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

AS our EFL Championship programme reconvenes from the international break, a frantic Easter period will bring major influence on promotion and relegation issues. 

In addition, one freshly appointed interim manager faces his crucially important opening game in charge.

Here are the Good Friday offerings I am looking forward to most alongside my usual considered score predictions…

FRIDAY 29TH MARCH 2024

Watford v Leeds United

An 8pm evening showdown. Making a 180 mile trip straight down the M1 motorway, Leeds United captured pole position on goal difference ahead of the aforementioned international recess. They boast a 13 match unbeaten Championship extravaganza beyond January 1st winning 12 of them.

Meanwhile, hosts Watford sit 13th under caretaker head coach Tom Cleverley. He cleverly won his inaugural engagement 1-0 at Birmingham City last time out. The Hornets had sacked boss Valerien Ismael before that due to him earning just one victory in 12 League and Cup games. Score prediction: Leeds marching on together 2-1. 

Bristol City v Leicester City

Kicking off at 12:30pm, long-term leaders Leicester City slipped to second on goal difference following a disappointing solitary win amongst five outings which incorporated three defeats. Nevertheless, they hold a game in hand on Leeds United.

The Foxes are currently subject to alleged breaches of financial rules and accordingly commenced legal proceedings. As for 14th ranked opponents Bristol City, floundering recent form embraces five losses across six matches. Score prediction: Not much happening 0-0. 

Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich Town

A 5.30pm teatime start. Ipswich Town hover a point off automatic promotion discussions filling third place in light of seven maximum pointers amid eight matches. Moreover they are the division’s foremost scorers on 80 goals. It is a first fixture since USA private equity firm Bright Path Sports Partners bought 40% of the Suffolk club investing “up to £105 million”.

Contrastingly for Blackburn in 17th position, head coach John Eustace is still seeking his first victory after nine games in the hot seat subsequent to being installed last month. He has overseen six draws in Championship encounters. Eustace remains positive stating: “The character and commitment my players are showing is there for everyone to witness so we’ve been very unfortunate not to win several times lately.” Score prediction: Tractor Boys tantalising 3-0. 

Southampton v Middlesbrough

Southampton are fourth yet nine points adrift of the top two. However, Saints won their last two games netting eight goals to overturn preceding back to back defeats.

But it won’t be easy against 10th placed Middlesbrough who are unbeaten in four mustering three ongoing clean sheets. Score prediction: Tight and tense 1-1. 

Queens Park Rangers v Birmingham City

Monumental relegation dogfight vibes where 20th entertains 21st in front of a sell-out capacity crowd. QPR have merely lost once in six games although they’ve failed to score in their past two.

For visitors Birmingham City one point below, it is an initial task for Gary Rowett returning to the club as temporary boss until the end of the campaign. Previous caretaker Mark Venus suffered five defeats in his six match fruitless spree deputising while Tony Mowbray undergoes medical treatment for unspecified illness. Only goal difference is keeping Blues out of the bottom three. Birmingham supporters are boosted by Wednesday morning’s exciting development regarding proposals to purchase land owned by Birmingham City Council in the east of the city for construction of a new stadium. Score prediction: Spectacle of the season 5-5. 

Millwall v West Bromwich Albion

Millwall lie 16th and four points clear of the relegation battle. This reflects three wins and a draw during five matches since boss Neil Harris returned on 21st February.

Next up is a visit from West Brom occupying the fifth rung. Albion are undefeated in six games cementing an eight point cushion above seventh spot thereby seeming near certainties for a Play-Off berth. Score prediction: Baggies sneak it 1-0.


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.

https://www.888sport.com/blog/football-prediction

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. 

Championship Teams 2023-24

  • Birmingham City

  • Blackburn Rovers

  • Bristol City

  • Cardiff City

  • Coventry City

  • Huddersfield Town

  • Hull City

  • Ipswich Town

  • Leeds United

  • Leicester City

  • Middlesbrough

  • Millwall

  • Norwich City

  • Plymouth Argyle

  • Preston North End

  • Queens Park Rangers

  • Rotherham United

  • Sheffield Wednesday

  • Southampton

  • Stoke City

  • Sunderland

  • Swansea City

  • Watford

  • West Bromwich Albion


*All of our 888 Experts picks and betting tips can be considered as a suggestion only.*

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Tony is an experienced football broadcaster who has worked for Clubcall, Capital Gold, IRN Sport, talkSPORT Radio and Sky TV. 

His devotion to Queens Park Rangers saw him reach 50 years without missing a home game in April 2023.

Tony is also a Non-League football expert having visited more than 2,500 different football grounds in his matchday groundhopping.

You can follow Tony on Twitter at @TonyIncenzo.