Football expert @TonyIncenzo gives his best bets and Championship predictions ahead of a huge round of fixtures in the Football League...
OUR much-loved EFL Championship resumes this weekend following the enforced international break.
Champions-elect Burnley can almost smell a Premier League berth whilst we also anticipate important action affecting the Play-Off and relegation discussions.
Here are the games I am looking forward to most alongside my usual score predictions…
FRIDAY 31ST MARCH
Burnley v Sunderland
Correct Score - 2:0
Unstoppable frontrunners Burnley hold a 16 point cushion ahead of the Play-Off pack. Indeed, Vincent Kompany’s men need three victories from their concluding nine games to secure automatic promotion.
The Clarets have lost just twice in 37 League matches to date. In addition, they protect the Championship’s only remaining unbeaten home record – 14 wins, five draws.
So a tough ask facing 11th placed opponents Sunderland reflecting on a single success in seven outings encompassing four losses.
The Black Cats will be without Jewison Bennette and Dan Ballard because both picked up injuries on international duty.
Score prediction: Burnley edge ever closer to the promised land 2-0.
SATURDAY 1ST APRIL
Luton Town v Watford
A 12:30pm lunchtime kick-off for this much-hyped local derby between two clubs located 19 miles apart via the M1 motorway.
Passionate rivalries are intensified even further by the fact Watford sacked manager Rob Edwards in September and he is currently doing very well in Luton Town’s dug-out having been appointed there on 17th November. The Hatters sit fourth courtesy of four triumphs from six unbeaten.
On the contrary, Watford lie 10th after their preceding five games yielded one victory.
The Hornets were booed off on the final whistle last time out in a 1-1 stalemate against bottom side Wigan Athletic at Vicarage Road.
Score prediction: Excitement aplenty 2-2.
Birmingham City v Blackburn Rovers
Correct Score - 1:3
Fifth placed Blackburn enjoy five Championship wins amongst six. Rovers were boosted on Wednesday morning as defender Scott Wharton signed an extended deal until summer 2027.
By contrast, homesters Birmingham City occupy 17th although they’ve won two of the past three.
Club captain Troy Deeney, 34, says he is considering his St Andrew’s future despite being offered a new contract. Hamstring problems mean Deeney hasn’t played beyond 18th February.
Score prediction: Rovers emphatic 3-1.
Huddersfield Town v Middlesbrough
Huddersfield Town are three points below safety in 22nd position. Their 1-0 result away to Millwall in the last fixtures round was a first win amidst six games.
Since then, the Terriers named American businessman Kevin M. Nagle as potential new owner. Even so, it could be up to two months until the takeover is ultimately completed.
A totally different scenario exists for third placed Middlesbrough. The Teessiders boast three conquests in a four match unbeaten run moving them to within three points of the automatic promotion rankings.
Overall, Middlesbrough have won 16 times in 22 Championship engagements stretching from Michael Carrick’s enrolment on 24th October. Boro captain Jonny Howson penned a contract extension on Tuesday until next season’s conclusion.
Score prediction: Carrick masterclass 3-0.
Norwich City v Sheffield United
Correct Score - 3:4
Norwich City loiter three points under the Play-Offs in seventh spot but haven’t won in three.
Meanwhile, second placed Sheffield United are faltering with four defeats in seven Championship contests.
The Blades’ previously comfortable gap over those Play-Off chasers therefore diminished to three points.
Score prediction: Glorious entertainment 3-4.
Wigan Athletic v Queens Park Rangers
Rock bottom Wigan Athletic’s first assignation since they were deducted three points following delays in meeting player salaries due to “a cash flow issue”.
The latest development is that tardy wages were subsequently paid while club chief executive Mal Brannigan has departed. Wigan slumber eight points beneath safety, registering a solitary win in 19 matches across all competitions dating back before the World Cup break.
It is a similar woeful tale on the field concerning Saturday’s visitors Queens Park Rangers. The R’s have won just twice in 23 League and Cup games, dramatically plunging from Championship leaders right down to 19th.
Two victories during the final eight fixtures are targeted by Hoops boss Gareth Ainsworth to ensure survival in view of an extremely fragile six point advantage above the relegation dotted line.
Ainsworth could see Chris Willock, Ethan Laird and Leon Balogun available at the DW Stadium after all three made injury returns in the QPR ‘B’ team on Monday night.
Score prediction: Rangers steal it 1-0.
The Championship is the second highest division in the English football league system after the Premier League and it is often labelled as the toughest league in world football.
Popular with football betting fans around the world, the Championship has a gruelling 46-match schedule that is designed to separate the men from the boys.
Securing promotion to the Premier League is the ultimate objective for the 24 Championship clubs at the start of every campaign but reaching the promised land is easier said than done.
The EFL Championship was founded in 2004 after it was previously known as the Football League First Division. Punters looking for tomorrow prediction tips on English football can find betting advice on the second tier here...
The winning team is awarded the EFL Championship trophy, which happens to be the same trophy as the old First Division before the Premier League was formed in 1992.
The topic of Championship salaries is always intriguing, especially when the likes of Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Fulham have dropped out of the Premier League.
Tomorrow Match Prediction:
Punters can find the latest Championship betting predictions at 888sport, as well as interesting articles on England’s second tier – including a look at the best Championship teams of all-time.
Ahead of the 2020/21 campaign, Derby County and Nottingham Forest hold the longest tenure in the Championship having played in the second tier since 2007/08. Find the best football prediction for tomorrow on English football today.
So whether you want to check out the Championship top goal scorers by season or simply browse the Championship betting odds, 888sport is the place to be.
Which Championship teams will feature in our expert correct score prediction tips next season? Only time will tell – the race to secure promotion to the top flight is well and truly on!
Follow this page throughout the season for the best EFL Championship predictions, tomorrow match prediction advice and betting tips on one of the greatest competitions in football.
Championship Predictions Today:
Punters can find upcoming Sky Bet Championship tips here throughout the domestic football season. Our football experts offer their free Championship predictions on the biggest matches in England's second tier...
Whether you are looking for midweek fixtures or Saturday football tips, Championship betting tips can be found ahead of each gameweek. Bet on the Championship today at 888sport!
Football fans, free sports betting tips for today can be found on all major sports. Championship betting odds chop and change over the course of the season so keep an eye on the latest football tips.
*All of our 888 Experts picks and betting tips can be considered as a suggestion only.*
*Odds correct at the time of writing - subject to change*
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to AP Photo*
FIRST PUBLISHED: 20th December 2020
