Championship Predictions: Who wins the Sheffield derby?

The Championship returns this weekend after the international break, and things swing into gear with a Friday night clash between Preston North End and Blackburn Rovers (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event). 

After a week off from our Championship predictions, myself, Nick Ware and Conor Keane are back to try and find some winners. 

Preston North End 2-1 Blackburn Rovers @ 17/2

It’s time for me to stop underestimating Preston. I have got my pre-season relegation prediction badly wrong, but I’ve been impressed by Paul Heckingbottom’s side, especially over the last month. Three wins and a draw in their last four have taken them to fourth, and I’ll back them to beat a hit-and-miss Blackburn outfit.

Nick: 1-0

Conor: 2-1

Bristol City 1-0 Swansea City @ 6/1

Alan Sheehan has left Swansea, but with no replacement manager hired at the time of writing, it doesn’t look like we will get a new manager bounce. This Severnside Derby will be a good chance for Bristol City to get back to winning ways after two defeats and a draw in their last three outings. Swansea have one win from six and I think will come up short here.

Nick: 2-0

Conor: 2-1

Charlton Athletic 1-1 Southampton @ 2/1

Charlton have only lost one home game in 2025 (to Leicester in August), and Nathan Jones has his side playing some good stuff. They were unfortunate to lose to Wrexham last time out but should enjoy home comforts once again - although Southampton have improved since Will Still departed with two wins on the bounce. Draw. 

Nick: 2-1

Conor: 1-0

Coventry City 3-0 West Brom @ 12/1

Up the Cov. Top of the league and flying, Frank Lampard’s side should be able to brush aside a West Brom outfit that have struggled in the last month - despite beating Oxford United before the international break. Ryan Mason needs a positive result or two to turn the tide, but I can’t see it happening against the Sky Blues.

Nick: 3-0

Conor: 4-0

Championship Odds

Birmingham City 2-1 Norwich City @ 7/1

Norwich have appointed Philippe Clement as their Liam Manning replacement, with the former Rangers manager hoping to make an instant impact. Birmingham had recorded back-to-back 4-0 wins before losing at Middlesbrough before the international break, but I do believe they will start to climb the table. Narrow home win.

Nick: 3-1

Conor: 2-0

Ipswich Town 1-1 Wrexham @ 7/1

I think Ipswich are going to fly up the table and ultimately challenge Coventry for the title. They’ve won their last two away games 4-1 to turn around their form on the road, but their next test is Wrexham, who are unbeaten in five. Phil Parkinson’s men drew with Middlesbrough and are the only team to have beaten Coventry. They can grind out an improbable point.

Nick: 2-1

Conor: 2-1

Portsmouth 1-2 Millwall @ 9/1

I’m starting to worry about Pompey. No wins in six, four of those ending in defeat and the fortress that was Fratton Park has metaphorically collapsed. Millwall meanwhile haven’t won in three but remain in the play-offs. I lean towards an away win that could be damaging for John Mousinho.

Nick: 1-1

Conor: 0-1

QPR 0-2 Hull City @ 16/1

Hull are pretty good right now, and I’m worried about QPR’s poor form. Just one point in their last four games leaves me concerned, while Hull have been coping well despite recent injury issues. The international break could have come at the right time for them.

Nick: 2-1

Conor: 1-2

Derby County 1-0 Watford @ 6/1

Five in a row for Derby. John Eustace is finally delivering after a sluggish start and all of a sudden the Rams are in play-off contention. They host Watford, who have certainly improved under Javi Gracia and are unbeaten in three. Unfortunately for the ‘Orns, I’m going with the winning machine that is Derby here - just.

Nick: 2-1

Conor: 2-1

Leicester City 0-1 Stoke City @ 9/1

Leicester are in a bit of bother. They could soon receive a points deduction and the feeling around the club is a bit negative, with only a late Jordan James winner at Carrow Road stopping a run of five without a win. Marti Cifuentes isn’t getting the best of this team right now, and Stoke look really strong - despite narrowly losing to Coventry prior to the break. Away win.

Nick: 3-2

Conor: 1-2

Oxford United 0-3 Middlesbrough @ 16/1

Middlesbrough look to have chosen Kim Hellberg as their new boss, although Adi Viveash will take charge of the trip to Oxford. Gary Rowett is doing his best, but Oxford are a poor outfit this term and look to be scrapping for every point going right now. Unfortunately for the U’s, they may well come up short in this one.

Nick: 1-1

Conor: 1-2

Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Sheffield United @ 6/1

Let’s finish the weekend with a sizzling Sheffield derby. Sheffield Wednesday will create a raucous atmosphere in this one, but they are the worst team in the Championship this season. I’m going to back a narrow away win, even though I’m unconvinced by Chris Wilder and Sheffield United this term.

Nick: 1-1

Conor: 1-0

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