Week One Championship Predictions: Alex and Christian take on guest Jacob Horsfall | OneFootball

One of the most fascinating leagues in the world, the Championship, returns for another season.

Each new campaign brings six new teams into the fold, some off the back of successful League One campaigns, some after traumatic Premier League relegations. What unites them all in gameweek one is that each has a clean slate.

This season, Alex and Christian are going to attempt to predict the unpredictable and decide on each result every week, joined by some special guests along the way.

How It Works

Each week of the season, Attacking Football writers Alex and Christian will be joined by a special guest in 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

We’re delighted to say our first guest of the season is content creator Jacob Horsfall, whose football insight can be found across X, YouTube and TikTok. Make sure to check him out!

Gameweek One Predictions

Birmingham v Ipswich

In the Friday night season opener, both sides take on each other in the ‘Chuba Akpom derby’ – both sides wanted the striker who now looks to be heading to Ipswich, much to the annoyance of the Birmingham faithful. Ipswich are looking to bounce back from their one-season stint in the top flight, whereas Birmingham are looking for back-to-back promotions. Could it be done?

Alex’s Prediction: In what should be a blockbuster opener to the season, I can see this one being lively. Ipswich’s quality should just about edge it – 2-1 Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: Birmingham have had a strong window, but McKenna’s well-drilled Ipswich side, packed with goal scorers and talent, should look to dominate. 3-0 Ipswich.

Jacob’s Prediction: Birmingham’s “feel good story” steals the show. Ipswich will undoubtedly destroy the Championship this season but it’ll start off rocky! 2-1 Birmingham.

Charlton v Watford

Nathan Jones’ Charlton host the Hornets in a game of two teams based close to England’s capital. Both sides will aim to have a steady season, in the hope of pushing on in the future.

Alex’s Prediction: Both clubs will be interesting this season; Nathan Jones is certainly a pantomime villain in the making! I can see Charlton getting a surprise result out of this one at home! 1-0 Charlton.

Christian’s Prediction: Out of the three promoted sides, Charlton are the most overlooked. Jones is a Championship-proven manager, and it will be a tough test for Watford, despite their higher quality on paper. 0-0.

Jacob’s Prediction: Both have had solid-good summer windows. Watford just have too much quality in comparison, though. 2-0 to Watford.

Coventry v Hull

Coventry, who missed out on promotion in the play-offs last season, host a side that have slowly spiralled since Liam Rosenior was sacked a year ago. The Tigers will look to roar a little louder this campaign.

Alex’s Prediction: Coventry will have some big pressure this season to perform, but Hull are a bit of an unknown quantity. I can see Lampard’s side winning comfortably. 2-0 Coventry.

Christian’s Prediction: Lampard’s Coventry turned things around last season. Hull, barely surviving the previous time, could look set to struggle again. With players like Haji Wright and Jack Rudoni, Coventry’s attack should be too strong in this one. 4-0 Coventry.

Jacob’s Prediction: Coventry have far, far too much quality. Especially if Charlie Hughes ends up done. 3-1 Coventry.

Southampton v Wrexham

The Saints return after the second-worst Premier League campaign of all time, to face the Welsh side backed by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenny. Wrexham have made history with three consecutive promotions, but survival this year will be enough to push on from in a much tougher Championship.

Alex’s Prediction: This should be an interesting one; I’ll be there at St Mary’s myself. Wrexham have made some good additions, making the game tight, but the quality of Saints should come through. 2-1 Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: This match sums up the Championship. Unpredictable. Wrexham are flying after three straight promotions, while Saints return to where they were just two years ago. A perfect early test for both. 2-2.

Jacob’s Prediction: Battle of “ooo, that’s interesting”. I think Southampton’s quality is just too much to falter here. 1-0 Saints.

Middlesbrough v Swansea

Neither side is unfamiliar with this division and will hope to push on to the play-off places this season. Both are in transitional periods, so may start the season at a slower pace.

Alex’s Prediction: Swansea have had a very solid transfer window, while Middlesbrough have a new manager in Rob Edwards. I can see this being a close one. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Rob Edwards has a big task ahead. Middlesbrough have struggled despite their quality in recent seasons, while Swansea have quietly strengthened over the summer. 1-0 Swansea.

Jacob’s Prediction: Middlesbrough have been in some sad states lately. I rate Edwards as an appointment but think it’ll be a slow start. The Swans and their summer business excite me. 2-0 Swansea.

