EFL Championship: Roaring Lions, Clash Of The Titans And Best Of The Rest This Weekend

A CONDENSED programme of EFL Championship action looms this weekend due to Emirates FA Cup involvement but there is still a fascinating set of matches for punters to get stuck into.

But plenty of talking points affect Championship betting. We suddenly have new leaders although that could change again on Monday night in what promises to be the division’s most anticipated match of the entire campaign. And there’s a new managerial appointment too.

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

Derby County v Swansea City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 11th versus 15th

Derby County preview – Two points under Play-off contention. Last Saturday’s 2-1 reverse against visitors Ipswich Town ended the Rams’ four match unbeaten EFL sequence. Indeed, they need to upgrade on four home Championship victories throughout 2025/26.

Swansea City preview – Three points below their imminent hosts following two successive maximum pointers without conceding.

The Swans were 20th when Vitor Matos was unveiled as head coach on 24th November so he has engineered a marked improvement. Slovenia striker Zan Vipotnik is divisional leading scorer delivering 15 EFL goals

Score prediction: Swans shining 3-1.

Portsmouth v Sheffield United

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 20th versus 17th

Portsmouth preview – One point above the dreaded dotted relegation line after one win across four Championship attempts. Even so, Pompey hold two games in hand on third bottom Blackburn Rovers and are five EFL matches unbeaten at Fratton Park accruing 11 points.

Sheffield United preview – The upwardly mobile Blades were distinct relegation candidates prior to boss Chris Wilder returning in September. Currently mustering two wins amid four EFL outings. However, just one point and one goal netted over the past three League road trips.

Score prediction: Sleepy 0-0.

Preston North End v Watford

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 7th versus 12th

Preston North End preview – Outside the Play-Off discussions on goal difference. The 1-0 home triumph against Portsmouth last Saturday overturned a five match winless League and Cup return.

Watford preview – Monday saw the Hornets install Edward Still as their new head coach. He has previous managerial experience in Belgium and replaces Javi Gracia who resigned at Vicarage Road on 1st February.

Watford haven’t won during seven League and Cup encounters where they only scored three times. Significantly though, incoming Still says he is confident in closing a three point gap on the coveted Play-Off zone.

Score prediction: Preston precise 1-0.

Queens Park Rangers v Blackburn Rovers

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 13th versus 22nd

Queens Park Rangers preview – Three points beneath the top six. Injury ravaged Rangers possess a single victory among five EFL engagements drawing three of them.

Blackburn Rovers preview – A first game in the hot seat for Northern Ireland boss Michael O’Neill who was appointed at Blackburn on Friday until the end of this season. He will combine both his managerial roles. It is two wins spanning 17 League and Cup games so Rovers lie in the bottom three on goal difference.

Score prediction: Rangers rousing 4-2.

Sheffield Wednesday v Millwall

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 24th versus 5th

Sheffield Wednesday preview – A total of 18 points deducted by the EFL for financial issues means Wednesday slumber rock bottom nursing minus 7 points. Hence an insurmountable 39 points to make up for retaining Championship status.

Only one 2025/26 League win – namely 2-0 away to Portsmouth on Saturday 20th September. The Owls haven’t scored in 10 consecutive assignments embracing all competitions which marks an unwanted club record. I feel really sorry for their fans who continue to loyally turn up each week.

Millwall preview – Six points short of automatic promotion reckoning. The Lions have suffered a solitary defeat within nine League affairs.

Score prediction: Lions roar loud 4-0.

Coventry City v Middlesbrough

• Kick-off: 8pm
• Rankings: 2nd versus 1st

Coventry City preview – Every neutral fan of the Championship is eagerly looking forward to this epic clash. The Sky Blues opened up a 10 point cushion by the end of November yet presently hover two points behind Monday’s opponents.

It reflects two wins inside nine League and Cup games incorporating five losses. Nevertheless, Frank Lampard’s men are still the second tier’s foremost scorers racking up 63 goals complementing merely one home 2025/26 EFL defeat.

Middlesbrough preview – Hit pole position courtesy of last Monday evening’s competent 2-1 victory away to Sheffield United. Overall, six straight EFL wins for Boro whilst nabbing 16 goals. Immaculate form then and favourites for the title now in my opinion.

Score prediction: Spectacle of the season 4-4.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*