The EFL Championship delivered unforgettable moments as it returned following the summer break. Now, attention turns towards the English second tier’s second game-week as all sides aim to either continue their success or fix the mistakes of their first game.
Ahead of this, five of our writers have predicted five of the best games from the EFL Championship. At the end of the article, comment your predictions for the games. Let’s get started.
Bristol City vs Charlton Athletic
On Saturday, Bristol City and Charlton Athletic are set to lock horns at Ashton Gate with both sides looking to build on victories to start their season. The Robins managed to sweep up three points away at Sheffield United, sending shockwaves across the Championship by beating The Blades 4-1 at Bramall Lane.
Charlton on the other hand left it incredibly late for their first win upon return to the second tier, as The Addicks secured their 1-0 home win against Watford.
With both sides looking strong already. we definitely have a good game on the eye. Bristol City were incredibly impressive on their home patch last season, however, and I feel that the backing of the home crowd will get The Robins over the line against Nathan Jones and Charlton.
Jenson’s Prediction: Bristol City 2-1 Charlton Athletic
Ipswich Town vs Southampton
Portman Road braces for a heavyweight clash as Ipswich Town welcome Southampton in a fixture that could shape the early Championship narrative.
Kieran McKenna’s side, who need a good start after the games against Birmingham City and Bromley, may look to impose their high-tempo, possession-based style against a Saints outfit that Ipswich faced over the past two seasons. Ipswich won two of the last four matches played between the two sides.
With both teams boasting attacking flair and tactical ambition and still working out their sides with the transfer window still open , this promises to be a test of composure, control, and clinical finishing.
You should expect a game rich in momentum swings, where Ipswich’s cohesion and Southampton’s individual quality could both tip the balance but other. What we can say for sure is that we are in for a tasty game.
Hannah’s Prediction: Ipswich Town 2-1 Southampton
Watford vs QPR
Both sides will be desperate to kickstart their season here under their respective new coaches, but I feel these are two fairly evenly matched sides.
Watford’s home advantage balances out against QPR’s better rested squad. It’s almost impossible to pick out a winner here, and 0-0 draws between these two are a rarity.
Dare I say that if Richard Kone starts, QPR win? It seems unlikely so 1-1 feels right.
Amar’s Prediction: Watford 1-1 QPR
Portsmouth vs Norwich City
Norwich City travel down south to face Portsmouth in one of the early games on Saturday, with Liam Manning’s canaries hoping to at least get a first point of the season, following a defeat at home to Millwall last weekend at Carrow Road.
They did however win during the week in round one of the Carabao Cup at Vicarage Road against Watford, and they are hoping to carry momentum from that into the weekend.
On the other hand, Portsmouth have had the opposite fortunes, with Pompey winning their opening game of the league season away at Oxford United before following that up with a shock 2-1 defeat at Fratton Park against League One Reading.
Portsmouth do have the home advantage here, but Norwich will be possessing quality attacking talent with the likes of Josh Sargent, who has scored in the last two games, and summer signing Papa Amadou Diallo, who assisted both goals on Tuesday night and has quickly become a fan favourite.
The Canaries are yet to get up to full speed across a whole match, so there could be defensive weaknesses in the side which Portsmouth could exploit on the day with the likes of Colby Bishop and last weekend’s match-winner Adrian Segecic.
There’ll be goals to be seen, but it’ll be a tight game and I can’t split the two sides.
Dylan’s prediction: Portsmouth 2-2 Norwich City
Wrexham vs West Bromwich Albion
Wrexham host West Bromwich Albion in the first ever league fixture between the two sides on Saturday at STōk Cae Ras.
The clash will be the first Wrexham home match in the second tier since 1982 and the first head-to-head game between the two sides since 1930.
Wrexham fell to a late 2-1 defeat away against Southampton last weekend whilst West Brom beat Blackburn at the Hawthorns in a tight 1-0 contest.
Nathan Broadhead’s £10million arrival will bolster the Red Dragons’ attack but Baggies new boy Krystian Bielik will look to achieve Albion’s second clean sheet this season.
I can see this being a close contest but with Wrexham running out eventual winners in front of the cameras.
Lawson’s Prediction: Wrexham 2-1 WBA
What do you think of our Championship predictions? Comment your view below.
