England Championship

Championship tips by:

Robin Cohen

Matches

League Table

Championship standings

• Total
• Home
• Away

		M	W	D	L	GD	Last 5	P
1	Coventry	24	15	6	3	29		51
2	Middlesbrough	24	12	7	5	8		43
3	Ipswich	24	11	8	5	17		41
4	Hull City	24	12	5	7	3		41
5	Millwall	24	11	6	7	-5		39
6	Watford	24	10	8	6	5		38
7	Preston	24	9	10	5	6		37
8	Bristol City	24	10	6	8	6		36
9	QPR	24	10	5	9	-3		35
10	Stoke City	24	10	4	10	6		34
11	Wrexham	24	8	10	6	3		34
12	Leicester	24	9	7	8	0		34
13	Southampton	24	8	8	8	4		32
14	Derby	24	8	8	8	0		32
15	Birmingham	24	8	7	9	1		31
16	West Brom	24	9	4	11	-4		31
17	Sheffield Utd	24	9	2	13	-4		29
18	Swansea	24	8	5	11	-6		29
19	Blackburn	23	7	6	10	-4		27
20	Charlton	23	7	6	10	-7		27
21	Portsmouth	23	6	7	10	-9		25
22	Oxford United	24	5	7	12	-9		22
23	Norwich	24	5	6	13	-10		21
24	Sheffield Wednesday	23	1	8	14	-27		-7

		M	W	D	L	P
1	Coventry	12	9	2	1	29
3	Ipswich	12	7	4	1	25
6	Watford	12	7	4	1	25
2	Middlesbrough	12	7	3	2	24
4	Hull City	12	7	2	3	23
5	Millwall	13	7	2	4	23
11	Wrexham	13	6	5	2	23
15	Birmingham	12	6	5	1	23
16	West Brom	12	6	4	2	22
7	Preston	12	5	5	2	20
9	QPR	11	6	2	3	20
10	Stoke City	12	6	2	4	20
13	Southampton	11	5	4	2	19
12	Leicester	12	5	4	3	19
8	Bristol City	12	5	3	4	18
18	Swansea	12	5	3	4	18
21	Portsmouth	13	5	3	5	18
20	Charlton	10	5	2	3	17
14	Derby	12	3	5	4	14
17	Sheffield Utd	11	4	2	5	14
22	Oxford United	12	3	4	5	13
23	Norwich	12	3	1	8	10
19	Blackburn	11	2	3	6	9
24	Sheffield Wednesday	13	0	4	9	4

		M	W	D	L	P
1	Coventry	12	6	4	2	22
2	Middlesbrough	12	5	4	3	19
14	Derby	12	5	3	4	18
4	Hull City	12	5	3	4	18
19	Blackburn	12	5	3	4	18
8	Bristol City	12	5	3	4	18
7	Preston	12	4	5	3	17
3	Ipswich	12	4	4	4	16
5	Millwall	11	4	4	3	16
9	QPR	13	4	3	6	15
17	Sheffield Utd	13	5	0	8	15
12	Leicester	12	4	3	5	15
10	Stoke City	12	4	2	6	14
13	Southampton	13	3	4	6	13
6	Watford	12	3	4	5	13
11	Wrexham	11	2	5	4	11
18	Swansea	12	3	2	7	11
23	Norwich	12	2	5	5	11
20	Charlton	13	2	4	7	10
16	West Brom	12	3	0	9	9
22	Oxford United	12	2	3	7	9
15	Birmingham	12	2	2	8	8
21	Portsmouth	10	1	4	5	7
24	Sheffield Wednesday	10	1	4	5	7

Fixtures Championship

Game week: 1Game week: 2Game week: 3Game week: 4Game week: 5Game week: 6Game week: 7Game week: 8Game week: 9Game week: 10Game week: 11Game week: 12Game week: 13Game week: 14Game week: 15Game week: 16Game week: 17Game week: 18Game week: 19Game week: 20Game week: 21Game week: 22Game week: 23Game week: 24Game week: 25Game week: 26

2025/20262024/20252023/20242022/20232021/20222020/20212019/20202018/20192017/20182016/20172015/20162014/20152013/20142012/20132011/2012

