ACTION resumes in the EFL Championship this weekend following the international break interlude.
One team holds a 100 percent record thereby confounding Championship betting patterns. Meanwhile three further clubs remain unbeaten. Alternatively, five sides are winless.
Here are the upcoming pairings I am anticipating most alongside considered score predictions to guide your football betting.
Friday 12th September 2025
Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
Kick-off: 8pm
Rankings: 20th versus 24th
Ipswich Town preview – The two biggest underachievers so far lock horns in Championship combat. Both teams are lacking a victory. The Tractor Boys have mustered three draws after relegation from the Premier League but yet to win across five games in all competitions.
Sheffield United preview – Rock bottom and pointless reflecting five straight defeats in League and Cup. Dismal! Just one Championship goal scored too which was by Tyrese Campbell on the opening day five weeks ago. The appointment of Rubén Sellés in their managerial hot-seat on 18th June is not working out well. He already features heavily in second tier sack race odds and I think his departure is increasingly imminent.
Score prediction: Tractor Boys turn it on 3-0.
Saturday 13th September 2025
Preston North End v Middlesbrough
Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 9th versus 1st
Preston North End preview – A decent start before suffering their first defeat last time out going down 1-0 at Portsmouth. Home form is good bringing victories over pre-season promotion favourites Leicester City and Ipswich Town.
Middlesbrough preview – Top dogs courtesy of a 100 percent return and merely one goal conceded. The summer unveiling of new head coach Rob Edwards on 24th June is turning out to be a big hit on Teesside. He has masterminded Boro’s best start to a League campaign in 31 year dating to 1994/95. They clinched promotion to the top flight as champions that year under boss Bryan Robson.
Score prediction: Honours even in a “Desmond” 2-2.
West Bromwich Albion v Derby County
Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 2nd versus 21st
West Bromwich Albion preview – Albion lie two points off the top on three wins and a draw. They’ve already met imminent opponents Derby County in a League Cup encounter at The Hawthorns on Tuesday 12th August. It finished 1-1 prior to the Rams triumphing 3-2 on penalties.
Derby County preview – No wins in Championship endeavours hovering precariously above the drop zone on two points having drawn their last two fixtures.
Score prediction: Albion in the ascendency 3-1.
Stoke City v Birmingham City
Kick-off: 3pm
Rankings: 3rd versus 10th
Stoke City preview – Knocked off pole position by narrowly losing 1-0 against visitors West Bromwich Albion in their most recent engagement. That made it two consecutive home losses in light of bowing out of the League Cup 3-0 at the hands of Bradford City.
Birmingham City preview – Seven points is encouraging for newly promoted Blues. Although they are currently nursing two successive defeats in League Cup and Championship duties versus Port Vale and Leicester City respectively.
Score prediction: Nothing to see here 0-0.
Oxford United v Leicester City
Kick-off: 12.30pm
Rankings: 22nd versus 4th
Oxford United preview – U’s boss Gary Rowett faces a club he played for as a defender between 2000 and 2002. He will want to improve on the single point accrued by Oxford United to date.
Leicester City preview – Two back to back victories registering clean sheets suggest new manager boss Martí Cifuentes is beginning to make his mark. The Foxes signed free agent ex-Real Betis goalkeeper Fran Vieites on a two year contract this week.
Score prediction: Oxford United up and running 2-1.
Sunday 14th September 2025
Southampton v Portsmouth
Kick-off: 12 noon
Rankings: 13th versus 8th (before the weekend)
Southampton preview – Two arch rivals based less than 20 miles apart along the South Coast via the M27 motorway. They meet for the first time in League affairs since Saturday 7th April 2012. Freshly relegated Southampton are on three Championship games without victory beyond edging Wrexham 2-1 at St Mary’s in their initial 2025/ 26 fixture.
Portsmouth preview – A point below Play-Off discussions. Tight defensively so only three Championship goals leaked.
Score prediction: Saints go marchin’ in 1-0.
