Championship 2026/27 Opta Stats: Best bets for Matchday 1

Wolverhampton Wanderers v Blackburn - Back Rovers to spoil Wolves' new era

Friday 14 August, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports

The Opta Stat: Blackburn Rovers have lost just one of their last nine away league games against Wolverhampton Wanderers (W2 D6), with their last two visits to Molineux both finishing 0-0 (April 2016 and April 2017).

Preston v Bolton - Back Trotters to make winning return

Saturday 15 August, 12:30, Live on Sky Sports

The Opta Stat: Only Sheffield Wednesday (18) have lost more EFL Championship games in 2026 than Preston (11); the Lilywhites finished last season losing seven of their final 12 games (W3 D2).

The Bet: Back Bolton and BTTS @ 7/24.50

Bristol City v Millwall - Back the Lions

Saturday 15 August, 15:00

The Opta Stat: Millwall earned more points away from home than any other side in the EFL Championship last season (41 - W11 D8 L4), with the Lions unbeaten in their last nine league trips since a 2-1 defeat at Coventry in January (W6 D3).

The Bet: Back Millwall @ 9/52.80

Charlton v Derby - Back the draw

Saturday 15 August, 15:00

The Opta Stat: Charlton lost five of their final eight league games last season (W1 D2), while only Derby lost six of their final eight away games last season (W2), though did their most recent match at QPR in April (3-2).

The Bet: Back the Draw @ 12/53.40

Middlesbrough v Lincoln City - Back Boro to win to nil

Saturday 15 August, 15:00

The Opta Stat: Lincoln City have won just one of their 10 previous Football League visits to Middlesbrough (D3 L6); a 2-1 victory in March 1959 in the second tier under Bill Anderson.

The Bet: Back Middlesbrough to win to nil @ 1/12.00

Norwich v West Brom - Back Canaries to take off in style

Saturday 15 August, 15:00

The Opta Stat: No side has won more points in the Championship in 2026 than Norwich (44 - W14 D2 L6), while they've only lost two of their last 10 league games at Carrow Road (W6 D2).

Portsmouth v QPR - Back Pompey to pick up where they left off

Saturday 15 August, 15:00

The Opta Stat: Portsmouth finished last season losing just one of their final eight league games (W4 D3); only Southampton (17) earned more points in Championship since the beginning of April than Pompey (15). QPR lost their final four league games last season; they haven't lost five in a row since October 2023 (a run of six).

The Bet: Back Portsmouth @ 23/202.15

Stoke City v Swansea - Back Swans to avoid defeat

Saturday 15 August, 15:00

The Opta Stat: Swansea City beat Stoke City in their last league meeting 2-0 in March; last winning consecutive games against the Potters in the 2020-21 Championship campaign.

The Bet: Back Swansea Double Chance and Under 2.5 goals @ 7/52.40

Sheff Utd v Birmingham - Back visitors' comeback win

Saturday 15 August, 17:30, Live on Sky Sports

The Opta Stat: Only Leicester City (32) dropped more points from winning positions in the EFL Championship last season than Sheffield United (29), while the Blades lost five of their final nine matches at Bramall Lane last term (W2 D2).

Watford v Southampton - Back Saints to sink Hornets

Sunday 16 August, 13:30, Live on Sky Sports

The Opta Stat:

Watford lost their final five Championship games last season by an aggregate score of 1-16. Southampton ended last season unbeaten in their final 19 league games (W14 D5).

The Bet: Back Southampton @ 11/102.11

Burnley v West Ham - Back Hammers to cover handicap

Sunday 16 August, 16:00, Live on Sky Sports

The Opta Stat:

West Ham United have won on three of their last four league visits to Burnley (D1), including a 2-0 victory in the Premier League last season, one of only four away victories.

The Bet: Back West Ham -1 @ 7/24.50

Cardiff v Wrexham - Back Bluebirds to win lively Welsh battle

Monday 17 August, 20:00, Live on Sky Sports

The Opta Stat:

Cardiff won 17 of their 23 home games in EFL League One last season (D2 L4), including wins in each of their final three matches. Wrexham finished seventh last season, winning just two of their final seven games (D2 L3);

The Bet: Back Cardiff and BTTS @ 3/14.00

Now read the Championship Ultimate Guide 2026/27