Championship Predictions: Another defeat for Norwich

There were a few surprises in the first round of fixtures in the Championship and I'm not too shy to say I had two correct scores, while my colleague Nick Ware had one. We are going head-to-head this season and putting our results in a table.

We are awarding three points for a correct score, and one one point for the correct result. It's eight points apiece heading into Gameweek 2, while Simon Lillibury has joined in on the action - but he has some catching up to do. You will find our Championship Predictions below.

Derby County vs Coventry City - 1-1 @ 5/1

Derby County's late crumble at Stoke City last weekend needs to be studied. It was uncharacteristic of a John Eustace side to give away two goals like that in quick succession, and it did not paint Dion Sanderson in a good light.

Eustace signed the defender on loan from former club Birmingham City, making it four times he has signed him in his three-year managerial career. Fans were quick to jump on his back and blame him for the late defeat in the Potteries.

The Rams will be looking to bounce back on home soil against last season's semi-finalists Coventry City. The Sky Blues were held to a goalless draw at home to Hull City last weekend, and they too will be looking for improvement here.

I think they'll cancel each other out.

Nick: 1-2

Simon: 0-0

Portsmouth vs Norwich City - 2-1 @ 8/1

Portsmouth welcome Norwich City to Fratton Park on Saturday and I am fairly confident in a home win. The Canaries were bested on home soil against Millwall last time out, while Pompey recorded a professional 1-0 victory at Oxford United.

John Mousinho's side had the eighth-best home record in the Championship last term, and I think they will be able to edge out Liam Manning's side, who are still getting to grips with their new head coach's methods.

Nick: 2-2

Simon: 2-2

Championship Odds

Wrexham vs West Bromwich Albion - 2-1 @ 9/1

Wrexham were cruelly denied a result in their Championship opener at Southampton last week. The Red Dragons were the better side in the first half, with Kieffer Moore and Josh Windass the standout players. The former's debut was tarnished by an injury that looks to keep him out of action for a while which is a concern.

They return to the Racecourse on Saturday and they welcome West Bromwich Albion. The Baggies were 1-0 winners at home to Blackburn Rovers last time out, but they were fortunate not to concede a penalty when Torbjorn Heggem appeared to trip Yuki Ohashi in the penalty box.

This could be a close contest but I think the home advantage will play its part and Wrexham will get the win.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 2-1

Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City - 0-3 @ 22/1

Rovers were left disappointed last week, and more misery followed as they crashed out of the Carabao Cup at home to League 1 side Bradford City in midweek. Trying to watch Blackburn play out from the back was hard to watch at times, while goalkeeper Nicholas Jake Michalski didn't look assured in net, with a glaring error against the Bantams.

They host Birmingham this weekend, and this is set to be a tough contest for the hosts. Birmingham may have settled for a point against Ipswich Town last week but they were the dominant side, and George Hirst's equalising penalty was the Tractor Boys' only shot on target.

Birmingham then followed up with a 2-1 win over Sheffield United in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, in what was another dominant performance. They created an xG of over three, with goalscorer Kyogo Furuhashi squandering plenty of chances himself.

The Blues' pressing will cause Blackburn all sorts of problems and I think they will record a comfortable victory at Ewood Park.

Nick: 0-2

Simon: 0-4

Bristol City vs Charlton Athletic - 2-1 @ 15/2

Bristol City were absolutely ruthless as they hammered Sheffield United 4-1 at Bramall Lane last Saturday, and it showed the Robins supporters that Gerhard Struber has the potential to be a success at Ashton Gate.

They return home this weekend and host newly-promoted Charlton Athletic, who are a tough nut to crack under Nathan Jones. This could be a bit of a cagey affair because of the Addicks, but I'm expecting Bristol City's quality, particularly from Scott Twine, to shine through.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 1-1

Millwall vs Middlesbrough - 2-0 @ 10/1

Millwall landed a brilliant away victory at Norwich and they should be feeling confident ahead of their first home match against Middlesbrough. Boro got off to a winning start under Rob Edwards last week as they narrowly defeated Swansea City, but concerns have been raised since as they were thrashed 4-0 at home to League 1 side Doncaster Rovers in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday.

Boro made changes but still had a lot of first-team stars in action, while Donny made 11 changes. I think Millwall can thrive on this and land a relatively comfortable win on home turf.

Nick: 1-0

Simon: 2-0

Today's Football Fixtures

Preston North End vs Leicester City - 1-2 @ 15/2

Leicester City were spared embarrassment on their return to the second tier last Sunday as they came from behind to beat struggling Sheffield Wednesday. Goals from defenders Jannik Vestergaard and Wout Faes overturned Nathaniel Chalobah's opener, which gave the Foxes a fortunate victory at the King Power.

There is room for plenty of improvement from Marti Cifuentes' side, and they will look to be more convincing at Preston North End this weekend. The Lilywhites experienced a draw with Queens Park Rangers last time out but they may slip to a defeat against an opponent with greater quality.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 0-3

Sheffield Wednesday vs Stoke City - 1-2 @ 15/2

Despite a small squad and uncertainty off the field, Wednesday gave a very good account of themselves at Leicester and they return to Hillsborough on Saturday. The Owls have been boosted by the news that the North Stand will be available for fans to sit in for when Stoke City come to town.

The Potters delivered the late show against Derby in their opening match with two late goals to seal a win against the Rams. There were plenty of positives for boss Mark Robins to take and I think subs in the second half against tired Wednesday legs can help them record two victories on the spin.

Nick: 0-2

Simon: 1-3

Swansea City vs Sheffield United - 1-1 @ 5/1

Swansea will be hoping to improve on last week's defeat at Boro and they will have seen how fragile Sheffield United are looking, who they welcome to South Wales. I'm yet to be convinced by either of these two sides, so I think it's best to just predict a draw here.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 0-1

Watford vs Queens Park Rangers - 1-1 @ 11/2

The same goes for this match, too. Watford suffered a late defeat at Charlton last week, while QPR could only muster a draw at home to Preston. The Rs have had what is considered one of the best transfer windows in the Championship this summer, and latest addition Richard Kone could be set for his debut at Vicarage Road.

I think it will take time for boss Julian Stephan to have them firing in his system, so I think another stalemate awaits them here.

Nick: 3-1

Simon: 1-1

Football Odds

Ipswich Town vs Southampton - 2-2 @ 12/1

Ipswich will look to improve on last week's showing at Birmingham and against another promotion rival in Southampton, you feel they cannot afford a slow start.

The acquisition of 2022/23 Championship Player of the Season winner Chuba Akpom should help them carry more of a threat in front of goal, but the Saints have quality all over the pitch that they need to be concerned about.

If both sides turn up, I think we will be treated to a high-scoring draw.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 1-2

Hull City vs Oxford United - 2-1 @ 8/1

Hull looked better than I thought against Coventry in gameweek one, and I feel like they are in a good position to secure their first win against Oxford United, who suffered a home defeat to Portsmouth last time out.

The Tigers have the home advantage and they did score three goals against Wrexham in the Carabao Cup in midweek, despite losing on penalties. Oxford boss Gary Rowett has already hinted that he needs backing in the transfer market to help repeat last year's feat of keeping the U's in the league.

A defeat here may aid his cause but off what I saw from both teams last week, I think Hull will edge this clash.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 2-1

Offers

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