Championship Predictions: Charlton can stun Leicester

The second week of Championship action wasn't great for our football tipsters at Betfred Insights as there was just the one correct score between us - kudos to Nick with his spot on call for Preston v Leicester.

There's still plenty of improvement needed from the team and thankfully Gameweek 3 has rolled around quite quickly. Below you will find our Championship Predictions for the third round of fixtures this weekend.

Derby County vs Bristol City - 1-2 @ 17/2

Friday night sees Derby County welcome Bristol City to Pride Park, with the Rams looking to avoid a third-straight defeat in the Championship. They lost an eight-goal thriller here to Coventry City last weekend as they displayed some horrendous defending.

Bristol City were held to a goalless draw at Charlton Athletic but will look at Derby's defence and feel as though they can profit, like they did against Sheffield United on the opening weekend.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 1-1

Charlton Athletic vs Leicester City - 2-1 @ 10/1

Charlton have had a fine start to life back in the second tier with four points from their first two games. The Addicks return to The Valley on Saturday and welcome Leicester City, who lost at Preston North End last time out.

I like the Foxes' boss Marti Cifuentes but at the moment Leicester look like a group of individuals rather than a team, the opposite of what Charlton are. I fancy a statement home win.

Nick: 1-1

Simon: 1-0 

Championship Odds

Hull City vs Blackburn Rovers - 1-1 @ 5/1

Hull City delivered the late show as Oli McBurnie won the Tigers a precious three points at home to Oxford United last Sunday. They're at home again this weekend as they entertain Blackburn Rovers, who will be reeling from their defeat at home to Birmingham City last time out - conceding twice past the 90-minute mark.

I thought Rovers were pretty solid for most of that game, just individual errors cost them late on. I can see them taking a point on Humberside.

Nick: 2-2

Simon: 1-0

Swansea City vs Watford - 1-0 @ 11/2

Swansea City recorded a 1-0 win at home to Sheffield United last time out and they will hope for more joy in South Wales when Watford come to town. The Hornets were 2-1 victors at home to Queens Park Rangers last week, but this will be a tricky test for them.

The Swans already look like they are in a better position than they were 12 months ago, so I think their early form can continue here.

Nick: 3-3 

Simon: 0-0

Birmingham City vs Oxford United - 3-0 @ 9/1

Newly-promoted Birmingham are unbeaten in their first two games of the season and they were quite fortunate against Blackburn as they weren't able to get into their usual rhythm. However, they fought until the end and went on to win - exactly what you would expect from a promotion contender.

They return to St. Andrew's on Saturday and face former boss Gary Rowett's Oxford United who have lost two on the spin. There are a lot of concerns about their defending and they might struggle against the Blues' attackers. I think we could see a comfortable home win.

Nick: 1-0

Simon: 5-0

Coventry City vs QPR - 3-1 @ 12/1

Coventry will look to build on last week's dramatic win against Derby as they return to the CBS Arena to host QPR. The Rs will look to bounce back from their defeat at Watford but it looks like they are still gelling under new boss Julian Stephan.

The hosts still look a little frail at the back, so I think they will concede but I reckon they come out on top.

Nick: 3-1

Simon: 3-0

Today's Football Fixtures

Norwich City vs Middlesbrough - 2-2 @ 12/1

Norwich City got off the mark at Portsmouth last weekend and Liam Manning will look to build on that as they return to Carrow Road on Saturday. They welcome Middlesbrough to Norfolk, who were surprising 3-0 victors at Millwall last time out.

I still can't work Rob Edwards' side out so I think I'll play safe with this one and go for a high-scoring draw.

Nick: 2-0

Simon: 0-1

Preston North End vs Ipswich Town - 1-2 @ 15/2

Preston North End secured a huge victory at home against Leicester City last weekend and up next form them at Deepdale is fellow relegated side Ipswich Town. The Tractor Boys have only managed two draws in their first two games, and you get the feeling that boss Kieran McKenna needs to get a win sooner rather than later.

Chuba Akpom may add some needed firepower in attack but Ipswich are still working on completing their squad before the transfer window shuts. I think this will be a tough away trip, but I think they will be able to land their first win.

Nick: 0-2

Simon: 1-2

Sheffield United vs Millwall - 1-1 @ 11/2

Last year's play-off finalists Sheffield United need a busy end to the transfer window because they have lost all three of their matches (league and cup) at the start of the season.

They lost at Swansea last week and they return to Bramall Lane on Saturday and face a tough Millwall side, who will be looking to bounce back from their surprising home defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough.

The Blades need a result of any kind, so the score draw is screaming out to me here.

Nick: 1-2

Simon: 1-0

Southampton vs Stoke City - 2-2 @ 14/1

Southampton picked up a respectable point at promotion rivals Ipswich last weekend and they remain unbeaten in the Championship. The Saints are back at St. Mary's on Saturday and Stoke City make the trip to the south coast, having picked up maximum points from their opening two games.

Mark Robins appears to have made the Potters a much more competitive side than they were last term. This is a tough away trip for his players but they have momentum, and Southampton's defence does not look rock solid.

I'll go for the high-scoring draw.

Nick: 2-1

Simon: 1-0

Football Odds

West Bromwich Albion vs Portsmouth - 3-1 @ 14/1

West Bromwich Albion made it six points from six with their 3-2 victory at Wrexham last weekend. The Baggies return to The Hawthorns on Saturday, where they welcome Portsmouth.

John Mousinho's side lost at home to Norwich last time out and this will be considered a difficult away test for Pompey. Albion are already showing their attacking prowess, so I think this could be another match in which they score three goals.

Nick: 2-2

Simon: 2-0

Wrexham vs Sheffield Wednesday - 3-0 @ 11/1

Wrexham have had a tough start to life in the Championship, having lost their opening two fixtures. The Red Dragons will hope they can get off the mark on Saturday as they welcome Sheffield Wednesday to the Racecourse.

We all know the torrid situation the Owls are in and their lack of experienced players is a huge issue as they too have lost their first two games. Unfortunately for them, Wrexham will not have a better chance of getting up and running in the second tier.

Nick: 4-0

Simon: 3-0

Offers

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