			Predictions
12:0004 Jan	Birmingham - Coventry		Birmingham to win 2.75
Nostrabet's Analysis Birmingham continues to struggle with a poor run of results, which persisted following their 0-3 defeat on the first day of the year against Watford. Next up is a home match against the league leaders, Coventry. The visitors seem to be facing issues The form of Frank Lampard's team has undeniably dipped recently, and there is a strong possibility that this trend may continue during this challenging away game. While Birmingham's current state is far from commendable, they can always manage to secure a result at home that could help them turn things around. Coventry, on the other hand, has appeared shaky on the road lately, having drawn three consecutive matches, including a recent one against Charlton, who are not particularly formidable opponents. Bet on 1X An additional prediction is offered for a potential home victory.
12:0004 Jan	Sheffield Utd - Oxford United		Correct Score: 1:0 6.50
Nostrabet's Analysis Sheffield United continues its steady rise in the Championship standings, with what appears to be a manageable challenge ahead - a home match against Oxford. The visitors are struggling Philip Krastiev and his team have now dropped to second from bottom in the table, and it will not be easy for them to move from that position after this round. Sheffield recently delivered a convincing victory against Leicester and will be looking to secure another win to solidify their improving form. Oxford has not been performing well away from home and is currently under interim management. The "Yellows" managed to put Ipswich under pressure a few days ago, but it is sincerely doubted that they can replicate that performance now. Fatigue may also start to take its toll on this team. A bet on Sheffield to win with a clean sheet Perhaps the visitors will frustrate the "Blades" with solid defensive work, but in the end, they are likely to bow down once again.
12:0004 Jan	QPR - Sheffield Wednesday		Under 3.5 Goals 1.50
Nostrabet's Analysis QPR recently faced two consecutive defeats over Christmas, which has somewhat grounded them. Next up is a home match against the struggling Sheffield Wednesday. The visitors are unlikely to secure any points It seems improbable that the "Owls" will earn points from this encounter, considering the multitude of issues plaguing the club and the lack of quality and morale currently available. The team is bracing for relegation, with hopes of a potential new buyer under whose guidance they can start to improve. In the meantime, they will continue to lose matches like this one. However, QPR is not entering this game with an abundance of confidence either, and it is suspected that the number of goals could be low by the end of the match, even if the Londoners are expected to take the win. A bet on under 3.5 goals It will be interesting to see if this line will indeed be surpassed.
15:0004 Jan	Millwall - Swansea
Nostrabet's Analysis
15:0004 Jan	Norwich - Stoke City		Correct Score: 2:1 10.00
Nostrabet's Analysis Norwich and Stoke managed to secure invaluable victories on the first day of 2026. Now, a direct clash between the two is on the horizon. Will there be goals? Stoke won 1-0 away against Hull, ending their recent poor run. However, it seems unlikely that the "Potters" will achieve back-to-back victories. It is more plausible to envision a match that will be slightly more open, with both teams feeling liberated to play following their recent results. Nonetheless, the "Canaries" are undoubtedly in better overall form over the past month, and a victory here could see them escape the relegation zone, which would be a fantastic testament to the work of Philippe Clement, considering Norwich's previous position not long ago. Bet on over 2.5 goals A prediction for the exact score is also provided.
15:0004 Jan	Bristol City - Preston		Under 2.5 Goals 1.82
Nostrabet's Analysis Bristol City demonstrated impressive form recently, delivering a masterclass against Portsmouth with a 5-0 victory at home. They are now set for another home match, this time against a direct rival for a top-six spot - Preston. Will it be a tightly contested match? Both teams secured convincing wins recently, which will boost their confidence. However, given their close positioning in the league table, there is likely to be an element of caution involved. The two sides are quite evenly matched in terms of strength, so if the game unfolds at a slower pace, it’s probable that a single goal could suffice for victory. Overall, this is a challenging match to predict, leading to a choice of betting on goals, even if it isn't entirely certain. Bet on under 2.5 goals Let’s see if the zeros will linger a bit longer.
15:0004 Jan	Portsmouth - Ipswich
Nostrabet's Analysis
15:0004 Jan	Middlesbrough - Southampton		Anytime goal scorer: Tommy Conway 2.62
Nostrabet's Analysis Middlesbrough is currently not enjoying the festive period of matches and will be eager for it to conclude as soon as possible. A positive outcome against Southampton might bring some relief. The visitors have also forgotten what a win feels like Neither team approaches this match with confidence, as the "Saints" have not secured a victory in their last five matches, while the hosts have gone four games without a win. This has seen Boro drop to third place, necessitating a swift response, especially with Ipswich on a fantastic run. It is believed that at the Riverside, the hosts will be closer to achieving success. In such cases, where both teams are underperforming, the home advantage typically provides a boost. Bet on 1X A bet on the home team to win or draw could also be a solid option.
15:0004 Jan	Hull City - Watford		1 2.67 X 3.40 2 2.63
Nostrabet's Analysis
15:0004 Jan	Blackburn - Charlton		Double Chance: 2x 1.93
Nostrabet's Analysis Charlton is likely to be feeling confident after their impressive performance on the first day of the new year, managing to secure a draw against league leaders Coventry. Next up is a visit to Blackburn. There are numerous issues for the hosts The situation does not look good for Rovers. Valérien Ismaël seems unlikely to remain as manager for much longer, as Blackburn has struggled to win matches for quite some time and hovers near the relegation zone. Currently, they are just outside it, but this could change within the next week or two. Furthermore, their toothless display against Wrexham on the 1st is unlikely to have instilled much confidence in the fans ahead of the upcoming clash. While Charlton may not be a formidable opponent, this team shows more spirit, and a slight advantage is given to them. Bet on X2 It is anticipated that the "red and blacks" will leave with at least a point.
15:0004 Jan	Derby - Wrexham
Nostrabet's Analysis
20:0005 Jan	Leicester - West Brom
Nostrabet's Analysis

