Championship Predictions: Will the draws continue as Wrexham host Birmingham?

After an enthralling midweek round of fixtures, the Championship goes again this weekend - the final round of fixtures before the international break. Middlesbrough and Coventry remain unbeaten as the top two after Boro drew 0-0 with Stoke and Cov continued their fine goalscoring form with a 4-0 win at Boro. 

Meanwhile Sheffield United’s struggles continued with another home defeat, and below myself, Conor and Nick give our Championshp Predictions for Gameweek nine. Conor had a storming midweek to tie with Nick at the top, but there’s a long way to go…

Wrexham vs Birmingham City (20:00, Friday) - 2-1 @ 9/1

The big American showbiz derby takes place on Friday night and it pits a hit and miss Wrexham outfit against a Birmingham side that has severely underperformed in recent weeks. They rescued a draw at home against Sheffield Wednesday which sent Chris Davies flying down the touchline in midweek, but that performance, and the one against Coventry just wasn’t good enough. Wrexham meanwhile picked up a good point in midweek at Leicester and their new players seem to be settling in. Home win.

Nick: 2-1

Conor: 2-1

Blackburn Rovers vs Stoke City (12:30, Saturday) - 0-1 @ 15/2

Blackburn lost at home to Swansea on Tuesday night and they’ve now lost back-to-back games since the unfortunate postponement against Ipswich Town. The club is trending in the wrong direction, while Stoke got a good point at Middlesbrough in midweek and are going well under Mark Robins. The Potters can find another three points here.

Nick: 1-1

Conor: 1-1

Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry City (12:30, Saturday) - 0-5 @ 40/1

Cov. Cov. Cov. The highest-scoring team in Europe's top eight leagues right now (no, seriously) have torn the league apart so far and this week they’ve recorded a 3-0 win over Birmingham and a 4-0 win at Millwall. Twenty-two goals scored in eight games, and next up they travel to a Sheffield Wednesday side that has done tremendously well here, but could be found out against clinical opposition. I’m going for a massive away win at a big price.

Nick: 0-3

Conor: 0-4 

Hull City vs Sheffield United (12:30, Saturday) - 1-2 @ 9/1

Have I lost the plot? Maybe. But I just fancy Sheffield United to slowly turn things around under Chris Wilder (if he can stop booting footballs at his own fans). The 2-1 defeat to Southampton in midweek was disappointing, but they did win their last away game at Oxford and Hull City are nothing to be scared of. Away win. 

Nick: 1-1

Conor: 0-1

Derby County vs Southampton (15:00, Saturday) - 0-2 @ 10/1

Another away win - how exciting. Ross Stewart’s impact on Saints could be exactly what they have been missing up top as he hammered the winner into the top corner from long range at Bramall Lane. He should be able to lead them to another victory, against a Derby outfit that have won one of eight and just can’t get going this season. 

Nick: 1-2

Conor: 1-2

Preston North End vs Charlton Athletic (15:00, Saturday) - 1-1 @ 5/1

Right, these next few picks are all very boring - but I’m lagging behind on the scoreboard so forgive me. Fifteen of the last 24 results (the last two gameweeks) in the Championship have been draws, which just shows how well-matched most of the sides in the division this season are. Preston are one of those teams that have drawn their last two, so let’s go three for three here with a 1-1. 

Nick: 0-0

Conor: 1-1

Bristol City vs QPR (15:00, Saturday) - 1-1 @ 6/1

Bristol City have also drawn their last two matches, holding Ipswich Town to a 1-1 in midweek after a stalemate with PNE. QPR had a 0-0 draw of their own against Oxford, following on from a 1-1 draw with Sheffield Wednesday? See the pattern here? It’s boring but I’m going for another 1-1.

Nick: 1-0

Conor: 2-1

Portsmouth vs Middlesbrough (15:00, Saturday) - 1-1 @ 11/2

League leaders Middlesbrough have done remarkably well this term, but this is a long away trip to the South Coast that could cause them a few issues. They’ve drawn their last two games and while Pompey haven’t been in great form, they came from behind to draw 2-2 with Watford on Wednesday. Boro can retain their unbeaten tag. Just. 

Nick: 2-2

Conor: 1-2

Swansea City vs Leicester City (15:00, Saturday) - 1-1 @ 5/1

“Not another one, I can’t”. Four 1-1 draws in a row seems bonkers - but it feels like the most probable scoreline in the Championship this term. Swansea have drawn their last three league games, with one of those ending 2-2 and the other two 1-1, so it’s the right pick here. Leicester are a good outfit but they’ve now drawn their last four games in a row and are losing ground in the title race. Draw. 

Nick: 1-2

Conor: 1-1

Millwall vs West Brom (15:00, Saturday) - 0-1 @ 13/2

Millwall were hammered on Wednesday night and have a few injury issues that are causing Alex Neil problems. They host an impressive West Brom side that are up to fourth, and beat Norwich 1-0 away from home on Wednesday. They should be able to find another narrow away win.

Nick: 1-0

Conor: 0-1

Today's Football Fixtures

Watford vs Oxford United (15:00, Saturday) - 0-0 @ 17/2

Boring. The Watford fans hate their manager and Oxford have the stubborn Gary Rowett in charge. A 0-0 stalemate would no doubt draw the ire of the home faithful. 

Nick: 1-2

Conor: 1-1

Ipswich Town vs Norwich City (12:00, Sunday) 1-1 @ 15/2

The East Anglian Derby! This Sunday clash should be an intriguing watch, given Ipswich haven’t beaten Norwich since 2009. That 16-year run is something the Canaries are extremely proud of, but they’ve been shocking at home this season losing four out of four. 

Fortunately perhaps, this game is at Portman Road, with Norwich unbeaten on their travels this term and Ipswich failing to fire on all cylinders. The Tractor Boys are the favourites, but I can see Norwich doggedly defending their record with a draw.

Nick: 2-1

Conor: 2-2

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