Championship

Championship Predictions: Swansea vs Wrexham, West Ham vs Derby & Best Bets

2 hours ago

| BY Tony Incenzo

FIVE clubs steadfastly protect unbeaten records as we hurtle into another weekend of mesmerising EFL Championship combat. In fact, three previously unfancied sides head the table.

Alternatively, three teams are yet to register a much sought after victory including one who haven’t even got a point to their name. Therefore football betting odds make fascinating reading.

Here is my analysis of the upcoming games I am looking forward to most alongside considered score predictions to assist your Championship betting on Saturday afternoon.

Stoke City v Charlton Athletic Prediction

Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 22nd versus 3rd

Stoke City preview – Hovering in the relegation zone on goal difference. At least Tuesday night brought Stoke’s first EFL win this season. It was 1-0 at home to Norwich City thanks to Ethan Galbraith’s deflected 13th minute goal.

Charlton Athletic preview – Unbeaten and joint top. Charlton’s 100% winning start came to a halt on Wednesday. They drew 1-1 at West Bromwich Albion where Tyreece Campbell drilled a timely equaliser for the Addicks with 21 minutes remaining.

Score prediction: Sombre 0-0.

Queens Park Rangers v Middlesbrough Prediction

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 2nd versus 5th

Queens Park Rangers preview – Also undefeated as joint leaders. I intently watched Wednesday’s 2-1 triumph against Cardiff City inside the Matrade Loftus Road press box.

Rumarn Burrell netted twice for Rangers generating a tremendous buzz of optimism around the crowd. New signings Glen Kamara & Tariq Lamptey gave exceptional performances.

Middlesbrough preview – Three points behind Saturday’s hosts. New £10 million recruit Will Lankshear has rattled six League and Cup goals already for Boro.

Score prediction: Spectacle of the season 5-5.

West Ham United v Derby County Prediction

Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 12th versus 16th

West Ham United preview – Steadily adjusting to Championship life following Premier League relegation. Star man Jarrod Bowen got off the EFL mark for 2026/27 by confidently tucking away a penalty during Tuesday’s exciting 4-2 success over visitors Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Derby County preview – Chalked up their first maximum pointer in midweek cruising 2-0 at Portsmouth courtesy of goals via Sammie Szmodics and sub Lars-Jorgen Salvesen.

Score prediction: Hammers hotshots 3-1.

Swansea City v Wrexham Prediction

Kick-off: 8pm
Rankings: 1st versus 11th

Swansea City preview – A so-called “Welsh derby” although these two clubs actually lie 124 miles apart as the crow flies. The most direct road journey takes three and a half hours. Swansea are unbeaten and sitting top on goal difference.

Eom Ji-sung and Adam Idah were the marksmen illuminating Tuesday’s 2-0 home triumph against Watford. Significantly, only one EFL goal conceded by the Swans to date incorporating three consecutive clean sheets

Wrexham preview – An initial 2026/27 win arrived 3-0 at Millwall on Wednesday evening. Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said: “I felt we controlled the game for long spells showing how far my team has progressed to.”

Score prediction: Swans sail away 2-0.