Week 4 Championship Predictions: Featuring HCfootball01 | OneFootball

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 this week’s guest is Heath – HCfootball01, whose football insight can be found on X! Make sure to check him out and drop a follow!

Gameweek Four Predictions

Leicester v Birmingham

Alex’s Prediction: This will be a lively one, both sides will massively be up for it under the lights. No El Khannouss for Leicester, but the return of Fatawu will boost the Foxes. 2-1 to Leicester.

Christian’s Prediction: Birmingham are flying with 7 points already, while Leicester are among the favourites to go up. A tight clash, but Birmingham’s rhythm might steal it. 1-0 to Birmingham.

Heath’s Prediction: Birmingham being unbeaten and, in my view, one of the favourites to go up this season, and although I’m underwhelmed by Leicester’s business – signing only Begovic, I still expect them to put up a good game tonight. Leicester 2-3 Birmingham.

Blackburn v Norwich

Alex’s Prediction: Steady starts from both sides, but nothing to get excited about. Norwich have made a couple of smart additions despite losing Marcelino Nunez to rivals Ipswich Town, so should come out on top. 2-1 to Norwich.

Christian’s Prediction: Both teams have 3 points from 3 matches and haven’t yet settled into the campaign, but home advantage could give Blackburn a slim upper hand. 2-1 Blackburn.

Heath’s Prediction: This one’s hard to call, with both teams having confusing starts—Blackburn began poorly before thrashing Hull 3-0 away, while Norwich have also underwhelmed despite a good win at Portsmouth. 2-0 to Norwich.

Bristol City v Hull

Alex’s Prediction: Bristol City look good, and may thrive against a dodgy backline in the Tigers. They’ll be looking to keep their solid defensive record up at home. 2-0 to Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Bristol City remain unbeaten and look organised — only conceding 2 in the opening 3 games, while Hull’s back line has wobbled under pressure. 2-1 Bristol City.

Heath’s Prediction: Struber’s men have been impressive to say the least. Despite controlling the game against Derby and limiting them to very little, they walked away with only a point. Hull, meanwhile, will be eager to react after last weekend’s embarrassing display against Blackburn. Bristol City 2-1 Hull.

Ipswich v Derby

Alex’s Prediction: Ipswich look set to smash the Championship spending record, and have made a few other interesting additions. The Blues will be up for it. 3-1 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: Ipswich have started slowly, but will see Derby as a chance to solidify promotion intent against a side still adjusting. 2-0 Ipswich.

Heath’s Prediction: It’s not been the start McKenna would have wanted, with his side still searching for their first league win. Derby are in the same boat, yet to pick up a victory themselves, so both teams will be hoping this is that accelerates the season. 3-0 to Ipswich.

Middlesbrough v Sheffield United

Alex’s Prediction: A match-up of two teams going through transition. While Boro’s has been steady, Sheffield United look eratic under Selles. It’s a game of nine points vs none. I see this being a tight one though. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Rob Edwards’ Boro have won all three with just one goal conceded, and Sheffield United don’t yet look sharp enough to dent that under Ruben Selles, despite recent signings. 2-0 Middlesbrough.

Heath’s Prediction: Middlesbrough have won all three games under new manager Rob Edwards, while Sheffield United are on the opposite end of the scale, losing all three under Selles. I can only see one outcome here. 2-0 Middlesbrough.

Millwall v Wrexham

Alex’s Prediction: Millwall will provide a test for Wrexham travelling to England’s capital. Neil’s side are set up well, so this game will be a clash of similar styles. Phil Parkinson will hope for his side’s first win, but will miss out. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Wrexham have shown heart but haven’t been on the winning end of a game, and Millwall’s grit at home should see them through. 1-0 Millwall.

Heath’s Prediction: Millwall have been typically Millwall—hard to beat, while Wrexham are still struggling to adapt to the Championship and remain winless. It’s hard to imagine this one producing many goals. 1-0 to Millwall.

