EFL CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING PREVIEW
We have 12 midweek Championship fixtures, and
Championship tipster
Louie Truman has his Championship best bets and predictions along with
Championship betting odds.
OXFORD VS IPSWICH
Oxford host Ipswich in Friday’s Championship fixture at the Kassam Stadium. The U’s come into this fixture on the back of two draws against Middlesbrough and Norwich, which puts Gary Rowett’s side into the relegation places. Ipswich head to Oxford United on Friday in much better form. The Tractor Boys have taken four wins from their last six matches, moving up to fifth in the table. They’re now just three points off second-place Stoke City and still have a game in hand.
Betting Tip: Ipswich Win – 4/7 –
Spreadex
LEICESTER VS SHEFFIELD UTD
Leicester will be eager to respond after their setback against Southampton. Recent wins over Stoke and Norwich show they’ve got the spark, and with Winks and Skipp controlling midfield, they should create chances. Sheffield United come into this fixture on the back of two 3-0 wins against Sheffield Wednesday and Portsmouth. This should give the Blades confidence, momentum, and it shows Chris Wilder’s side can score goals when on the attack and be defensively solid, due to keeping back-to-back clean sheets.
Betting Tip: Both Teams To Score – 3/4 –
PricedUp
PORTSMOUTH VS BRISTOL CITY
Portsmouth managed to return from the international break in good form with a 3-1 win against Millwall, which ended a six-game run without a win. However, Pompey lost 3-0 to Sheffield Utd in their recent outing, which was disappointing. John Mousinho’s side will be looking to bounce back against Bristol City; they’ll have the home advantage at Fratton Park. Despite a strong away record earlier in the season, Bristol City are now three games without a win following a loss against Wrexham in their recent outing. The Robins also lost 5-1 away to Bristol City during the current campaign, which shows they’re defensive vulnerabilities. Gerhard Struber’s side has consequently slipped to seventh in the table, after beginning the campaign with a much better record on the road.
Betting Tip: Under 2.5 Goals – 7/10 –
BetMGM
STOKE VS HULL
Stoke have been solid at home, claiming wins in five of their eight league games at the bet365 Stadium. However, they’ve struggled against Hull recently, going winless in their last three home meetings with the Tigers. Hull City’s recent form has been inconsistent. Wins over Portsmouth and Norwich highlighted their attacking quality, but defeats to Ipswich and QPR have exposed ongoing defensive vulnerabilities.
Betting Tip: Both Teams To Score – 8/11 –
Betway
COVENTRY VS CHARLTON
Coventry City host Charlton Athletic at the Coventry Building Society Arena on Saturday, aiming to strengthen their lead at the top of the Championship. Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues currently lead the table with 40 points from 16 matches. His side has won their last four, which includes an impressive 4-2 away win against Middlesbrough last Tuesday. Charlton are currently 16th with 23 points. The Addicks had an excellent start after promotion from League One last season, but Nathan Jones’ side has dropped off in recent games. They were beaten 5-1 by Southampton at home last Saturday, despite being defensively solid during the start of the campaign. They have won only two of their last eight games and conceded three or more goals in four of their six recent away trips.
Betting Tip: Coventry Win – 2/5 –
QuickBet
MIDDLESBROUGH VS DERBY
Middlesbrough hosts Derby, which should be an entertaining fixture. Under the new head coach, Kim Hellberg, Boro lost 4-2 at home against Coventry. The Sky Blues took a 2-0 lead in this fixture, but Middlesbrough managed to get it back to 2-2, and unfortunately, conceded two late on. John Eustace’s Derby won 2-1 last time out at Swansea. Goal scorers were Joe Ward and Jorgen Salvesen.
Betting Tip: Both Teams To Score – EVS –
Spreadex
MILLWALL VS SOUTHAMPTON
Millwall have dropped off slightly in recent outings; the Lions have only managed one win in their last five, and this win came against Sheffield Wednesday. It was a narrow 1-0 win against the Owls, who are currently in turmoil, so this result is unlikely to ease the worries that have built up over the past month for Millwall. On the other hand, Southampton are currently flying with four wins from their last four. In their last two, the Saints beat Charlton at the Valley 5-1, and they also put three past Leicester. Southampton have transformed under academy manager Tonda Eckert, who has taken charge of the first team and doubled their season’s goal tally in just three weeks.
Betting Tip: Southampton Win – 5/4 –
QuickBet
NORWICH VS QPR
Recent performances suggest Norwich is a team putting in effort but falling short on the scoreboard. A 1-1 draw with Oxford highlighted their difficulty in capitalising on strong periods of play, while a heavy 4-1 defeat at Birmingham exposed their weaknesses at the back, especially on the road. QPR arrive with momentum on their side. Their narrow 1-0 win at Blackburn highlighted their composure under pressure and defensive discipline. At home, a thrilling 3-2 win against Hull City showcased the attacking fluency they can show when the team clicks in the final third.
Betting Tip: Draw – 12/5 –
Betway
SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY VS PRESTON
Sheffield Wednesday’s season has been disastrous. Bottom of the table with just one win and a 12-point deduction, they sit 20 points from safety after seven defeats in nine games. At the back, Wednesday have been leaky, letting in goals in each of their last 20 home games and in 28 of their last 30 Championship matches. Preston North End come to Hillsborough in fifth place, firmly in the Championship playoff mix. Their seven wins, six draws, and four defeats highlight a solid campaign.
Betting Tip: Preston To Win 1st Half – 15/8 –
PricedUp
WEST BROM VS SWANSEA
During their last outing, West Brom missed chances as they drew with Midlands rivals Birmingham at The Hawthorns, letting a winning position slip. Albion have lost their last five away games, but their slim top-six hopes remain intact thanks to a solid five-match unbeaten run at home, where they haven’t been beaten since mid-September. Swansea City risk ending the second-to-last month of the year without a win after Tuesday’s fourth straight league defeat — their worst run since early February.
Betting Tip: West Brom Win – 22/25 –
BetMGM
WREXHAM VS BLACKBURN
Wrexham are currently 10th with six wins, seven draws and four losses. They’ve secured eleven points from their last five, which puts them just two points away from the play-off places. Wrexham will aim for another solid defensive performance in their first league meeting with Blackburn since 1982, having lost 4–1 to Rovers in the FA Cup last January. Rovers have looked good in recent outings; they’ve managed three wins from their last five.
Betting Tip: Wrexham Win/Draw – 1/3 -
Spreadex
BIRMINGHAM VS WATFORD
This week’s championship fixtures conclude with Birmingham hosting Watford under the lights at St Andrew's. The Blues come into this fixture with excellent home form, having won their last three games at St Andrew’s. Watford have been inconsistent, but their draw with Preston showed they can still get results. Their away form hasn’t been great, though they still have enough attacking threat to trouble Birmingham’s defence.
Betting Tip: Both Teams To Score – 19/20 –
QuickBet