The English Championship offers unpredictable, exciting action. As a division below the English Premier League, it’s a great league for betting. Indeed, big name former top level sides, sleeping giants, and emerging clubs vie for promotion to the big time.

Such high stakes often bring non-stop action and high-scoring games. Plus, if we look deeper into the stats and trends, potential value odds from match betting to handicaps and final league positions.

In this article, first, we’ll bring you an overview of Championship betting. Starting with five of the best betting markets and top betting strategies, and then answers to commonly asked questions to help you make informed Championship predictions.

Understanding the English Championship for Betting

In this section we define how the Championship shapes up. First, how many teams play in the league, the fixture format, and total number of games played. Secondly, how fixture build-up can impact the betting markets. Then we talk about the fight for promotion and relegation. Finally, we look at home and away form trends, and the most common final scores in Championship games. Plus, we identify an interesting trend to watch out for.

League Structure & Key Fixtures

The Championship has 24 teams who play a 46-game league season, where each club plays each other twice, once home and away during August to May each campaign. After those 46 games, the top two teams gain promotion to the Premier League, joined by a playoff winner from the third to sixth place finishers. Likewise, the bottom three suffer relegation to League One.

Such a gruelling schedule means fixture congestion. For instance, games get rescheduled due to clashes with FA Cup or League Cup fixtures, or even bad weather. Also, there’s plenty of midweek games on top of weekend contests. So the players are affected by fatigue and possible injuries. This can even up the odds between fancied and unfavored teams.

Promotion & Relegation Battles

The race to win the Championship is fierce. All 24 teams battle to gain the most points and claim one of two automatic promotion spots. The playoffs add more spice to the season’s climax. As the top clubs down to mid-table sides battle for a playoff spot and the chance to play in the Premier League.

Likewise, competition is just as hot at the opposite end of the table. Clubs strive to avoid a bottom-three finish and relegation to League One.

Across the campaign, momentum shifts are common. For example, teams can find form and quickly climb the table to a playoff position. Or have a dip in form to slide down towards the danger zone.

Key Stats & Trends for Betting

It’s vital to analyse match stats and trends to gain an edge for your Championship footbal predictions. So scan the home and away form trends for some pointers. Judging by analysis, some teams are successful when playing at home, but they might gain fewer points playing away.

According to the stats, 1-1 was the most common Championship scoreline in 2024-2025. With 15.44% of games ending one a piece, followed by 1-0 at 10.59%. Suggesting a wager on those specific correct scores could be worthwhile.

Betting trend: However, in contrast to the most popular scoreline stat. In the 2024-2025 Championship, 45% of matches featured over 2.5 goals. So many games also feature plenty of goals.

Best Betting Markets for the Championship

We’ve chosen five of the best betting markets for Championship predictions for Saturday. Starting with Match Betting, you choose one of three outcomes. Moving on to a prediction of whether a specific match will have more or fewer than a specific number of goals. Then, both teams will score, yes or no, and handicap bets with plus or minus head starts. And finally, promotion and relegation betting odds.

Now, let’s introduce the top markets listed below.

Match Betting (1X2)

This is betting on either the home team to win, the draw, or an away win. When does it make sense to back the favourites to beat the underdogs? When the favourites have no injuries, are in good form, and their odds are not too short. Or if the odds are tempting, you may wish to back the underdogs to win.

