Championship Predictions: Goals expected on South Coast

Another fine weekend of Championship action awaits us, and I’m afraid you are stuck with me for this week’s predictions - but I’ve got our usual writer Conor Keane to send us his predictions from his sunbed.

I called Middlesbrough’s 1-0 home win against Sheffield United last time out to land a precious three points for a correct score, while in Conor’s defence, he did predict Wrexham’s first win in the Championship away at Millwall. Anyway, onto our Championship predictions for Gameweek 5.

Ipswich Town vs Sheffield United (20:00, Sky Sports Main Event) - 1-1 @ 6/1

Both of these teams are winless, but it is Sheffield United that sit bottom of the league after four defeats on the spin. Ruben Selles is under massive pressure already, but the late signings in the window have seriously strengthened their squad, with Alex Matos, Ben Mee and Mark McGuinness now all in the building.

Ipswich have struggled to get going after 11 incomings and 14 outgoings, so let’s back a point that will be more pleasing for the away side than the Tractor Boys. 1-1.

Conor: 2-1

Nick: 2-1

Charlton Athletic vs Millwall (12:30, Sky Sports Main Event) 0-1 @ 15/2

Millwall have been wonderful on the road, and dreadful at home this season which makes them difficult to predict. Alex Neil’s side have been so difficult to beat in the past few years, and they were wasteful in their 2-0 home defeat to Wrexham, so let’s back them to get back to winning ways at the Valley. Charlton have lost their last two league matches as they try to get to grips with the level. 0-1. 

Conor: 1-1

Nick: 1-1

Oxford United vs Leicester City (12:30, Sky Sports+) - 0-2 @ 8/1

Oxford got their first point of the season last time out at home to Coventry, but they were second best in the first half and the game should have been out of reach. I’m getting slightly concerned about them now this term, while Leicester - inspired by Abdul Fatawu, have picked up three wins from four. Should be a comfortable away win. 0-2. 

Conor: 1-2

Nick: 1-1

Preston vs Middlesbrough (12:30, Sky Sports+) 0-2 @ 11/1

Middlesbrough have been perfect so far this season, winning four from four and keeping three clean sheets on the bounce. Boro have kept Hayden Hackney, and their back three is working well, so let’s back them to keep on rolling against a Preston side that have also impressed early on. Another 0-2.

Conor: 1-2

Nick: 1-0

Watford vs Blackburn Rovers (15:00) 2-0 @ 10/1

Blackburn Rovers lost Dom Hyam to Wrexham late on Deadline Day and it just feels as though the slide towards relegation may be on once again. Meanwhile, Watford have a seriously special talent on their hands in the form of Nestory Irankunda, as he shone for Australia during the international break. He can inspire a home win to nil. 2-0.

Conor: 2-1 

Nick: 2-1

Coventry City vs Norwich City (15:00) 2-2 @ 12/1

Coventry City are the top scorers in the entire EFL - in fact, they’ve broken the record for the most goals scored in the opening four matches of a Championship season, notching 14 so far. Their next test comes at home to Norwich City, who boast the league’s highest scorer in Josh Sargent, so goals are surely a sensible bet. I can’t split these two, so let’s go for a Desmond. 

Conor: 2-1 

Nick: 3-1

Sheffield Wednesday vs Bristol City (15:00) 0-4 @ 40/1

Sheffield Wednesday are a mess this season, and those issues have been well-documented. Their squad is now made up of some experienced heads, but the bench has barely any experience at all. It’s not good enough for the level, and they’ve just picked up one point from four so far. I think now the transfer window is shut, Wednesday’s problems will become more apparent on the pitch - and up against a high-pressing Bristol City outfit, I think a 4-0 away win offers massive value at 40/1.  

Conor: 1-3

Nick: 1-3

Stoke City vs Birmingham City (15:00) 1-2 @ 17/2

Stoke have had a cracking start to the season under Mark Robins, but lost last time out at home to West Brom, and I think it’s time that Birmingham gave their promotion credentials a real boost. Jay Stansfield should be back in the side, so I’ll back their attacking quality to just shine through in an entertaining game. 

Conor: 1-1

Nick: 1-2

Today's Football Fixtures

Swansea City vs Hull City (15:00) 1-0 @ 11/2

Hull have lost their last two games in the Championship and they still have a squad that should place somewhere in the bottom eight. Meanwhile, Alan Sheehan has done well at Swansea City, and they’ve gone unbeaten in all competitions since losing to Boro on the opening day. They should have enough to just edge this one. 

Conor: 2-0

Nick: 2-0

West Brom vs Derby County (15:00) 2-1 @ 15/2

Ryan Mason has enjoyed a superb start to life at West Brom, winning three and drawing one to guide WBA to an unbeaten. They have already played Derby this season in the Carabao Cup, drawing 1-1 at the Hawthorns before losing on penalties. However, Derby have looked dodgy at the back, conceding 11 goals in four Championship matches and so I think West Brom will land a narrow win. 2-1. 

Conor: 3-1

Nick: 1-1

Wrexham vs QPR (15:00) 3-1 @ 14/1

Wrexham got their first Championship win against Millwall last time out, and this fixture looks to play into their hands as well. Both teams have scored in every QPR game so far and their risky strategy hasn’t yet paid off on the road. They beat Charlton 3-1 last time out but I think Wrexham will have too much for them, with their new additions likely to boost them up the table.

Conor: 2-0

Nick: 3-1

Southampton vs Portsmouth (12:00, ITV1) 2-3 @ 40/1

The game of the weekend. Southampton host Portsmouth in the South Coast Derby and I think it is well worth backing this game to contain goals. Conor Chaplin has rejoined Pompey on loan, Adrian Segecic has been a fantastic addition, and we all know about the quality of Josh Murphy and Colby Bishop.

I think they can seriously hurt a Southampton side that haven’t looked at their best at home, edging past Wrexham before losing to Stoke. However, they have a lot of attacking talent of their own, as Adam Armstrong and Cameron Archer are two top strikers and Tom Fellows and Finn Azaz also joined the party this summer

Conor: 2-2

Nick: 3-1

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