Championship Predictions: Swansea could down Manning

The midweek results in the Championship summed up perfectly why this is an unpredictable league, and we, the Betfred Insights football tipsters, didn't have much joy with our predictions.

Nick still leads the way on the leaderboard, and I, Conor am close behind him while Simon still has some catching up to do. Check out our latest Championship Predictions for Gameweek 12.

Preston vs Sheff Utd - 1-2 @ 9/1

Preston North End's unbeaten record at home was ended on Tuesday by Birmingham City, with the Blues grinding out a 1-0 win. Preston were second best in the first half but they were applying pressure for much of the second; they were just devoid of any quality in the final third.

They host Sheffield United at Deepdale on Friday and the Blades head here after winning 3-1 at Blackburn. Preston might be feeling a bit fragile so I am backing the visitors to capitalise.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 0-2

Coventry vs Watford - 3-1 @ 10/1

Coventry City remain unbeaten in the second tier as they were 2-1 victors at Portsmouth in midweek. Frank Lampard's side are top of the table and have scored 31 goals in 11 matches.

They welcome Watford to the CBS Arena this weekend, with the Hornets winning against West Bromwich Albion last time out. The visitors are coming up against the best team in the division, and I believe they will fall to a defeat here.

Nick: 3-1

Simon: 2-1

Ipswich vs West Brom - 1-1 @ 6/1

Ipswich Town were stunned 3-0 by Charlton Athletic in the week on home turf, so they will be feeling pretty fragile when they host West Brom at Portman Road on Saturday.

The Baggies have lost two of their past three league fixtures and so this is a clash between two teams feeling sorry for themselves. I'm not confident backing either side to win here so the draw looks the play.

Nick: 1-0

Simon: 2-1

Championship Odds

Portsmouth vs Stoke - 1-1 @ 5/1

Stoke City had a bright start to the season but the Potters have just one win in their last six outings in the second tier, including three draws in previous five outings. They travel to Portsmouth next, who have drawn two of their past four fixtures in the league.

Pompey were beaten by Coventry last time out but I think on home soil they may have enough to take a point off Mark Robins' side.

Nick: 2-0

Simon: 0-1

Blackburn vs Southampton - 1-2 @ 8/1

Blackburn Rovers are starting to spiral having lost four of their last five games in the Championship. They welcome Southampton to Ewood Park, and the Saints are in need of wins themselves. They have just two from the opening 11 matches, having drawn six games to date.

Will Still's side have a lot of work to do to showcase their promotion credentials but Blackburn will be seen as a free hit so they should be able to claim the three points on Saturday.

Nick: 0-2

Simon: 0-1

Bristol City vs Birmingham - 1-1 @ 11/2

Bristol City were 3-1 winners over Southampton in midweek, making it back-to-back victories in the league. The Robins sit fourth in the standings and up next for them is a home clash with Birmingham City. The Blues have not had the start they would have hoped for after returning to the Championship from League 1, but they earned a hard-fought win at Preston on Tuesday to give themselves for much-needed relief.

Another tough away trip awaits them here, but if they defend as well as they did in midweek, they may be able to come away with a point here.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 2-2

Derby vs QPR - 1-1 @ 11/2

Derby County gained a much-needed victory themselves last time out as they were 1-0 winners over struggling Norwich City at Pride Park. The Rams are at home again at the weekend as they host Queens Park Rangers.

The Rs have won two of their last three games in the second tier, with both triumphs coming on their travels. Derby have largely struggled in the final third but they have often had enough to take a point on home turf.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 0-1

Hull vs Charlton - 2-3 @ 33/1

Hull City are on a three-game winning streak in the Championship and they will look to stretch it to four when they host Charlton Athletic at the MKM Stadium on Saturday.

The Addicks were impressive 3-0 winners at Ipswich last time out and they have now won successive games in the league. The two sides currently sit on 18 points, with the visitors sat inside the play-off places, so this is a big contest for both sides.

I think I've been more impressed with Charlton in the first two months of the campaign, so I am backing them to win a thriller.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 2-1

Middlesbrough vs Wrexham - 2-1 @ 7/1

Middlesbrough are patiently waiting for Coventry to slip up as they sit one point behind the Sky Blues in the table. Rob Edwards' team have won their previous two matches in the league and Wrexham are up next for them at the Riverside.

The Red Dragons were winners against Oxford United in midweek but I think they will fall short on Teesside.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 1-1

Millwall vs Leicester - 2-1 @ 9/1

Leicester City were beaten at Hull last time out and the Foxes have won just one of their past five games in the second tier. They travel to Millwall, with the Lions having won three on the spin. Alex Neil's side are looking sharp at the moment and I think they are more than capable of taking down Leicester here.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 1-2

Sheff Wednesday vs Oxford Utd - 1-2 @ 17/2

Sheffield Wednesday are trying their best but so many things are against them this season. The Owls host Oxford United on Saturday and this is a great opportunity for Gary Rowett's men to give themselves a cushion in their bid for survival.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 0-1

Swansea vs Norwich - 1-0 @ 7/1

It feels inevitable that Norwich are going to sack Liam Manning. The Canaries are in the bottom three having won just two of their opening 11 matches in the second tier.

They head to Swansea City on Saturday which could end up being his last game in charge. The Swans have found consistency an issue but I think they should be able to edge past a team devoid of confidence.

Nick: 2-0

Simon: 2-1

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