Championship
Championship Predictions – Saturday 7 November: Middlesbrough, Southampton & West Ham all to win away
Birmingham’s meeting with Swansea headlines William Hill’s Saturday Championship programme, while Middlesbrough, Southampton and West Ham all face away assignments.
Here are our predictions for all 11 Saturday fixtures. Middlesbrough and Wolves still have a game in hand in the current table, so their positions could change before the weekend.
Bristol City v Norwich City
Match odds: Bristol City 8/5 | Draw 23/10 | Norwich City 8/5.
Norwich arrive with confidence after a commanding 4-0 victory at Derby. They have won their last three league matches and scored 27 goals in 14 games, giving them a considerably stronger attacking return than Bristol City’s 15 goals from 13
The Canaries’ record also illustrates their inconsistency: six wins, eight defeats and no draws. Bristol City have a more balanced record, but Norwich’s recent momentum earns them the preference at the same price as the hosts. This may be competitive, yet the visitors look better equipped to produce the decisive attacking contribution.
Score prediction: Bristol City 1-2 Norwich City
Portsmouth v Stoke City
Match odds: Portsmouth 7/5 | Draw 2/1 | Stoke City 2/1.
Portsmouth’s 3-1 victory over Swansea was an impressive result and extended their unbeaten sequence to five league games. They sit 10th, but are only four points behind third-placed Stoke, making this an opportunity to close the gap on the promotion places
Stoke deserve respect after winning 2-1 at Blackburn. They have eight victories from 14 matches, although four defeats show they are not immune to setbacks. Portsmouth’s recent consistency makes them a credible home selection, but Stoke have enough attacking threat to leave with a point.
Score prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Stoke City
Wrexham v Wolves
Match odds: Wrexham 19/10 | Draw 12/5 | Wolves 5/4.
Wolves hold the stronger position in the current table, sitting seventh with seven wins from 13 matches. Wrexham are 19th, having won three of their opening 13 fixtures, and have lost their last two league games
The hosts also face Middlesbrough before this fixture, so that result could alter the mood around the club. On the available evidence, however, Wolves have the stronger overall record and greater scoring output: 23 goals compared with Wrexham’s 15. That makes the visitors the preference, without assuming this will be a comfortable afternoon.
Score prediction: Wrexham 1-2 Wolves
Birmingham City v Swansea City
Match odds: Birmingham City 10/11 | Draw 12/5 | Swansea City 14/5.
Second meets fourth in one of Saturday’s standout fixtures. Both teams have 26 points from 14 games, but Birmingham have the better goal difference and arrive after an emphatic 3-0 win over Millwall. They have scored 26 goals and conceded 13, giving them the best defensive return in the current table
Swansea’s 3-1 defeat at Portsmouth was their third loss in five league matches. Their eight wins demonstrate their threat, but Birmingham’s combination of recent momentum and defensive strength makes the hosts the stronger selection.
Score prediction: Birmingham City 2-1 Swansea City
Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United
Match odds: Blackburn Rovers 19/5 | Draw 3/1 | West Ham United 8/13.
West Ham are the division’s highest scorers in the current standings, with 33 goals from 13 matches. Scott Parker’s appointment will also be a boost to the mood around the club, so we’re anticipating quite the reaction for his first game in charge.
Blackburn have also lost their last two league games, most recently going down 2-1 at home to Stoke. They have conceded 22 goals in 14 matches, and West Ham should create opportunities against that defence. The visitors are preferred, although their recent form makes the short price less attractive than some alternatives elsewhere on the card.
Score prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 West Ham United
Cardiff City v Burnley
Match odds: Cardiff City 13/10 | Draw 13/5 | Burnley 9/5.
Burnley’s problems are clear: one win from 14 games, 26 goals conceded and a place in the relegation zone. Nevertheless, seven draws show they have often stayed competitive, and their latest point came in a 1-1 draw at QPR
Cardiff have three wins from 13 and only four more points than the visitors. Their record offers little justification for expecting a comfortable home success. Burnley’s tendency to draw makes another shared result the appealing angle in a match between two sides struggling to establish consistency.
Score prediction: Cardiff City 1-1 Burnley
Charlton Athletic v Sheffield United
Match odds: Charlton Athletic 23/10 | Draw 23/10 | Sheffield United 11/10.
Charlton are struggling for both goals and results. They have scored just 11 times in 14 games and suffered four consecutive league defeats, including a 1-0 home loss to Bolton in their latest outing
Sheffield United have a much stronger platform after back-to-back victories. Their 3-2 win at Preston highlighted their attacking threat, although conceding twice against the bottom club suggests there is room for improvement defensively. Charlton’s lack of goals nevertheless makes the visitors an appealing away selection at odds against.
Score prediction: Charlton Athletic 0-2 Sheffield United
Preston North End v Southampton
Match odds: Preston North End 18/5 | Draw 3/1 | Southampton 13/20.
Preston remain bottom with five points from 14 games, having lost 11 times and conceded 30 goals. They showed some attacking resistance in the 3-2 defeat to Sheffield United, but another loss underlined the scale of their difficulties
Southampton have eight wins from 14, with 29 goals scored and 14 conceded. Their latest result was a 1-1 draw at West Brom, and they remain unbeaten across their last five league matches. Their stronger balance at both ends makes them difficult to oppose here.
Score prediction: Preston North End 1-3 Southampton
QPR v Lincoln City
Match odds: QPR 3/4 | Draw 14/5 | Lincoln City 16/5.
QPR have been competitive rather than consistently decisive, drawing six of their 14 league matches. Their latest 1-1 result against Burnley was another missed opportunity to turn a point into three, but their positive goal difference reflects a reasonably solid campaign
Lincoln have lost four of their last five league games, most recently going down 1-0 at Watford. They have scored 14 and conceded 24 across 14 fixtures, leaving them vulnerable against a QPR side with the stronger attacking return. Home advantage tips the balance towards Rangers.
Score prediction: QPR 2-0 Lincoln City
Watford v Middlesbrough
Match odds: Watford 9/2 | Draw 16/5 | Middlesbrough 1/2.
Middlesbrough lead the current standings with eight wins, four draws and only one defeat from 13 matches. Their 30 goals underline their attacking quality, although their midweek trip to Wrexham is still outstanding
Watford earned a useful 1-0 victory over Lincoln, but remain 20th with eight defeats from 14 games. Their 13 goals scored contrast sharply with Boro’s output. The hosts’ latest clean sheet offers encouragement, but the leaders have the stronger credentials to take all three points.
Score prediction: Watford 0-2 Middlesbrough
West Bromwich Albion v Millwall
Match odds: West Bromwich Albion 21/20 | Draw 12/5 | Millwall 12/5.
West Brom are unbeaten in their last five league games and sit fifth after collecting 25 points from 14 matches. Their latest 1-1 draw with Southampton maintained that run and provides a solid platform for another home fixture
Millwall’s 3-0 defeat at Birmingham was their third loss in five. They have conceded 24 goals in 14 matches, compared with West Brom’s 15, and that defensive contrast is important. At a shade of odds against, Albion are the standout home selection to extend their unbeaten sequence with a victory.
Score prediction: West Bromwich Albion 2-1 Millwall
Prices accurate at time of writing – odds subject to change.
