Championship Predictions New Year’s Day – Thursday 1st January 2026

A VERY happy New Year to all EFL Championship aficionados approaching the first set of fixtures for 2026.

Both of the top two teams suffered surprise home defeats on Monday night. Those results have prompted a renewed frenzy of Championship betting. Quite simply it is such a delightfully inconsistent division!

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

Charlton Athletic v Coventry City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 20th versus 1st

Charlton Athletic preview – Early season promise brought a flirtation with the Play-off rungs. However, Charlton now hover five points above relegation danger. One win in nine outings incorporating seven defeats.

Coventry City preview – Boasting an eight point cushion despite just two victories across six attempts. But significantly 10 points clear of third place. In addition, the Sky Blues are divisional foremost scorers racking up 54 goals.

Score prediction: Charlton upset the apple cart 2-1.

Derby County v Middlesbrough

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 14th versus 2nd

Derby County preview – One win during seven encounters yet still six points from Play-off contention. Home fortunes for 2025/26 need to improve reflecting three victories, five draws and four reverses.

Middlesbrough preview – Two defeats inside a three match winless run without scoring. So eight points behind pole position. Their advantage over the chasing Play-Off pack has been cut to two points.

Score prediction: Grim 0-0.

Ipswich Town v Oxford United

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

Ipswich Town preview – Two points below automatic promotion discussions following Monday’s excellent 2-0 triumph at leaders Coventry City.

Therefore four wins amid six engagements for the upwardly mobile Tractor Boys and only one defeat in that time. The sole home loss throughout 2025/26 was 3-0 against Charlton Athletic on Tuesday 21st October.

Oxford United preview – Three points adrift of safety. The U’s sacked boss Gary Rowett two days before Christmas. Accordingly, Craig Short assumed temporary charge subsequently recording a win and a defeat.

Their last away success came on Saturday 25th October, 2-1 at Sheffield Wednesday. Short has unequivocally ruled himself out of applying for the permanent job.

Score prediction: Tractor Boys tremendous 4-0.

Hull City v Stoke City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 4th versus 10th

Hull City preview – Four wins peppering a five match unconquered spree including Monday’s impressive 1-0 maximum pointer at Middlesbrough. The Tigers sit two points under second place.

Stoke City preview – Four points short of the Play-Off area. Seven defeats accrued in 10 League affairs which featured only two victories.

Their previous road trip win arrived 3-0 at Oxford United on Tuesday 4th November.

Score prediction: Tigers terrific 3-1.

Southampton v Millwall

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 13th versus 5th

Southampton preview – Nursing a four match streak bereft of winning. Competent on St Mary’s Stadium turf though where they’ve merely lost twice all campaign. Saints striker Adam Armstrong is the Championship’s highest scorer amassing 11 goals.

Millwall preview – Monday’s 2-1 home scoreline past Bristol City cemented a first victory in five games. The Lions are four points beneath automatic promotion reckoning. Curiously, Millwall hold a minus five goal difference in fifth spot!

Score prediction: Lions lucid 1-0.

Watford v Birmingham City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 6th versus 15th

Watford preview – Suddenly elevated into the Play-Off region thanks to six games unbeaten culminating in three straight victories. Their solitary home defeat of the season was 1-0 against Blackburn Rovers back on Saturday 13th September.

Birmingham City preview – Sliding down the table due to six matches lacking wins. Blues haven’t won away since a single goal outcome at Preston North End on Tuesday 21st October.

Score prediction: Uproarious 3-3.

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