Oxford v Coventry

Alex’s Prediction: Coventry are the league’s top scorers, and Oxford may struggle to prevent them outright. But then, I can see a shock on at the Kassam. 2-1 to Oxford.

Christian’s Prediction: Coventry have been scoring freely with 12 goals in 3 games and Oxford’s defence may not hold up to stop the wave by Frank Lampard’s men. 3-1 Coventry.

Heath’s Prediction: Oxford have lost all three games this season, scoring only twice, while Coventry remain unbeaten and have hit 12 goals in their last two outings. Hopefully, more goals tomorrow. 4-1 to Coventry.

Portsmouth v Preston North End

Alex’s Prediction: Pompey look solid, but Preston look like dark horses this season to me. It will be a close game, decided by a Preston winner. 2-1 to Preston.

Christian’s Prediction: Preston are unbeaten with strong victories over both Leicester and Ipswich, and Portsmouth haven’t found rhythm yet to break them down. 2-0 Preston.

Heath’s Prediction: Portsmouth have had a win, a draw, and a loss to start the season, while Preston remain unbeaten. Neither team are prolific scorers, so I expect a tight affair with just a goal to decide it. 1-0 to Preston.

QPR v Charlton

Alex’s Prediction: Charlton look well set to stay up, and will look to beat local rivals QPR who have started the season terribly. Nathan Hones will be up for this, 2-0 to Charlton.

Christian’s Prediction: QPR look disjointed, especially after a 7-1 battering by Coventry last weekend, but Charlton have struggled to score consistently, so a home win feels likely here. 2-1 to the R’s.

Heath’s Prediction: After QPR’s heavy defeat to Coventry last weekend, I expect a reaction from the players. Nathan Jones will have his Charlton side set up to be tough to break down, so I don’t see many goals in this one. QPR win 1-0.

Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea

Alex’s Prediction: Sheff Wed showed some heart midweek, which could be one of the factors contributing to any points they pick up. Another inexperienced squad will show up to Hillsborough, and lose out. 3-1 to Swansea.

Christian’s Prediction: Both teams are winless and creating few chances, so this may end up being an open game where they go for it, sacrificing defensive stability for the aim to score more goals. 2-2.

Heath’s Prediction: We’ve seen the courage of almost a full U21 side that knocked out a strong Leeds side midweek, and despite everything happening off the pitch, they continue to show togetherness and fight. Swansea’s games this season have mostly been low-scoring, but I have a feeling this one will see more goals. 2-2.

Stoke v West Brom

Alex’s Prediction: Stoke have looked great. Sorba Thomas could be on course to be one of the forwards of the season – what a signing! Ryan Mason’s side have just lost Tom Fellows to Southampton – who contributed to 18/57 of the Baggies’ goals last season. A tight affair. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Stoke top the table with three wins and look compact, but West Brom’s solid form suggests this will be a tense draw between early contenders. 1-1.

Heath’s Prediction: It’s been a fantastic, table-topping start for Stoke, highlighted by their win away at promotion favourites Southampton. But a tough game against Ryan Mason’s West Brom who are also unbeaten, will provide another big test. Stoke 2-1 West Brom.

Southampton v Watford

Alex’s Prediction: The Saints will be boosted by three new additions, including Finn Azaz. They lacked creativity in the middle against Wrexham, which should be solved with this signing. 3-1 to Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: Southampton haven’t convinced yet, and Watford’s home form could prove difficult. After the Saints’ dominant 3-0 win over Norwich in midweek, Will Still’s side will be looking to maintain this winning feeling. 2-1 Southampton.

Heath’s Prediction: Watford, again, are hard to judge with few takeaways from their opening three games, all of which have been fairly close. Southampton have an identical record and haven’t started as they would have liked, with their only win coming from a last-minute comeback against Wrexham. Watford 1-2 Southampton.

Alex + Christian vs The Guests

2 points for guessing the exact scoreline.

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