Friday's Championship tips
West Ham vs QPR - Visitors to make it tough for the in-form hosts
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Friday, 20:00
West Ham hit form before the international break, although they did require a second-half comeback against their arch-rivals Millwall. At the London Stadium, Nuno's side have swatted aside Wrexham, Derby and Wolves, and odds of 1/21.50 suggest that they will make it four wins on the spin in front of their own fans.
They have looked a bit jittery at the back, with neither Max Kilman nor Morato covering themselves in glory.
QPR have been tough to beat this season and have been quietly impressive during the first part of the campaign. Glenn Kamara has been one of their standout players, and the midfielder was recalled early from the Finnish squad in preparation for this contest. At the back, Jimmy Dunne, Ronnie Edwards and Amadou Mbengue have looked solid, with Pierce Charles being an obvious upgrade on last season's goalkeeping department.
WHU should be able to continue their good run of form, but they are unlikely to get too many free gifts from the West Londoners. They may have to settle for a narrow success.
Back West Ham to win and Under 4.5 goals
Saturday's Championship tips
Charlton vs Bristol C - Robins to take at least a point back to Ashton Gate
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Saturday, 12:30
Charlton aren't easy opposition. The Addicks are rarely outmaneuvered and outmuscled, but they are currently winless in five and have failed to scored in each of their last two home matches. Nathan Jones' side have found the net just once since September 2nd, and that came in their 3-1 defeat at Cardiff. Although they've averaged just 0.75 goals per game at the Valley, they've also conceded just 0.25, and won't make it easy for the Robins.
Bristol City are far more entertaining to follow, particularly away from home. Despite being pummelled by Southampton, they have taken points off Birmingham, PNE and Burnley on their travels and they will feel relatively confident of leaving South London with something to show for their efforts.
The summer additions have hit the ground running with Rio Cardines slotting in seamlessly at right-back and providing six assists so far, five more than any other Bristol City player.
This is unlikely to be as high-scoring as their other away fixtures, but they should still take at least a point.
Back Bristol City Double Chance, Over 2.5 Cards, Under 3.5 Goals (Bet Builder)
Swansea vs Norwich - Decisive Swans to strike again
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Saturday, 12:30
Heading into the break, Swansea City were the surprise leaders of the Championship. The Welsh side have won all but one of their opening eight matches, and are unbeaten at this stadium. Burnley are the only team to have found the net here, and they've also shown plenty of resilience by twice coming from behind on the road to win at Lincoln and Stoke.
Norwich return from the international break with plenty of injury concerns. Their match against Bolton proved fairly costly, with Mo Toure picking up a shoulder injury and Kenny McLean 'popping his ankle'. There are also rumours of issues with Ben Chrisene, Kellen Fisher and Paris Maghoma, although these are unconfirmed.
The Canaries defence has been conceding too many goals, shipping eight in their last two matches. They are also yet to keep a clean sheet this season. Swansea should be able to capitalise on those issues.
Back Over 1.5 Swansea team goals
WBA vs Birmingham - Points shared at the Hawthorns
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Saturday, 12:30
West Brom are unbeaten at home since February 21st and James Morrison is yet to taste defeat at the Hawthorns. They went into the break on a negative note, losing 1-0 at Molineux, and they will be keen to put that loss behind them when they take on yet another Midlands rival on Saturday lunchtime.
Morrison has the Baggies extremely well-drilled and they are giving up just 0.88 xGA at home. Unfortunately, they have lost Nolan Galves for the remainder of the campaign, and the next few weeks are likely to test the depth of their squad, with the games set to come thick and fast.
Birmingham have also enjoyed a positive start to the season, yet they haven't been able to turn those draws into wins. They have had more stalemates (5) than any other team in the division, although just one of those games has been on the road. They have been much better away from St. Andrews this season, and they will make this competitive. Unlike last season, they are far tougher on their travels and this meeting could easily end all square for the third consecutive time.
Back Draw
Blackburn vs Cardiff - Shot-happy Cardiff to rattle Blackburn's defence
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Saturday, 15:00
Although they are scoring goals at Ewood Park, Blackburn are giving up far too many chances. Tony Mowbray's men have looked far too open and have conceded 2+ goals in three of their last four. They have a home xG of 1.50 and xGA of 1.64, which has led to some highly entertaining contests.
Their defensive issues have plagued them throughout the campaign, but they have been exacerbated by their current injury crisis, and Cardiff will be hoping to take full advantage of that.
Cardiff have had more shots and efforts on target than any other team in the division. They finally got off the mark prior to the international break, and although the time away has curtailed their momentum, they should be able to take something from this clash. Jack Moylan was heavily involved against Charlton, and is likely to cause problems for the Blackburn defence. They should enjoy this match-up stylistically, too.
Back Cardiff Draw No Bet
Bolton vs Stoke - Shot-happy Cardiff to rattle Blackburn's defence
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Saturday, 15:00
Stoke had a tremendous September, taking 13 points from a possible 15. Mark Robins' side managed to put their disappointing start behind them, and appear to have finally found their rhythm going forward. Although three of those victories have been at the 365, they went to Watford and collected maximum points and managed to hold on for a point at the Cardiff City Stadium.
They have notched in every single away game so far this season, and they are likely to create chances this weekend. Justin Devenny has been excellent, whereas Ethan Galbraith, who may have seemed a little overpriced to some, is beginning to repay his fee.
Bolton went into the break on a high, after beating Norwich at Carrow Road. Steven Schumacher's side will be hoping to make it three wins on the spin this weekend. Thierry Gale has been instrumental with three goals and one assist so far. With seven goals in their last three and a more attack-minded approach at home, the Trotters should be able to get on the scoresheet.
