Championship Predictions & Betting Tips – Saturday 9th August 2025

Tony Incenzo previews the biggest EFL Championship fixtures on the opening Saturday of the 2025/26 season.

EXCITEMENT abounds as our pulsating EFL Championship commences once again this weekend offering matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Championship betting for the 2025/26 title winners will focus heavily on freshly relegated clubs Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City due to massive parachute payments.

But newly promoted duo Birmingham City and Wrexham have significantly injected big money into their playing squads too. And there are a number of managerial changes to digest.

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

Southampton vs Wrexham

Punters can bet on Southampton v Wrexham at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:

• Southampton – 8/11
• Draw – 13/5
• Wrexham – 15/4

Southampton – A disappointing rock bottom of the Premier League registered last season – some 26 points short of safety. New boss Will Still was appointed on 25th May having previously overseen French Ligue 1 team RC Lens.

At 32 years old, he is the Championship’s youngest manager. Firepower will be bolstered through striker Damion Downs penning a £7 million deal from Cologne.

Wrexham – The so-called “Hollywood club” reflect on three successive promotions across a trio of glorious campaigns starting at National League level.

As the present League One runners-up, Wrexham therefore return to the second tier of English football for the first time in 43 years. Good quality Championship experience has been added in Ryan Hardie, Josh Windass, Lewis O’Brien and Conor Coady.

Southampton v Wrexham score prediction: Thrill a minute 3-3.

Coventry City vs Hull City

Punters can bet on Coventry v Hull at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:

• Coventry – 3/4
• Draw – 5/2
• Hull – 7/2

Coventry City – A fifth placed conclusion last time out led to Play-Off participation. The Sky Blues surrendered 3-2 on aggregate versus Sunderland over two legs.

Their biggest move of the summer was splashing £3.5 million on Aston Villa defender Kaine Kesler-Hayden.

Hull City – The Tigers were fourth bottom in 2024/25 merely avoiding relegation on goal difference. Survival was sealed amidst a 1-1 draw at Portsmouth on the final day.

Sergej Jakirović became head coach on 11th June. This followed a sacking for Rubén Sellés the preceding month. They’ve paid £3 million for midfielder Gustavo Puerta from Bayer Leverkusen.

Coventry v Hull score prediction: Tantalising Tigers 2-1.

West Bromwich Albion vs Blackburn Rovers

Punters can bet on West Brom v Blackburn at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:

• West Brom – 17/20
• Draw – 23/10
• Blackburn – 17/5

West Bromwich Albion – Looking to improve the ninth ranking last season.

On 2nd June, Ryan Mason was installed as first team head coach. He quickly forked out £4.75 million for SK Brann Bergen forward Aune Heggebo.

Blackburn Rovers – Missed out on Play-Off qualification by two points in seventh position. Rovers were unbeaten in their final six outings incorporating four maximum pointers.

I’ll be expecting a positive impact from £1.7 million midfield man Sidnei Tavares in light of his July transfer from Moreirense.

West Brom v Blackburn score prediction: Tight and tense 1-1.

Sheffield United vs Bristol City

Punters can bet on Sheffield United v Bristol City at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:

• Sheffield United – 3/4
• Draw – 13/5
• Bristol City – 18/5

Sheffield United – The Blades’ 2024/25 EFL Championship campaign culminated in third spot on 90 points. They were subsequently beaten 2-1 by Sunderland in the Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium despite leading with 15 minutes to go.

Chris Wilder bowed out as manager on 18th June. Rubén Sellés was his immediate successor. I’m expecting plenty of goals supplied via Aston Villa loan striker Louie Barry.

Bristol City – Sixth place was recorded in the EFL Championship prior to Play-Off Semi-Final devastation losing 6-0 on aggregate over two legs to Saturday’s imminent opponents Sheffield United. Furthermore, Bristol City unveiled new head coach Gerhard Struber on 19th June replacing Liam Manning who has gone to Norwich City.

Pick of the signings at Ashton Gate is forward Emil Riis from Preston North End where he scored 12 times last season at this level.

Sheffield United v Bristol City score prediction: Blades too sharp 2-0.

Read More on the EFL Championship ahead of the 2025/26 season:

• Championship Outright Winner Predictions
• Championship Top Goal Scorer Predictions
• Championship Relegation Predictions
• Wrexham Promotion Chances in 2025/26

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