Furthermore, based on analysis, the Championship produces many draw outcomes. In fact, 2024-2025 saw 157 of 557 games (28%) ended in draws. And in the previous five seasons the figure hovered between 24% to 29%. This makes the draw tempting value at around 3.0 to 3.6 betting odds in most fixtures.

Over/Under Goals

Here you make a prediction on how many goals will be scored in a match. Over/under goals markets go from over/under 0.5 goals (at least one goal), up to over 6.5 goals and more.

The Championship is a high-scoring competition because teams play a high-tempo, direct style. So this sees lots of possession turnovers, player errors, and goals are plenty.

Over 2.5 Goals can be a good market to try if you see generous odds. According to the latest stats, the Championship produces an average of 2.45 goals per game.

Both Teams to Score (BTTS)

As discussed, Championship matches are open and high-octane, with lots of goalscoring action. Most teams play all-out, often leading to both teams scoring. So Both Teams To Score (BTTS) can offer tempting value.

Research matches where both teams are predicted to score lots of goals, yet also concede lots. Also, check each team’s recent form, past meetings, and current season stats. Then you can pick sensible championship score predictions.

Handicap Betting

This is a useful betting option when an odds-on favourite plays a heavy underdog. You could bet on the favourite with a -2 handicap, where they need to win by three clear goals for your bet to land. Or, betting on the underdog with a +1 handicap gives them a one-goal advantage. Which could be successful if they draw or lose by only one goal.

Promotional & Relegation Odds

Whether you’re tempted by a pre-season antepost bet, or betting during the season, wagering on promotion and relegation outcomes adds an extra layer of excitement to Championship predictions. You can stake on which team will win the league. Or one or several teams to gain promotion, who will win the playoffs, or which teams will suffer relegation.

Such longer-term bets can offer decent value, especially if you notice a trend early in the season. Is there an overpriced possible title challenger? Or a team that might struggle more than expected?

Expert Betting Strategies for the Championship

Next, let’s define the best strategies for successful Championship predictions. We’ll run through sensible strategies like bankroll management for long-term betting. Then how to exploit live betting in Championship games. And how to swerve common betting mistakes like overreacting to short-term wins or losses. Or not looking at player injuries and individual match conditions. And poor betting discipline such as chasing losses.

Follow these handy tips to level up your English Championship predictions this season and beyond. Keep to an informed, clear strategy to maintain long-term profitability in this exciting league.

Bankroll Management

Proper bankroll management is key for profitable long-term betting. First, decide how much money you have to bet. Next, spread your bets on many events instead of risking all on one match. You could use flat staking to bet a specific amount each time. Or bet with a percentage of the total bankroll per bet. This helps you reduce risk, manage variance, and stay disciplined in backing those Championship predictions.

In-Play Betting Tips

Championship in-play betting can offer many opportunities. Check for in-game changes that aren’t reflected in the current odds. Let’s say if an underdog starts a match playing above expectations, their odds could be good value.

Or wait until half-time and consider backing over 2.5 goals if you foresee more goals. Be aware of live statistics combined with your intuition to make the best Championship predictions.

Avoiding Common Betting Mistakes

Consistency, discipline, and patience are essential to avoid mistakes in your betting. So to maximise your chances of wagering success. Before placing a bet, consider that recent form isn’t always accurate. Look into the pre-match stats. Also, injuries, suspensions, and fixture congestion should be looked at to identify possible mispriced odds.

Stay consistent with your betting strategy. Research the odds and remove emotions when betting. Never chase your losses, which could lead to further losses.

The Best Bookmakers for Championship Betting

All leading bookmakers offer betting markets for EFL Championship matches. The UK betting sites often provide special bonuses for betting on Championship games. These include boosted odds, acca bet boosts, free bets, and more rewards, depending on the bookmaker.

Bet365, Betfred and betway are among the trusted UK bookmakers that are great for Championship predictions. They offer great odds and new customer offers that can be used on the upcoming games from England’s second-level football league.

Conclusion

To sum up, the Championship offers great betting value. The 46-game-long season provides twists and turns. For instance, promotion thrills, relegation battles, and hard-fought matches with plenty of betting markets available. From pre-match to live betting, or across the whole season, stay updated to grab the best value.

Make sure you follow us to get weekly updates on the best Championship betting tips. From predictions to unique insights and strategies, we want to help you make smart Championship predictions today.

FAQ