Burnley
Blackburn Rovers
Coventry City
Derby County
Leeds United
Luton Town
Middlesbrough
Millwall
Norwich City
Portsmouth
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield United
QPR
The new season is finally upon us, so the brightest minds at EFL Analysis have assembled to offer up their Championship score predictions for the first gameweek.
We’ve been looking forward to the Championship 2025/26 campaign to begin, and our countdown clock is nearly at its end.
Big-spenders Birmingham City will be looking to get the Championship off to a flying start when they host recently relegated Ipswich Town on Friday night.
A whole host of tantalising fixtures are lined up for Saturday, while Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday round out the weekend on Sunday afternoon.
Here, our very own Jakob Barnes, Callum Boyle, and Adam Elliott run the rule over all the upcoming games and share their expert opinions to deliver Championship score predictions for gameweek one.
Championship score predictions: Gameweek 1
Birmingham City vs Ipswich Town
What a game to kick off the new Championship season! While Ipswich Town drop down to the division and go into the campaign as hot favourites to win the league, Birmingham City have risen up from League One and are hungry to win another promotion immediately. Could this be a very early six-pointer?
The Blues will feel confident given their summer business, but there’s a lot to be said for consistency and Ipswich have done very little to rock the boat over the last few months. Birmingham are used to getting their own way after trouncing just about every team in the third tier, but Ipswich are a totally different proposition.
Home advantage will help Birmingham massively here, and I do think they’ll get something from the game. A score draw feels fair for both sides and they’ll probably both come away pretty happy to avoid defeat on the opening day.
Jakob’s score prediction: Birmingham City 1-1 Ipswich Town
Southampton vs Wrexham
Wrexham have been used to having everything go their own way for the past three seasons but this time, things will be different.
They’re no longer the big fish in a small pond and face arguably one of the toughest tests of the season. Despite the appointment of Will Still, I do think Southampton haven’t had much attention on them at all – maybe because they were so bad in the Premier League.
The Saints have a great squad and exciting young coach who will hope to bury the demons of the 2024/25 season and give Wrexham a reality check of what the Championship might be like for them this year.
Callum’s score prediction: Southampton 2-0 Wrexham
Coventry City vs Hull City
It’s been a very chaotic summer for Hull City, with a managerial change and a transfer ban. However, the Tigers have managed to bring in a few very strong signings and look to be in a much better place than they were just a few weeks ago.
Coventry’s summer couldn’t be more of a polar opposite to Hull, with hardly any new players coming in, very few meaningful departures, and Frank Lampard sticking around despite some speculation he would be tempted elsewhere.
The Sky Blues will have enough quality to see off Hull, who will still need some time to get their squad settled and working together. It’ll be a tight one, though, with Hull giving it a really good go.
Jakob’s score prediction: Coventry City 2-1 Hull City
Charlton Athletic vs Watford
Charlton’s return to the second tier could have been kinder but a home fixture against a new-look Watford side brimming with young stars will be a test for the experience of Nathan Jones, Macauley Gillesphey, Amari’i Bell, and co.
Can the raptor Rob Apter step up? Will Charlie Kelman’s League One goal bonanza translate up a level? Or will the team with the longest-named attack in the league spoil the party via Watford’s Nestoroy Irankunda and Luca Kjerrumgaard?
A lot of letters and a lot of thoughts, but opening day is all about getting on the board. You feel that both will be keen to do just that. So, with that in mind, I’m going for a feeling-each-other-out-in-front-of-the-Sky-cameras type of game on opening weekend. Not the most exciting of Championship score predictions… sorry!
Adam’s score prediction: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Watford
- READ MORE: EFL reveals free to watch fixtures in 2025/26 including Steel City derby and Birmingham City cup tie
West Brom vs Blackburn Rovers
West Brom are an interesting one this season. Ryan Mason is a newcomer to the full time management game and has made some solid signings. Aune Heggebo was prolific in Norway and looks the real deal.
Blackburn meanwhile have lost a number of key players from last season and the overall feeling around the club doesn’t seem to be positive. I have a feeling that the return to the Hawthorns won’t be a happy one for Valerien Ismael and that the Baggies are going to hit the ground running.
Callum’s score prediction: West Brom 3-1 Blackburn Rovers
Norwich City vs Millwall
Many believe Millwall can be one of the dark horses for promotion this season, and I don’t disagree. They came very close to the play-offs last season, and Alex Neil now has the benefit of having a full summer with his squad, adding some real quality along the way. Alfie Doughty, for one, is a brilliant signing.
However, Norwich City are right up there as one of my favourites for the Championship title this year. They’ve brought in Liam Manning who is an excellent coach who worked wonders on very little budget at Bristol City, and he’s now been given the full backing of the Carrow Road hierarchy.
I’m really excited to see these two sides do battle, and this is one of the toughest Championship score predictions of the opening round, but I think the home crowd will just be enough to see Norwich over the line and get them the three points.
Jakob’s score prediction: Norwich City 2-1 Millwall
Oxford United vs Portsmouth
The John Mousinho derby has been a regular fixture for both for some time now. With both sharing the same league for all but one season since 2012/13. That goes all the way down to League Two and all the way up to the Championship.
