 Championship games.
Unbeaten home action embraces five wins out of six. So a tough task for 17th placed opposition Coventry City nursing just one away victory.
The Sky Blues lost 2-1 to visiting Derby County in midweek terminating a three match unconquered run.
However the surprising news on Thursday morning featured boss Mark Robins being dismissed following a tenure of seven years and eight months. First team coach Rhys Carr assumes control on an interim basis.
Score prediction: Black Cats joy 2-1.
Leeds United v Queens Park Rangers
Leeds United suffered a first defeat in nine League affairs succumbing 1-0 at Millwall on Wednesday. It also shattered the Championship’s final unconquered away record.
Heading towards the weekend, they possess strong home form accumulating five wins amidst seven matches to date.
As for second bottom Queens Park Rangers, only one EFL victory has been achieved way back on 30th August. I sat in the Loftus Road press box for Tuesday’s 4-1 capitulation against Middlesbrough.
A truly disappointing performance by Rangers who currently slumber five points below the dreaded dotted relegation line.
Nevertheless, Hoops fans can take heart from recent battling 0-0 results versus high-flying Burnley and Sunderland. The R’s always seem to do well when facing the top sides.
Score prediction: Another 0-0 stalemate.
Stoke City v Millwall
Surprise package Millwall have hurtled into Play-Off contention thanks to six games without loss conceding just once whilst winning the past four 1-0.
Japhet Tanganga cushion volleyed his first strike of the campaign to seal Wednesday’s home triumph over Leeds United.
Meanwhile, hosts Stoke City fill 14th spot and won 2-0 at Blackburn Rovers for a second maximum pointer on the spin.
Million Manhoef’s daisycutter and a crisply taken Tom Cannon penalty were their first goals on the road beyond August.
Score prediction: 1-0 to Millwall again
Portsmouth v Preston North End
Rock bottom Portsmouth are six points short of safety losing 1-0 at Plymouth Argyle in Tuesday’s vital relegation area contest.
Pompey have merely a solitary win during 2024/25. Significantly, six home matches bereft of victory.
Next up, Preston undergo the 265 mile excursion to Hampshire’s coast occupying 20th rung. North End are on five winless League and Cup games but hope to build on the aforementioned 0-0 draw with leaders Sunderland.
Even so, they haven’t won away yet.
Score prediction: Spoils shared 2-2.
Sunday 10th November 2024
Sheffield United v Sheffield Wednesday
The eagerly anticipated first Steel City derby for more than five years. Historical encounters in the League reflect 43 wins for United, 36 for Wednesday and 39 draws.
United hold second place on the back of three successive victories culminating in Tuesday’s 2-1 dramatic outcome at Bristol City.
Harrison Burrows delivered the deciding goal through a fierce left footer eight minutes into added time sparking wild celebrations. Chris Wilder’s men are still unbeaten at Bramall Lane and hover two points under pole position.
Contrastingly, Wednesday lie 15th fresh from the 2-0 home canter past Norwich City.
A second win in three saw both Josh Windass and Dominic Iorfa at close range enriching the scoresheet.
Score prediction: Spectacle of the season 4-4.
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*
