Championship

Big Guns To Keep Pace In EFL Championship Title Race This Weekend

4 hours ago

| BY Tony Incenzo

POLE position in our EFL Championship changed hands once more on Monday evening, and Tony Incenzo is here to preview the biggest games in the second tier this weekend.

Accordingly, we have a new wave of interest for Championship betting ahead of the weekend programme. There are important matches affecting promotion, Play-Off and relegation issues.

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

West Bromwich Albion v Coventry City

Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 21st versus 1st

West Bromwich Albion preview – Desperately slipping towards relegation peril thanks to eight winless League affairs, losing five times. Indeed, Baggies boss Eric Ramsay continues to seek an initial victory since his 11th January installation.

Coventry City preview – Back on top following Monday’s stirring 3-1 home triumph over fellow title contenders Middlesbrough. USA forward Haji Wright was star man netting a hat-trick. That takes him to 13 League goals this season.

It was a first win across four Championship outings for Frank Lampard’s men. They are the second tier’s foremost scorers racking up 66 goals. Nevertheless, their last away victory was on 25th November.

Score prediction: Cov stride onwards 2-0.

Hull City v Queens Park Rangers

Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 5th versus 13th

Hull City preview – Three matches lacking victories in League and Cup have overturned the preceding run of four straight Championship maximum pointers. Even so, their 3-2 reverse against visitors Bristol City last time out was a first defeat inside six EFL assignments.

Queens Park Rangers preview – I watched last Saturday’s 3-1 loss versus Blackburn Rovers from the Matrade Loftus Road press box.

Rangers gave a disappointing display and are severely missing injured stars including Jake Clarke-Salter, Ilias Chair and 10 goal leading scorer Rumarn Burrell. They possess one win amid seven League and Cup attempts. Significantly, QPR’s past three Championship away games finished scoreless.

Score prediction: Another 0-0.

Middlesbrough v Oxford United

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 2nd versus 23rd

Middlesbrough preview – Monday’s aforementioned 3-1 defeat against Coventry City saw Boro displaced at the summit by their opponents. It terminated six consecutive EFL wins for Middlesbrough.

Oxford United preview – Five matches bereft of victory embracing all competitions, failing to score in the last three. The U’s previous home success was on Boxing Day. Overall, they reflect on one win during nine Championship encounters.

Score prediction: Boro bounce back 4-1.

Millwall v Portsmouth

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 3rd versus 19th

Millwall preview – The Lions have suffered a solitary defeat within 10 League matches which was 2-1 away to high flying Coventry City. I raised an eyebrow when they fell behind at rock bottom Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday but two quicksilver goals secured Millwall’s win.

Portsmouth preview – Fresh from Tuesday night’s most welcome 3-1 conquest at Charlton Athletic. A first win in three League engagements, it moved Pompey four points clear of the bottom three having played one game less than the teams around them.

Score prediction: Millwall on the march 3-1.

Wrexham v Ipswich Town

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 7th versus 4th

Wrexham preview – Only goal difference is keeping the ‘Hollywood Club’ below Play-Off discussions. Yet two wins in six EFL fixtures is a mixed sequence culminating by drawing 2-2 at Bristol City on Tuesday.

Ipswich Town preview – Eight wins accrued spanning 12 League matches. The Tractor Boys hold two games in hand on all the teams above. They also protect the Championship’s joint best defensive rearguard with 29 goals conceded.

Score prediction: Entertaining 2-2.

Watford v Derby County

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 12th versus 6th

Watford preview – New head coach Ed Still drew his inaugural match in charge 2-2 away to Preston North End last Saturday. Thus, Watford haven’t won for eight League and Cup contests. Still said: “There are aspects we can improve upon. However, we need to improve quickly to be able to capitalise on the good stuff.”

Derby County preview – Four wins enriching six EFL games for the Rams. Good travellers because they’ve amassed 27 points from 15 Championship road trips throughout 2025/26.

Score prediction: Derby delight 2-1.