Championship Week 6 Preview & Predictions: Featuring Jake Beecher

The Championship returns for another week, and with five games played for each team already, the table is starting to take shape!

Stick around for our preview and predictions in this week’s instalment of our Championship series!

How It Works

Each week of the season, Attacking Football writers Alex and Christian will be joined by a special guest in previewing and predicting the twelve games to come. Each score matters, as there is a league table reflecting each correct outcome.

In this table, the points are rewarded accordingly:

2 points for guessing the exact scoreline, 1 point for guessing the correct outcome.

See the end of every article for the league table.

This Week’s Guest

This week, we’re delighted to be joined by football analyst and content creator, Jake Beecher. Make sure to check him out on his X and TikTok accounts!

Gameweek 6 PREVIEW & predictions

Middlesbrough v West Bromwich Albion

Rob Edwards’ Middlesbrough sit top of the Championship, unbeaten in their first five games. They host a West Brom side who lost for the first time last weekend at home to Derby, but sit in a good position – in the play-off places.

Alex’s Prediction: Middlesbrough have been really promising so far this season, even after losing Finn Azaz. I can see Ryan Mason’s West Brom taking the game to them well, and this one will end in a 2-2 draw.

Christian’s Prediction: Middlesbrough and West Brom look likely to play out a tight game, with Middlesbrough having the edge at home alongside better recent form. However, I’m going to predict a 1‑1 draw, with both sides having chances but not finding many.

Jake’s Prediction: With both sides only three points apart, this game is all to play for. Middlesbrough remain undefeated in the opening five fixtures, and both clubs have had fantastic defensive starts to the season. However I believe that with Rob Edwards fantastic attacking outlets, it will end 2-0 to Middlesbrough.

Birmingham City v Swansea City

Two sides on the verge of the top six meet at St Andrew’s, where a win for either side could see them climb into the play-off spots.

Alex’s Prediction: Swansea have looked exciting this season, and Birmingham’s record at St Andrew’s has been very decent. It feels inevitable that there will be goals in this one – I’m predicting a 3-2 Birmingham win!

Christian’s Prediction: Birmingham have been solid at home this season, but Swansea tend to grind out results away and will have an injected confidence after their superb comeback against Nottingham Forest this past week. I’m leaning towards a 1‑1 draw.

Jake’s Prediction: With Birmingham’s low scoring tally and somewhat leaky defence, it’s hard to not see that there will be goals in this game. With two back to back losses and Swansea’s incredible stoppage time win against Premier League opponents Nottingham Forest, I will be siding with the away side, in a 1-0 win.

Leicester City v Coventry City

The M69 derby is here – two close teams, both geographically and in the league, meet at the King Power Stadium on Saturday. Two teams who will hope to implement high-tempo styles should make this a great one for the neutrals!

Alex’s Prediction: Leicester have surprised me with their fairly decent start, and I can see them keeping that good vein of form up at home here. Coventry have been very good but also leaky at the back, so I can see plenty of goals in this one. 3-1 to Leicester.

Christian’s Prediction: Leicester and Coventry are both pushing hard for Premier League promotion, with Leicester boasting a stronger squad on paper but Coventry proving already dangerous thus far. With high stakes and pressure on both sides, I can see the Foxes narrowly winning 2-1.

Jake’s Prediction: Coventry under Frank Lampard has shown how good he can be as a manager. But, allowing seven goals to go through them already this season has made it hard not to see goals once again. Both clubs are looking to climb however I think it will end in stalemate, a 1-1 draw.

Queens Park Rangers v Stoke City

Queens Park Rangers welcome a Potters side that have been excellent so far this season to Loftus Road. Contrastingly, QPR have found it difficult to maintain a consistent run of form, scoring nine but conceding twelve.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Stoke entering this game confidently, knowing that this QPR side have their weaknesses. But Richard Kone has been brilliant over the last few weeks, so I can see him bagging another goal at home. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: QPR and Stoke have been evenly matched in recent years, with both teams winning 7 of their last 20 meetings and 6 ending in draws — highlighting how tight this fixture usually is. Expect another close battle: 1‑1 draw.

Jake’s Prediction: Richard Kone has had a great start to his time in the Championship, however Johansson in net will be his first major test. Stoke have goals aplenty and will be wanting to continue their fine form. This game will have a lot of chances however I believe it will end 2-1 to The Potters.

Blackburn Rovers v Ipswich Town

Two sides who have had difficult starts to the season meet at Ewood Park, knowing a win for either could send them into the top half of the table.

Alex’s Prediction:  Following Ipswich’s 5-0 drubbing of Sheffield United last Friday, confidence will certainly be high in their camp! I can see it transferring through to this weekend, and they’ll win comfortably. 2-0 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: Blackburn have shown flashes but Ipswich looked back to their best last week and have a more dynamic edge going forward. I’d expect Ipswich to seal it 3-1.

Jake’s Prediction: Ipswich showed their true colours running riot against Sheffield United in a 5-0 win last week, wheras Blackburn are struggling to find any form of consistency currently; with two wins and three losses in their first five matches. After their massive win against The Blades, I think Ipswich have found the key to the puzzle and will go on a great run of form. 3-0 to Ipswich.

Derby County v Preston North End

Preston North End travel to Derbyshire, knowing a win could see them head into the play-off spots. Derby will hope to pick up a point or three, while lingering so close to the drop zone.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Derby making the home advantage pay, they look a solid contender to stay up, and to do that, you have to win these kinds of games. Preston will give them a good game, but the attacking reinforcements at Derby could see them through against a leaky defence. 1-0 to Derby.