Back Over 2.5 Goals
Derby vs Wrexham - Moore joy for Keiffer
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Saturday, 15:00
Both of these managers desperately need a win. John Eustace's side haven't recorded a victory since the beginning of September, and have taken just a single point from a possible 12 at Pride Park. They haven't looked too bad going forward, yet it's their defence which has proven troublesome. They are still searching for their first clean sheet and have an average xGA of 1.74.
Defending corners and free-kicks has also been a bit of an issue for them with only Burnley, Bolton and Birmingham conceding more goals from set-piece situations.
Wrexham bounced back from their 6-0 drubbing with home success against Southampton. Although their form has been fine, the high expectations of this squad have resulted in Parky coming under a slight bit of pressure from a section of the fanbase.
The visitors have a deeper squad and far more firepower to call upon, if required. Parkinson is unlikely to change a winning XI, with Keiffer Moore likely to retain his place in the team. The towering Welshman could terrorise the Derby defence, who have shown ineptitude when it comes to dealing with both height and power. He looks likely to get his name on the scoresheet here.
Back Keiffer Moore - Anytime Goalscorer
Middlesbrough vs Wolves - Highly entertaining 90 minutes at the Riverside
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Saturday, 15:00
Middlesbrough are unbeaten in six, but they've drawn their last two. It hasn't been an easy run of games for Kim Hellberg's side with Norwich, QPR and Birmingham all proving relatively sturdy opposition, and the tricky fixtures continue this weekend with the visit of Wolves.
Boro look far more free-scoring than last season, helped by the pinpoint accuracy and clever positioning of Will Lankshear. They have averaged 2.11 xG at this venue, and there should be a decent atmosphere inside the stadium, following last weekend's Legacy match.
Wolves have managed to keep back-to-back clean sheets, but I don't think that their run of shutouts will continue this weekend. They've already conceded to Preston, Birmingham and West Ham and have an xGA on the road of 1.75.
Sheffield United barely threatened, whereas WBA were strangely passive at Molineux. Middlesbrough will be asking questions of the away defence throughout the 90 minutes.
Back Over 2.5 Goals and BTTS
Preston vs Millwall - Alexander to get back to basics with PNE
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Saturday, 15:00
Graham Alexander was appointed as the successor to Paul Heckingbottom at Deepdale last week, and he is tasked with turning around PNE's dreadful form. The former defender has worked wonders at Valley Parade, turning Bradford City into an incredibly efficient and stubborn opposition outfit. He may need time to turn things around in Lancashire, but he is likely to opt for a set-up which makes them harder to break down.
The Preston squad is far from perfect, but Alexander should be able to firm things up, plug gaps, and generally stop the bleeding. Millwall may just be arriving at the wrong time.
The Lions are winless in five of their last six, and although they still have plenty of injuries, players are slowly returning to the squad. Alex Neil will be keen to avoid defeat against his former employers and he will be pleased that his side are unbeaten against the Lilywhites in their last 12 encounters.
Nevertheless, a battle awaits them. PNE will defend solidly and try to nick a goal where possible. This is unlikely to be a classic.
Back Under 2.5 Goals
Sheffield United vs Lincoln - Imps to make life awkward for the Blades
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Saturday, 15:00
Sheffield United are struggling. They have lost three of their last four, either side of a fortuitous victory against Blackburn. They have never lost three consecutive home games under Chris Wilder, but this could be a stern test for the undercooked Blades.
They are conceding far too many goals, and despite showing some defensive improvements against Wolves and Stoke, they were unable to keep a clean sheet, collapsing in the closing stages of both matches.
Lincoln have won 11 of their last 14 away games, including each of their last three. The Imps are enjoying life in the Championship and have already taken points off Southampton, Bristol C and Blackburn. There are still some parts of their game that could be improved, yet they do not give up without a fight, and they are likely to grind down the struggling hosts.
It wouldn't be a surprise to see this one end level, but Lincoln will be the more confident of the pair.
Back Lincoln Draw No Bet
Watford vs Burnley - Defensive lapses galore at Vicarage Road
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Saturday, 15:00
Both of these sides simply cannot stop conceding goals. Watford have conceded 29 goals since April, and clean sheets have been hard to come by. It's also been noticeable that the goals have dried up for the Hornets, although they have netted in each of their last four home matches.
Alessio Dionisi has a reputation for playing attacking football, but his side have relied largely on individual pieces of brilliance.
Burnley have really struggled this season, conceding 17 goals so far. That's more than they shipped in the entire 2024-25 campaign. The fans feel disenfranchised, and Nicky Hayen is under significant pressure. Their away games have been tricky, with trips to the leaders Swansea, alongside in-form West Brom. This should be easier, and feels like a good opportunity to get off the mark.
Nevertheless, they are unlikely to keep a clean sheet.
Back BTTS and Over 2.5 Goals
Sunday's Championship tips
Southampton vs Portsmouth - Saints to finally triumph in the derby
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Sunday, 12:00
The last four Championship encounters between these rivals have ended all square. Portsmouth will be keen to end Saints' excellent run of home victories, but they could find it tough at St. Mary's.
John Mousinho's side have had a relatively straightforward start to the season, having faced two of the three newly promoted teams, as well as struggling duo Derby and Blackburn. This is arguably their toughest test so far.
Tonda Eckert has been given a suspended ban by the FA and is free to manage Southampton until the end of the current campaign. They have been free-scoring at home, although clean sheets have been hard to come by.
There doesn't tend to be much between these two teams, but I think Saints will edge this one, and Betfair have created an appealing bet builder for Sunday's encounter. The in-form Cyle Larin should play a pivotal role once again and BTTS should also land.
Back Cyle Larin to Score, BTTS and Southampton to Win (Popular Bet Builders)