Championship

Championship Predictions – Saturday 24th January 2026

5 hours ago

| BY Tony Incenzo

IT is another case of out of the frying pan into the fire for our EFL Championship clubs.

Having completed a round of energetic midweek combat, they are straight back at it this weekend. As usual, there are important matches directly affecting promotion, Play-Offs and relegation issues. Accordingly, Championship betting is attracting bumper interest.

Here are the upcoming pairings alongside my considered score predictions to guide your football betting…

Middlesbrough v Preston North End

Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 2nd versus 6th

Middlesbrough preview – Six points shy of pole position enjoying a two point cushion on the chasing Play-Off pack. Boro boast three straight EFL victories overturning the preceding four winless Championship fixtures. Significantly, four of their next six games are at the Riverside Stadium.

Preston North End preview – Three consecutive defeats in League and Cup without scoring – all at home – see Preston hovering nine points below Saturday’s opponents. North End forward Milutin Osmajic faces a three game ban due to his red card against Hull City last time out.

Score prediction: Boro beaming 4-2.

Millwall v Charlton Athletic

Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 5th versus 18th

Millwall preview – Local bragging opinions at stake between two South-East London rivals based less than five miles apart as the crow flies.

Millwall’s five match unbeaten EFL run was terminated by Tuesday night’s 2-1 reverse away to leaders Coventry City. The Lions lie six points short of automatic promotion contention. Strangely, they possess a minus three goal difference in fifth place!

Charlton Athletic preview – Four points above the dreaded dotted relegation line. This reflects a disappointing sequence of one win amid seven encounters in all competitions. Liverpool left-back Luke Chambers penned a loan deal on Wednesday. Charlton haven’t won on the road since October.

Score prediction: Lions likely lads 2-0.

Sheffield United v Ipswich Town

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 17th versus 3rd

Sheffield United preview – Vastly improved beyond boss Chris Wilder’s return to Bramall Lane in September subsequently climbing four points away from the relegation region. Yet currently nursing three successive League and Cup losses.

Ipswich Town preview – Two points behind second spot while holding a game in hand. Seven unbeaten in all competitions capped by five consecutive victories. Indeed, 16 points achieved within the last 18 available. And 24 goals conceded signifies the Championship’s meanest defensive rearguard.

Score prediction: Ipswich idols 1-0.

Hull City v Swansea City

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 4th versus 16th

Hull City preview – Seven wins among nine League and Cup affairs leave Hull five points off second slot. Merely one loss in that fruitful run. However, key defender Charlie Hughes is being heavily linked with Crystal Palace in the present transfer window.

Swansea City preview – Three victories inside five EFL outings. Swans marksman Zan Vipotnik is divisional top scorer racking up 13 goals including a brace during Tuesday evening’s 3-1 home triumph against Blackburn Rovers.

The 23-year-old Slovenia striker is reportedly featuring on West Ham United’s transfer radar.

Score prediction: Hull hardworking 2-1.