Championship Predictions And Betting Tips for Saturday 4th January 2025

THE first full weekend of action for 2025 is rapidly approaching in our hectic EFL Championship.

None of the top three clubs won on New Year’s Day confounding Championship odds so they will all be desperate to bounce back. Some crucial battles affecting relegation haunted teams loom too. And there are further fascinating developments on the managerial merry-go-round.

You can read my predictions for Sunday’s Championship fixtures here.

Here are the pairings I am anticipating most alongside considered score predictions to assist your football betting…

Hull City v Leeds United

Leeds United were surprisingly held 1-1 at Elland Road against Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day before 36,645 spectators. They are three points clear in pole position following five wins among seven unbeaten outings and are the division’s leading scorers on 45 goals.

Meanwhile, Hull City surrendered 1-0 at the hands of visitors Middlesbrough and lie one point short of safety.

The Tigers have mustered merely two victories across 17 games although performances show signs of improvement since ex-Reading boss Ruben Selles was installed on 6th December. Hull require an upgrade on just two home triumphs throughout 2024/25.

Score prediction: Laudable Leeds 3-1.

Blackburn Rovers v Burnley

Local bragging rights at stake between two Lancashire rivals based less than 15 miles apart via the M65 motorway. Blackburn hover beneath the Play-Off discussions on goal difference after four winless matches.

Yet they can take great heart from Danny Batth’s close range sidefooted 90th minute equaliser which secured that aforementioned 1-1 result at Leeds United.

As for Burnley loitering three points off top spot in the Championship standings, the 0-0 home stalemate versus Stoke City elongated a 12 game unbeaten spree – albeit amassing their seventh scoreless 2024/25 encounter. The Clarets thereby enforced the division’s meanest rearguard of nine goals leaked in 25 games.

Score prediction: Another 0-0 draw.

Watford v Sheffield United

Watford have lost three of the past four engagements. I personally witnessed their comprehensive 3-1 humbling at Queens Park Rangers inside Loftus Road’s press box on New Year’s Day.

I instinctively knew the Hornets would be beaten once I spotted several players with training top hoods up in the wind and rain during the pre-match warm-up. Even so, they remain strong at Vicarage Road recording nine wins and only one loss on Hertfordshire turf so far to sit two points under Play-Off contention.

Contrastingly, Sheffield United nurse two defeats in three miserable festive fixtures bereft of victory most recently going down 2-1 at Sunderland. The Blades are three points below first place.

Score prediction: Blades recover 1-0.

Middlesbrough v Cardiff City

Middlesbrough’s 1-0 success at Hull City made it five games unbeaten. Alex Gilbert dramatically grabbed their winner delivering a crisp eight yard finish three minutes into stoppage time at the very end.

Next up, Cardiff City slumber one point underneath the dreaded dotted relegation line having drawn 1-1 at home to Coventry City. However, the Bluebirds reflect on just one maximum pointer achieved in 11 matches and overall a solitary away victory this Championship campaign.

Score prediction: Boro ballistic 5-0.

Stoke City v Plymouth Argyle

Plenty of interest in the respective dug-outs here. It is an inaugural match for Stoke City’s new manager Mark Robins who was announced early on New Year’s Day when penning a three and a half year contract.

The ensuing scoreless scrap at Burnley represented a final task for interim boss Ryan Shawcross. Effectively, Robins must seriously arrest the Potters’ slide of one win within 11 attempts. Paul Nevin and James Rowberry also join to form his backroom staff.

Looking at imminent opposition Plymouth, head coach Wayne Rooney departed by mutual agreement on Tuesday subsequent to six defeats amidst nine games lacking victory.

First team coach Kevin Nancekivell and club captain Joe Edwards then oversaw the side’s 2-2 home draw against Bristol City. Argyle twice came from behind incorporating Julio Pleguezuelo volleying their second equaliser in the 91st minute. But they are currently four points shy of survival placings and haven’t won on the road to date.

Names being mentioned for a replacement manager include Steven Schumacher, Ryan Lowe, Neil Harris and Russell Martin.

Score prediction: Stoke edge it 3-2.