Championship score predictions for gameweek 4 as Southampton serve up a classic and Stoke City march on

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We’re back again with our Championship score predictions for another week, as we look ahead to the round of fixtures before the dreaded international break.

Last weekend, the biggest story in the Championship was Coventry City’s record-breaking 7-1 win against QPR as Frank Lampard’s men kept up their unbeaten run.

There were wins for Middlesbrough and Stoke City, who maintained their 100% records to lead the way at the top of the table, while Sheffield United and Oxford United are still searching for their first point of the season.

It feels like this season is going to be yet another thrilling ride. But, sadly, there’s the international break coming up, which means we need to make the most of this set of Championship fixtures.

With that in mind, our experts Jakob Barnes, Callum Boyle, and Adam Elliott return to share their Championship score predictions for gameweek four.

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Championship score predictions: Gameweek 4

Leicester City vs Birmingham City

These two teams were supposed to be among the big-hitters this season, but while Birmingham quietly go about their business and fairly comfortably win games, it seems like a real slog for Leicester City to do the same.

Still, there’s not a lot between these two in terms of quality on the pitch, and it will all come down to the tactical approach from the managers. Chris Davies will be desperate to beat Leicester and prove his worth, and I think that desire and drive will be enough to level the playing field at the King Power Stadium.

Jakob’s score prediction: Leicester City 2-2 Birmingham City

Stoke City vs West Brom

This is a really good game to look at from a neutral perspective. Nobody would’ve had Stoke City topping the table after three games but this is what Mark Robins does; he turns underdogs into challengers.

West Brom have looked steady too, but with Ryan Mason serving a touchline ban after his sending off last weekend, I think it’s going to be the home side that come away with the win.

Callum’s score prediction: Stoke City 2-0 West Brom

QPR vs Charlton Athletic

Charlton will be absolutely delighted with their start to the season after four points in the first two games and a fantastic performance against Leicester City. By contrast, QPR have not had a strong campaign.

The three Monday additions for QPR have gone some way to moving past the 7-1 nightmare last weekend. Still, tough to call a derby like this.

Adam’s score prediction: QPR 1-1 Charlton Athletic

Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United

If you’d have told me at the start of the season that one of these teams would have a 100% record and the other wouldn’t have a single point on the board, I’d have been backing the Blades to come out on top. How wrong I would have been.

Middlesbrough have looked fantastic under Rob Edwards. Sheffield United, meanwhile, have looked utterly clueless under Ruben Selles. I do expect that to turn around at some point, but that won’t be this weekend.

Jakob’s score prediction: Middlesbrough 1-0 Sheffield United

Oxford United vs Coventry City

Wow, wow, wow. That’s all I have to say about Coventry’s win against QPR last weekend. Frank Lampard’s side have licked their wounds from that play-off final exit last season and started as they mean to go on.

They face an Oxford side now who are finding it difficult and experiencing a case of second season syndrome. Coventry won’t stick seven past them, but I can see it being comfortable.

Callum’s score prediction: Oxford United 1-3 Coventry City

Bristol City vs Hull City

Bristol City will be frustrated at their efforts over the last two games, having come away with solitary points that could have been all three quite easily. Hull City need a pick-me-up from last weekend, too.

The home side were fantastic at Ashton Gate last season — and there’s no reason to think they won’t be again this year.

Adam’s score prediction: Bristol City 3-1 Hull City

Ipswich Town vs Derby County

I think everyone expected a lot better from Ipswich Town this season, and they’ve been a million miles off it so far. The Tractor Boys look disjointed and completely devoid of ideas and creativity in the final third, and Kieran McKenna needs to get that sorted immediately.

Derby County, meanwhile, would have wanted to do better after heavy recruitment this summer, but I guess it takes time to gel those new players together. I think we’ll see two teams that are far from perfect here, and neither will be capable of getting over the line for a win.

Jakob’s score prediction: Ipswich Town 1-1 Derby County

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Sheffield Wednesday vs Swansea City

Wednesday did really well to fight back against Wrexham and get a point, especially coming up against a side they will feel they are competing with in the lower levels of the Championship.

Swansea have been okay but Alan Sheehan would’ve hoped for better after getting the job on a permanent basis. The ongoing boycotts and protests will make for an interesting atmosphere at Hillsborough again and I think it’s the visitors who will edge this one out.

Callum’s score prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 0-1 Swansea City

Millwall vs Wrexham

Two of the busier and more ambitious teams in the transfer market go head-to-head at The Den, with neither able to get off to the perfect start they would have liked. The Lions have designs on promotion and Wrexham have not transitioned as well as they would have hoped to life in the second tier.

Can Millwall compound that misery and put the 3-0 defeat to Middlesbrough behind them at home to make it 9 points from 12? I think so.

Adam’s score prediction: Millwall 2-0 Wrexham

Blackburn Rovers vs Norwich City

Of all my games in these Championship score predictions this week, this feels like the most difficult to call. Simply put, these are two teams that I just cannot work out and they offer very little in the way of consistent results to rely on. So, what I’m going to do is lean on the history books, and back Norwich City to continue their nice run at Ewood Park.

Liam Manning’s side have been, frankly, a shambles so far this season, but that will change, I’m sure. Blackburn, meanwhile, are fairly solid, and looked great last weekend against Hull. I just feel like Norwich need a big reaction after their last two defeats, and Rovers will suffer for that.

Jakob’s score prediction: Blackburn Rovers 1-2 Norwich City.

Portsmouth vs Preston North End

A difficult one to call, this. John Mousinho is an excellent manager and this season they have had a wide range of results, but ones you’d have expected. Preston were tipped to go down by many, including myself, but have already beaten Leicester and Ipswich at home.

Paul Heckingbottom is doing wonders but here, they will probably be expected to be on the front foot a bit more. Not much to separate the two and I’m going for a draw.

Callum’s score prediction: Portsmouth 1-1 Preston North End

Watford vs Southampton

Two of the most interesting teams in the division, in my mind, currently. Southampton have shown signs of promise but Stoke City proved Will Still will not find the division a cakewalk this season.

Watford, meanwhile, have had a strange start in terms of results and overall performances. Another share of the spoils here? Or will there be a winner? A classic, perhaps. Fingers crossed!

Adam’s score prediction: Watford 2-3 Southampton

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Could this end up being the most unpredictable Championship season ever?

Putting together these Championship score predictions is difficult, to say the least. But, that’s the beauty of the second tier; anyone can beat anyone in this crazy league!

Before the season even began, we had a feeling this could be the best Championship campaign to date. With old rivalries rekindled, big teams dropping down and coming up, and very little to separate most of the sides, it’s thrilling to watch it all unfold.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	Stoke CityStoke City	3	3	0	0	8	2	6	9
2	MiddlesbroughMiddlesbrough	3	3	0	0	6	1	5	9
3	CoventryCoventry	3	2	1	0	12	4	8	7
4	West BromWest Brom	3	2	1	0	5	3	2	7
5	BirminghamBirmingham	3	2	1	0	4	2	2	7
6	PrestonPreston	3	2	1	0	4	2	2	7

I mean, just look at that top six right now. Stoke haven’t finished in the top half in forever, Middlesbrough were written off before a ball was kicked, and Preston North End were widely tipped for relegation. There’s a long way to go, but isn’t it nice to see different names up there?

At this moment in time, there’s no guarantee that any of the teams with parachute payments will land in the promotion spots. Like Sunderland last season, we’d love to see a wild card sneak in there and make it to the promised land this year.