Tony Incenzo previews the biggest EFL Championship fixtures on Saturday 23rd August 2025.
AS an appetising third instalment of EFL Championship action approaches this weekend, it is worth analysing the fledgling table.
Just three teams hold 100% records thereby confounding Championship betting patterns. Meanwhile six sides have yet to pick up a point.
Here are the upcoming pairings I am anticipating most alongside considered score predictions to guide your live betting…
Charlton Athletic v Leicester City
Punters can bet on Charlton v Leicester at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- Charlton – 12/5
- Draw – 11/5
- Leicester – 11/10
Charlton Athletic Preview
A solid start on four points for the League One Play-Off Final winners.
However, only one Championship goal scored. The prolific £3.5 million front line signing Charlie Kelman seeks his first strike.
Leicester City Preview
New boss Martí Cifuentes has endured a mixed bag of results – one win and one defeat in the Championship sandwiching an embarrassing League Cup penalty shoot-out defeat at Huddersfield Town.
Current transfer speculation involves Jeremy Monga, Harry Winks and Abdul Fatawu all being linked with moves away from Leicester.
Charlton vs Leicester score prediction: A poor spectacle 0-0.
Norwich City v Middlesbrough
Punters can bet on Norwich v Middlesbrough at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- Norwich – 23/20
- Draw – 23/10
- Middlesbrough – 11/5
Norwich City Preview
Returning to Carrow Road having won two League and Cup games on the road. New boss Liam Manning is settling in very nicely at his home town club.
I’m interested to see that USA international striker Josh Sargent has scored in all three matches played. If he can stay clear of injuries, Sargent should easily beat his 2024/25 tally of 15 goals.
Middlesbrough Preview
Joint top recording two successive Championship wins without conceding. Last Saturday’s 3-0 triumph down at Millwall incorporated three second half goals.
Tuesday morning saw Boro’s new head coach Rob Edwards recruit Manchester City midfielder Sverre Nypan on a season long loan deal.
Norwich vs Middlesbrough score prediction: Boro blister onwards 2-0.
Sheffield United v Millwall
Punters can bet on Sheffield United v Millwall at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- Sheffield United – EVS
- Draw – 23/10
- Millwall – 27/10
Sheffield United Preview
Definitely suffering a bad hangover from losing last season’s Play-Off Final against Sunderland.
Nevertheless, I am totally surprised by the three straight defeats in all competitions for new manager Rubén Sellés. He could sign former Brentford man Ben Mee to boost his defensive options.
Millwall Preview
A two match winning sequence in League and Cup was abruptly terminated by last Saturday’s 3-0 home slump at the hands of Middlesbrough.
Lions boss Alex Neil said: “We must be brighter and smarter in how we want to play.”
Sheffield United vs Millwall score prediction: Blades off the mark 1-0.
Southampton v Stoke City
Punters can bet on Southampton v Stoke at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- Southampton – 8/11
- Draw – 5/2
- Stoke – 18/5
Southampton Preview
Under new boss Will Still, relegated Saints can reflect on a home victory past Wrexham prior to last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Ipswich Town.
The latter fixture included 18 year old striker Jay Robinson nodding his first goal for Southampton.
Stoke City Preview
Even the most ardent of supporters could not have predicted Stoke would be top of the Championship at this stage. Particularly in light of last season’s 18th placed finish when relegation was ultimately avoided by merely two points.
But the Potters now boast two consecutive wins and are divisional foremost scorers on six goals. Even so, boss Mark Robins says: “There is still room for improvement and our performances will need to be better.”
Southampton vs Stoke score prediction: Saints alive 3-2.
West Bromwich Albion v Portsmouth
Punters can bet on West Brom v Portsmouth at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- West Brom – 4/6
- Draw – 13/5
- Portsmouth – 15/4
West Bromwich Albion Preview
Joint top on six points. Midfield man Isaac Price has notched three Championship goals already playing in behind the front man.
Portsmouth Preview
Scraped a 1-0 victory at Oxford United on the opening day but then lost back to back home fixtures in the League Cup and Championship.
Pompey head coach John Mousinho said his team “apologetically defended” during last Saturday’s 2-1 reverse against Norwich City.
West Brom vs Portsmouth score prediction: Boing boing Baggies bouncing 3-1.
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