Christian’s Prediction: Derby have just gone unbeaten against West Brom and Ipswich, while Preston haven’t won or kept a clean sheet in three games. I’d lean 1‑0 Derby.

Jake’s Prediction: After staying up last season, Preston have bounced back, taking points off Leicester, Ipswich and top of the table Middlesbrough so far. They travel to Derbyshire to take on The Rams, who have let eleven goals past them so far already this season. I am predicting a 1-0 win for Preston.

Hull City v Southampton

Neither side will be content with their starts to the season, both in the lower half of the table. Southampton kept their first clean sheet of the season last weekend and will hope to build on that in Hull on Saturday.

Alex’s Prediction: I think Saints will finally click into gear in this game, and take three points back to the south coast. Their attacking impetus will be too much for Hull. 2-0 Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: Southampton have endured a mixed start to life back in the second division, but its defence is looking steadier this season. I expect Southampton to edge it 2-1.

Jake’s Prediction: Both teams have been extremely inconsistent so far this season. With the squad alone Southampton should win this bout, however Will Still has struggled to adapt his game to the English second division. With this being said, I think Southampton will win 2-0 in convincing fashion.

Norwich City v Wrexham

Wrexham, with just one win this season, travel to East Anglia hoping to steer well away from the relegation zone. Liam Manning’s Norwich have had an inconsistent start, and will hope to go three games unbeaten by avoiding defeat here.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see this one being a sore one for Wrexham, resulting in Phil Parkinson getting the sack. Norwich will be too good, and another reality check for Wrexham will be in order. 4-0 to Norwich.

Christian’s Prediction: Norwich have started the season decently in the Championship, while Wrexham are still trying to adjust after back‑to‑back promotions and haven’t yet found consistent form. 2‑1 Norwich.

Jake’s Prediction: Norwich have been very exciting under Liam Manning. With Sargent at the forefront he will be their main outlet, and with Wrexham’s open defence but high scoring squad, this game will not be short of goals. However I still believe that Norwich will win at home in a 4-2 win.

Portsmouth v Sheffield Wednesday

Struggling Sheffield Wednesday visit the south coast in search of their first win of the season, and will find it difficult at a raucous Fratton Park. Portsmouth will have a spring in their step after their 0-0 win against Southampton (wink).

Alex’s Prediction: I can see this being a comfortable one for Portsmouth, despite Sheffield Wednesday showing good courage so far this season. 2-0 to Pompey.

Christian’s Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday have generally had the upper hand in recent matchups vs Portsmouth, and Portsmouth’s home matches have shown discipline but also limited attacking threat. Don’t expect many goals — 0-0 draw.

Jake’s Prediction: Wednesday face off against Portsmouth who have looked very good as of late, impressing me in their 0-0 draw against rivals Southampton. Wednesday sit 23rd, above rivals Sheffield United albeit without a single win so far this season. For me, it’s a relatively straightforward bout for Pompey, with a 3-0 home win being my prediction.

Sheffield United v Charlton Athletic

Chris Wilder returns as Blades boss to face Nathan Jones’ Charlton side, fighting to stay in the league.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Wilder’s Blades putting a real statement out there – they aren’t here to mess about under his management. 3-0 to the Blades, simple!

Christian’s Prediction: Sheffield United have gone full circle, re‑appointing Chris Wilder, aiming to arrest a terrible start to their season. Nathan Jones’ Charlton will be hoping to catch the Blades during this transition period. But Wilder has retained the majority of his previous squad, 2-0 United.

Jake’s Prediction: After sacking Ruben Selles and bringing back fan favourite Chris Wilder for his third stint at the club, Sheffield United host a Charlton side who have established themselves as a favourite for survival. However with the “new” manager bounce and players wanting to perform to make it in the squad, I have to vote in favour of The Blades with a 1-0 win infront of the home crowd.

Bristol City v Oxford United

Oxford United make the short trip down to Bristol, also searching for their first win of the season against a solid-looking Robins side.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see this being a big win for Bristol City, who are in great form under new boss Struber. Oxford are struggling! 3-1 to Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Bristol City are in very good form this season, scoring well and not losing yet. Oxford have been hit‑and‑miss, especially away, so I lean 2‑0 Bristol City.

Jake’s Prediction: Bristol City have continued their fantastic end of season form into the new season, even with the loss of Liam Manning, looking extremely good under Gerhard Struber. Playing a high scoring Robins side with their unstable defence, I believe Oxford United will be decimated by Bristol City. 5-0.

Millwall v Watford

A London clash at the Den awaits, as two sides firmly in mid-table meet. It’ll be a decent atmosphere, with both sides vying for that all-important win.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see this one being pretty tight. Both sides are fairly solid defensively and offer certain threats going forward. I expect Watford may edge it with their attacking talents, 1-0 to the Hornets.

Christian’s Prediction: Millwall have been reasonably solid lately, especially on the road, but Watford are under pressure and inconsistent away from home. Neither side has kept a clean sheet in their past four, so I’ll go 1-1.

Jake’s Prediction: Both clubs have had inconsistent starts to the season, however Watford have been extremely disappointing. Both teams being very low scoring, I believe this match will end in a 0-0 draw.

Writers vs Guests Table

2 points for guessing the exact scoreline, 1 point for guessing the correct outcome.

	Alex	Christian	Guests
Week 1	7	2	4 (Jacob Horsfall)
Week 2	4	5	8 (Alan Nixon)
Week 3	4	10	3 (BenHD)
Week 4	4	3	5 (HCFootball01)
Week 5	4	3	8 (Martin Sanders)
Week 6	–	–	– (Jake Beecher)
Total Points	23	23	28

Make sure to check back each week for the latest predictions and guests, and see how the table develops!