Last season, they were not far apart in terms of league standing once again. However, Portsmouth are unbeaten in the last seven meetings and Mousinho has managed five of those with two wins and three draws.
Both sides have made some impressive signings so far but Portsmouth’s attack has had far more time to gel and settle after two eye-catching loan arrivals for the U’s this week. Colby Bishop and Josh Murphy are difficult to keep quiet.
Adam’s score prediction: Oxford United 0-1 Portsmouth
Stoke City vs Derby County
Both sides were involved in the relegation battle last season and will have aspirations of finishing much higher.
Stoke have overpromised but underachieved since returning back to the Championship and for the first time, aren’t being fancied by many, but Mark Robins has proved that he can get the best out of sides who may not look as glamorous on paper.
I’m a really big fan of Jon Eustace and he has done some impressive business at Derby County that has even led to some people whispering the ‘P word’ around Pride Park. They’ll take a bit of time to fully gel and I think this will end up being a draw.
Callum’s score prediction: Stoke City 1-1 Derby County
Middlesbrough vs Swansea City
On the theme of settled teams, Middlesbrough still have loads to do against a Swansea City side who had a strong end to 2024/25 and have a stylish-looking midfield after the addition of Ethan Galbraith to add to Melker Widell and Goncalo Franco.
That being said, Middlesbrough still maintain serious firepower; can Rob Edwards get them clicking? It’s a very different set up at Boro in switching from Michael Carrick to the former Luton Town boss, with possession swapped for more pragmatism and a back four for a back five.
Both will have play-off aspirations but the Swans look far more ready here, with Boro still eyeing numerous deals between now and the end of the window. That could be decisive and a good time to be going away to The Riverside.
Adam’s score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Swansea City
QPR vs Preston North End
Can Julien Stephan handle Championship football with QPR? Can he also find a way for them to field Karamoko Dembele, Kwame Poku, and Ilias Chair in the same team? We like it, it sounds sexy in theory. But can it operate in practice?
Time will tell and those will be answered in the coming weeks but a usually sturdy Paul Heckingbottom Preston North End side will be a nice first test for Stephan and co. The vibes aren’t particularly vibesy at PNE and it could be the best time to play them already.
Both will be looking for better seasons in 2025/26 —and even with more unknowns being present for QPR, we still reckon this fun-looking side could get off to a flyer here.
Adam’s score prediction: QPR 3-1 Preston North End
Sheffield United vs Bristol City
A repeat of last season’s play-off semi-final, and it’ll likely be a very similar outcome, too. Both clubs have had a change of manager, but while Liam Manning is a big loss for Bristol City, swapping Chris Wilder for Ruben Selles might not be a bad trade for the Blades.
Sheffield United have looked impressive in pre-season and still have most of their key players that made Bristol City look awful in those play-off ties.
While Emil Riis could be key for Bristol City, it’s hard to imagine Sheffield United letting much past them, especially at Bramall Lane.
Jakob’s score prediction: Sheffield United 2-0 Bristol City
- READ MORE: The 10 best signings in the Championship this summer with one month of the transfer window to go
Leicester City vs Sheffield Wednesday
This game has been all about what’s gone on off the pitch as opposed to what’s on the pitch. Watching the events at Sheffield Wednesday unfold is a mixture of sadness and anger so it’s no surprise to hear that supporters plan to protest.
Things aren’t exactly rosy at Leicester either as there is also unrest between the fans and the owners but they’ve looked sharp under Marti Cifuentes in pre-season and you’d back them to be at the top of the table.
No points deduction for the Foxes so far and with a much superior squad compared to Wednesday’s paper thin team, there’s only one outcome.
Callum’s score prediction: Leicester City 3-0 Sheffield Wednesday
What the Championship table could look like after gameweek 1
Right then, let’s assume all of our Championship score predictions are correct (why wouldn’t they be?) and put together the very first league table of the new season.
Obviously, this means very little in the grand scheme of things. Some teams are able to boast a higher position simply down to the letter at the start of their names, and it’ll take a few weeks before we see some more serious movement in the league table. But, it’s fun to look anyway.
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Leicester City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | +3 | 3 |
| 2 | QPR | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 3 | West Brom | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 3 |
| 4 | Sheffield United | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 5 | Southampton | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | +2 | 3 |
| 6 | Coventry City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 7 | Norwich City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 8 | Swansea City | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | +1 | 3 |
| 9 | Portsmouth | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | +1 | 3 |
| 10 | Birmingham City | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 11 | Charlton Athletic | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 12 | Derby County | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 13 | Ipswich Town | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 14 | Stoke City | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 15 | Watford | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 16 | Oxford United | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 |
| 17 | Hull City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 18 | Middlesbrough | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 19 | Millwall | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | -1 | 0 |
| 20 | Bristol City | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 21 | Wrexham | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | -2 | 0 |
| 22 | Blackburn Rovers | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 23 | Preston North End | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | -2 | 0 |
| 24 | Sheffield Wednesday | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | -3 | 0 |
For Sheffield Wednesday fans, it may be worth getting used to sitting at the bottom of the table, as experts predict they’ll end up there anyway.
Meanwhile, Leicester City would be pretty happy to finish at the top of the league come the end of the season. If they avoid a points deduction, that wish may just come true.