IT is the much awaited return of EFL Championship action this weekend following elongated international break activities.
A huge London derby gets the ball rolling and there are two other appetising fixtures offering local bragging rights. Accordingly, football betting odds provide fascinating reading.
Here is my analysis of Saturday’s games I am looking forward to most alongside considered score predictions to assist your Championship betting…
Swansea City v Norwich City Prediction
- Kick-off: 12.30pm
- Rankings: 1st versus 17th
Swansea City preview – The surprise leaders enjoy a two point buffer. Swansea’s sole Championship loss so far was 3-1 at Southampton on Tuesday 8th September. Merely six goals conceded cements the Championship’s tightest defensive rearguard.
Norwich City preview – Three successive League and Cup defeats leaking an alarming 13 goals. It is the Canaries’ first match since the sad passing of significant shareholder Michael Wynn Jones at the age of 85.
Score prediction: Swans soaring 4-1.
West Bromwich Albion v Birmingham City Prediction
- Kick-off: 12.30pm
- Rankings: 5th versus 10th
West Bromwich Albion preview – Two clubs based six miles apart as the crow flies. West Brom’s 1-0 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out terminated their four match unconquered sequence.
The Baggies hover three points beneath top spot. Albion full-back Nolan Galves has been ruled out for the rest of the campaign after knee surgery.
Birmingham City preview – One victory across five attempts leaving Blues two points shy of Play-Off discussions.
Score prediction: Ferocious 4-4.
Middlesbrough v Wolverhampton Wanderers Prediction
- Kick-off: 3pm
- Rankings: 3rd versus 4th
Middlesbrough preview – Boasting a six match unbeaten spree culminating in two consecutive 2-2 draws. Interesting to note that Boro’s last three EFL fixtures delivered 15 goals (8 for, 7 against). They lie two points short of the summit.
Wolverhampton Wanderers preview – One point less than Saturday’s opponents. Wolves have won their past two Championship encounters by the same 1-0 margin.
Score prediction: Boro beaming 2-1.
Rest of the Championship score predictions for Saturday:
- Charlton Athletic v Bristol City: 1-1
- Blackburn Rovers v Cardiff City: 3-2
- Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City: 1-2
- Derby County v Wrexham: 0-2
- Preston North End v Millwall: 1-4
- Sheffield United v Lincoln City: 2-0
- Watford v Burnley: 0-0
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
