Championship Predictions & Betting Tips This Weekend

Football League expert @TonyIncenzo gives his best bets and Championship predictions ahead of a huge round of fixtures in the Football League...

THERE is everything to play for as we approach our EFL Championship Play-Off Semi-Final Second Leg ties this week.

Two very tense First Leg encounters finished level on Sunday. In fact, no goals were scored to totally defy betting odds.

Accordingly ultimate glory remains in the balance reflecting high stakes for finances and prestige. Putting matters into context, the eventual 2024 Play-Off winners will earn a minimum of £150 million even if they slumber rock bottom of the Premier League table next year.

Here is my comprehensive preview alongside considered score predictions to assist your Championship betting plans…

Leeds United v Norwich City

Thursday 16th May 2024, Kick-off 8pm
Score prediction: Leeds nick it 1-0.

LEEDS TO NICK IT

Leeds United v Norwich City

Correct Score - 1:0

11/2

BET HERE

*Odds subject to change. Max stakes applies. T&C apply.

First Leg Review

The blank scoresheet was a justified outcome since this contest was severely lacking in goalscoring opportunities.

Josh Sargent went closest for Norwich City heading wide of the post when nicely placed. Meanwhile, Leeds United’s Crysencio Summerville provided their best moment being denied by goalkeeper Angus Gunn.

Quotes

Norwich head coach David Wagner said: “I felt my lads worked hard, starting out on the front foot to harness our crowd right behind us. The players were focussed and concentrated.

“The two teams cancelled each other out though. Therefore I can live with drawing the First Leg and it is still entirely game on where the cards stay firmly on the table! We will go for it.”

Leeds manager Daniel Farke said: “Carrow Road is a difficult ground to travel to. So for us to get an away draw and the clean sheet in this Semi-Final First Leg is a decent solid result. I was happy watching our display. We were solid and we didn’t allow Norwich to create any real chances. I believe we were in control as the match wore on. We had plenty of pressure in the second half and Norwich had to defend well. We also made sure we were not over-motivated ensuring there were no spaces for counter-attacks against us. Maybe we could’ve performed better in our offensive decision-making in and around the box.”

Leeds United fact file

Final position in the Championship: 3rd

Leading scorer: Crysencio Summerville – 20 League and Cup goals

Last appearance in the Premier League: 2022/23

Norwich City fact file

Final position in the Championship: 6th

Leading scorer: Josh Sargent – 16 goals in the Championship

Last appearance in the Premier League: 2021/22

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

Friday 17th May 2024, Kick-off 8pm
Score prediction: Albion away day joy, 2-1.

ALBION AWAY DAY JOY

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

Correct Score - 1:2

12/1

BET HERE

*Odds subject to change. Max stakes applies. T&C apply.

First Leg Review

Like the aforementioned fixture at Carrow Road, it was an extremely edgy affair producing gritty scoreless stalemate.

Kyle Walker-Peters drilled across the face of goal for Southampton whilst West Brom’s Grady Diangana forced two sprawling saves from visiting custodian Alex McCarthy. However neither outfit could break the deadlock.

Quotes

West Bromwich Albion head coach Carlos Corberan said: “I was aware we were facing an excellent team. Both sides had good 20 minute spells. There were exciting moments at either end and it might have been 1-1 or 2-2. Yet overall it was a fair scoreline. I thought our fans were superb and created electric noise.”

Southampton manager Russell Martin said: “I am pleased to take a draw from such a tight game played in a brilliant atmosphere. Beforehand I would have loved to keep the clean sheet. We achieved it through defending resolutely so I am delighted with that. We should have caused more problems for them as we pushed forward but it is never easy. I am really positive now for the Second Leg.”

Southampton fact file

Final position in the Championship: 4th

Leading scorer: Adam Armstrong – 21 goals in the Championship

Last appearance in the Premier League: 2022/23

West Bromwich Albion fact file

Final position in the Championship: 5th

Leading scorer: Brandon Thomas-Asante – 12 League and Cup goals.

Last appearance in the Premier League: 2020/21

The Final

The EFL Championship Play-Off Final will grace Wembley Stadium on Sunday 26th May 2024… Norwich City or Leeds United versus West Bromwich Albion or Southampton.

Championship Betting Predictions

The Championship is the second tier of English football.

Each season, the top two teams automatically earn promotion to the Premier League, with teams placed between third and sixth entering the playoffs. The bottom three will be relegated to League One.

By far the most-watched non-topflight league in the world, the Championship is renowned for its competitiveness. While there are huge gaps between Championship salaries, there is no denying the level of parity.

Some huge clubs are involved each season, but that is no guarantee of success, even when taking on teams with much smaller budgets and stadia.

Reaching the Premier League not only gives a chance to go toe-to-toe with Manchester City, Arsenal and the other powerhouse clubs.

It brings unparalleled riches each season, which can completely change the fortunes of a club in both the short and long term. Stakes in the Championship are incredibly high.

The Championship was known as the First Division until 2004. Prior to the founding of the Premier League in the early 1990s, it was named the Second Division. The trophy has not been altered over that period, however.

Since being restructured in 2004, 56 teams have participated in the Championship. Cardiff City have the longest overall tenure with 18 seasons.

Of current teams, Birmingham City have the longest Championship active spell with 13 straight campaigns in the second tier.

There have been 13 different champions with six winning the title twice.

Championship Tips This Weekend

From analysis of the best teams in Championship history through to match predictions for tomorrow, 888Sport have you covered when it comes to the Championship.

Our experts provide year-round analysis of the division, including weekly match tips.

Wondering who is a good bet to be the Championship top scorer? Trying to find the teams to include in your Saturday afternoon accumulator? Whatever you’re after, 888Sport’s diverse selection of Championship articles can help you out.

The 2023-24 season sees three Championship stalwarts return in Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday.

Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton will be looking to bounce back at the first time of asking after suffering relegation from the Premier League.

When making your correct score prediction for the Championship, you have tonnes of information to weigh up. Injury news and head-to-head records are important, plus you can dive deep into statistics both traditional and advanced.

Championship Predictions For Today

Bettors can find Championship predictions on this page from the opening of the season in late summer through to the Playoffs.

All manner of markets will be covered beyond the standard match winner picks, including both teams to score, total goals over/under and goal scorer bets.

If it’s the latest round of midweek Championship fixtures or tips for this Saturday, 888Sport’s expert team of betting tipsters will have some wagers for you to consider.

Every punter wants some great free sports betting tips. Through our numerous prediction pages, 888Sport has a catalogue of expert predictions, such as football prediction.

Look out for today's Championship prediction pieces and our weekly Championship review articles.

Championship Outright Odds

Championship outright odds for 2023-24 tab the three teams relegated from the Premier League as the favourites for promotion.

Leicester are handed the shortest price of that trio, followed by Leeds, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Ipswich and Norwich.

Before the majority of transfer business has been conducted, Leicester are 11/8 favourites for promotion and priced at 5/1 to win the title. The Foxes finished atop the Championship table in 2013-14.

Leeds topped the league with 93 points in 2019-20 under the stewardship of the iconic Marcelo Bielsa, while Southampton finished as runners-up during their last Championship campaign in 2011-12.

When it comes to Championship relegation odds, Plymouth Argyle and Rotherham United are joint favourites for the drop at 7/4.

Rotherham only finished six points above the drop zone last season. Queens Park Rangers sit at 11/4, while Cardiff City are 3/1 after placing 21st in 2022-23.

Having lost to Luton Town in last season’s Playoff final, Coventry City are 7/4 to finish in the top six in 2023-24. Following a fourth-place finish last term, Middlesbrough are Evens for a top six berth.