Millwall v Norwich

Two more teams that have been in the Championship for a few years, hoping to secure a play-off spot. Going away to The Den is Norwich, who no longer have parachute payments, but appointed Liam Manning in the hope of pushing on this summer.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see this being one of the poorer games of the opening weekend; Millwall away may be a tough one for the Canaries. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Millwall look like potential dark horses, but Norwich under Liam Manning are serious contenders. With home support behind them, I’m backing Norwich to edge it. 2-1 Norwich.

Jacob’s Prediction: Milllllllllllll. Norwich are always naturally exciting but Millwall are inevitable. 1-0 Millwall

Oxford v Portsmouth

Both teams that went up and stayed up last season, another year of survival should be enough to maintain their status in the second tier. Expect the Portsmouth fans to sing ‘you’re missing a stand’ at the Kassam in this one.

Alex’s Prediction: Both stayed up after being newly-promoted last campaign, but something tells me Portsmouth will get a huge away win here, they’ve had a solid summer and will want to start fast. 3-0 Portsmouth.

Christian’s Prediction: These two finished next to each other last season, but Portsmouth have only lost one in their previous ten meetings. With key player Josh Murphy and the overall attack more settled, they should have the edge. 2-1 Portsmouth.

Jacob’s Prediction: Battle of the League One survivors. Could go either way but I’ll settle on a draw. 1-1.

QPR v Preston

QPR have had a solid summer of incomings after losing Marti Cifuentes, but Preston seem on a downer after finishing 20th and on a winless run last season. Both have spent years in the second tier, but could it all change this season?

Alex’s Prediction: QPR’s signing of Kwame Poku looks exciting, and I can see them getting a decent result against a Preston side that seems to be faltering at the moment. 2-1 QPR.

Christian’s Prediction: Transfer activity has been promising for QPR, especially after losing Marti Cifuentes. Preston have leaned heavily on the free agent market, and this might be a tough opener for them. 1-0 QPR.

Jacob’s Prediction: The R’s have had a good summer and Preston worry me… 2-0 QPR.

Stoke v Derby

Two teams who survived last season, the Potters and the Rams will hope for more of the same. Both clubs have had some solid investment this year and could be underdogs of the Championship.

Alex’s Prediction: Derby are recruiting well and seem on their way forwards again. They’ll win away from home. 1-0 Derby.

Christian’s Prediction: Derby have had a strong window, but early injuries could hold them back on the opening day. Stoke might benefit, but this feels like a cagey opener. 0-0.

Jacob’s Prediction: Stoke always have solid summers and then play poorly. Mighty Eustace marches on. I’m going with a Derby away win. 1-0 Derby.

West Brom v Blackburn

Alex’s Prediction: Bold prediction – I can see this being high-scoring! West Brom should take the home advantage and win based off of output from superstar Tom Fellows. 4-2 West Brom.

Christian’s Prediction: Ryan Mason kicks off his managerial stint at The Hawthorns, bringing fresh ideas to a West Brom side in need of direction. Blackburn, meanwhile, will aim to control the game in and out of possession under Valérien Ismaël. 1-0 Blackburn.

Jacob’s Prediction: West Brom win. Simple as that. 3-0 West Brom.

Sheffield United v Bristol City

Both sides lost out in the play-offs last year and subsequently lost their managers. A big transitional time for both, who will be vying for play-offs again. Ruben Selles has already been questioned as an appointment by many, so the new Blades boss will hope for a quick start.

Alex’s Prediction: Both teams are in a period of transition, so I can see this one being a game that neither wants to lose. Despite this, Sheffield United should have too much at Bramall Lane. 1-0 the Blades.

Christian’s Prediction: For Bristol City, losing manager Liam Manning feels like a real blow, whereas Sheffield United may have pulled off a smart switch in replacing Chris Wilder with Ruben Selles. The Blades’ transfers have been… questionable; the quality is still there. 2-0 Sheffield United.

Jacob’s Prediction: Play-off flashbacks… I think teething issues for both sides could lead to a pretty dull affair. 1-0 Sheffield United.

Leicester v Sheffield Wednesday

Two clubs with uncertain times ahead, facing points deductions, yet one is hoping to go up and the other to stay up! Sheffield Wednesday’s fans have planned a protest over their ownership, that has left them without enough senior players to fill a bar!

Alex’s Prediction: With respect to Sheffield Wednesday, this should be a walk in the park for the Foxes, whose opponents have been decimated this summer due to Dejphon Chansiri’s disgraceful ownership. 4-0 Leicester.

Christian’s Prediction: With no points deduction as of yet and one of the strongest squads in the league, Leicester should come into this one full of confidence. Wednesday, however, are short on depth and quality. This should be a comfortable start for the Foxes. 3-0 Leicester.