Championship Predictions - Week 2

James Mason
Spotlight
Michael Carrick has seen his Middlesbrough side start the season positively
Michael Carrick has seen his Middlesbrough side start the season positively

- Early pacesetters Sheffield Wednesday travel to Sunderland
- Luton go in search of first win at Portsmouth
- Leeds face tricky trip to West Brom

The 2024-25 Championship season heads into the second round of fixtures this weekend, starting with Oxford's trip to Coventry on Friday night.

We run down through all 12 games and have a score prediction for each.

Coventry vs Oxford (Friday, 8pm)

Coventry were edged out 1-0 at Stoke on the opening weekend and they now face a difficult home clash against Oxford, who beat Norwich 2-0 before overcoming Peterborough by the same scoreline in the EFL Cup.

Score prediction: Coventry 0-1 Oxford

Derby vs Middlesbrough (Saturday, 12.30)

Derby's return to the Championship began with a 4-2 loss at Blackburn and although they bounced back with a 2-1 EFL Cup win over Chesterfield, next opponents Middlesbrough present a tougher challenge.

Boro edged out Swansea 1-0 in the league before thumping Leeds 3-0 at Elland Road in the cup and Michael Carrick's men have started the campaign in red-hot form.

Score prediction: Derby 0-2 Middlesbrough

Portsmouth vs Luton (Saturday, 12.30)

Both Portsmouth and Luton have made inauspicious starts to the season, with Pompey drawing 3-3 against Leeds and the Hatters suffering a heavy 4-1 defeat at home to Burnley.

Score prediction: Portsmouth 2-2 Luton

West Brom vs Leeds (Saturday, 12.30)

Leeds look set to lose another key player in Georginio Rutter and that will only add to the problems for Daniel Farke, who has seen his side draw their opener before exiting the EFL Cup.

West Brom had a strong home record last season and they will be hoping to build from the opening-day victory over QPR.

Score prediction: West Brom 2-1 Leeds

Bristol City vs Millwall (Saturday, 3pm)

Bristol City are yet to get going this season, drawing at Hull before losing in the EFL Cup to Coventry, and they may find life tough against a Millwall side that were narrowly edged out 3-2 by Watford before knocking Portsmouth out of the cup.

Score prediction: Bristol City 1-2 Millwall

Burnley vs Cardiff (Saturday, 3pm)

Scott Parker has enjoyed a fast start to the season with Burnley
Scott Parker has enjoyed a fast start to the season with Burnley

Burnley showcased their title credentials when thrashing Luton 4-1 at Kenilworth Road and they should have too much for a Cardiff side that lost 2-0 at home to Sunderland in their opener.

Score prediction: Burnley 3-0 Cardiff

Norwich vs Blackburn (Saturday, 3pm)

Blackburn have scored 10 goals in their first two matches, beating Derby 4-2 in the league and Stockport 6-1 in the EFL Cup, and that scoring prowess should help them against a Norwich team that have conceded five times from their two fixtures.

Score prediction: Norwich 1-3 Blackburn

Plymouth vs Hull (Saturday, 3pm)

Plymouth were woeful in their 4-0 loss to Sheffield Wednesday but they managed to hit back with a 3-0 cup success over Cheltenham, though the latter fielded a weakened side.

Hull are still looking to bring in reinforcements before the window closes and Saturday's meeting could turn out to be a tight affair lacking quality.

Score prediction: Plymouth 1-1 Hull

Sheffield United vs QPR (Saturday, 3pm)

Sheffield United have started off with 2-0 and 4-2 wins over Preston and Wrexham, in the league and cup respectively and they should keep the momentum going against a QPR side that lost 3-1 to West Brom in their opening fixture.

Score prediction: Sheffield 2-0 QPR

Swansea vs Preston (Saturday, 3pm)

Swansea bounced back from the 1-0 loss to Boro with an EFL Cup win over Gillingham and they can push forward in Saturday's home clash against Preston, who are in disarray after sacking manager Ryan Lowe after just one match.

Score prediction: Swansea 2-0 Preston

Watford vs Stoke (Saturday, 3pm)

Watford have been in fine scoring form, hitting three past Millwall in a 3-2 triumph before beating MK Dons 5-0 in the EFL Cup, but they face a tough test against a Stoke side that have kept back-to-back clean sheets to start the season.

Score prediction: Watford 1-1 Stoke

Sunderland vs Sheffield Wednesday (Sunday, 12:00)

Sheffield Wednesday thumped Plymouth 4-0 in their opening match before overcoming Hull 2-1 in the EFL Cup and there is a real belief the club could challenge for promotion.

Sunderland recorded a solid 2-0 win at Cardiff in their opener, only to be dumped out of the cup by Preston and the Black Cats' inconsistency could hurt them in this one.

Score prediction: Sunderland 1-2 Sheffield Wednesday

Tags

ChampionshipCoventryOxfordDerby CountyMiddlesbroughPortsmouthLuton TownWest BromwichLeeds UnitedBristol CityMillwallBurnleyCardiff CityNorwich CityBlackburnPlymouthHullSheffield UnitedQueens Park RangersSwanseaPrestonWatfordStokeSunderlandSheffield Wednesday