Saturday's Championship predictions including Sunderland vs. Middlesbrough

Norwich vs. Watford (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Norwich City play host to Watford on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that could take them into the top half of the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, the visitors to Carrow Road already occupy a place in that area of the table, sitting in sixth position.

We say: Norwich City 1-1 Watford

For different reasons, this will feel like a must-win match for either side even at this early stage of the season. Nevertheless, we feel that a low-scoring draw will play out in East Anglia, suiting Watford more so than Norwich.

QPR vs. Millwall (Saturday, 12.30pm)

With just two victories between them in the 2024-25 Championship campaign, Queens Park Rangers and Millwall lock horns in a Saturday lunchtime encounter at the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium.

Marti Cifuentes's side are reeling from an EFL Cup exit to Crystal Palace in midweek, while their visitors were bested 1-0 by Luton Town at the weekend.

We say: Queens Park Rangers 2-2 Millwall

Goals at both ends of the pitch are usually a guarantee when QPR are in action, and a Millwall side more prolific than any bottom-half team can capitalise on any weary Hoops legs from their EFL Cup exploits.

Cifuentes's side have often risen up in the face of adversity this season, though, and we can see their unbeaten streak - and affinity for draws - extending in a high-scoring stalemate.

Sunderland vs. Middlesbrough (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Aiming to bounce back from a first setback of the Championship season last weekend, Sunderland will welcome Middlesbrough to the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

The hosts dropped to second spot in the second-tier table after seeing their perfect start brought to an end against Plymouth Argyle, while their visitors are four points worse off at this early stage having shared the spoils with Preston North End last time out.

We say: Sunderland 1-1 Middlesbrough

Sunderland will be keen to bounce back from last week's setback in their home derby, but the visitors do have the quality to test the in-form Black Cats, and we see them sharing the spoils at the Stadium of Light.

Bristol City vs. Oxford Utd (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Bristol City play host to Oxford United on Saturday afternoon looking for the victory that could see them move into the top half of the Championship table.

As for the visitors to Ashton Gate, they already sit in seventh position in their first season back in the second tier for more than two decades.

We say: Bristol City 1-1 Oxford United

Many will feel that Oxford make the trip to Ashton Gate as the favourites to come out on top given their superior start. Nevertheless, we are backing Bristol City to earn a share of the spoils, even if that will not go down well with their supporters.

Burnley vs. Portsmouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Burnley will attempt to claim a second straight victory when they welcome struggling Portsmouth to Turf Moor for Saturday's Championship contest.

The Clarets are in fourth spot with 10 points to their name, while the visitors are languishing in the relegation zone after mustering three points from their five matches.

We say: Burnley 2-1 Portsmouth

Burnley have not claimed a competitive home win over Portsmouth since February 1982, but we think they will end that winless run when they face a Pompey side that will be low on confidence after suffering consecutive home defeats.

Cardiff vs. Leeds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both aiming to bounce back from defeats last weekend, Cardiff City and Leeds United will do battle in South Wales on Saturday.

The visitors sit at the foot of the Championship table having only managed a single point from their first five outings, while their visitors suffered a first league loss of the season last time out.

We say: Cardiff City 0-2 Leeds United

Saturday's game promises to be an intriguing one in South Wales with both sides desperate to bounce back to winning ways.

Even without Rodon and James, Leeds United have the quality to outclass their hosts, and we back them to return to Yorkshire with all three points and compound the hosts' early-season struggles.

Coventry vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Coventry City and Swansea City meet on Saturday afternoon looking to kick-start their campaigns in the Championship.

As it stands, these two teams sit in 14th and 11th place in the standings respectively, collecting just three wins between them.

We say: Coventry City 2-1 Swansea City

Given the inconsistent feel of both sides, this match could go several ways, but there may only be one goal in it. For us, Coventry will hit back from the disappointment of midweek and get a much-needed three points on the board.

Luton vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both sat on four points at the bottom end of the Championship table in the early stages of the new season, Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday will square off at Kenilworth Road on Saturday.

The hosts recorded their first victory of the campaign last time out following their relegation from the Premier League, while the visitors are winless in England's second tier since the opening day.

We say: Luton Town 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday

Luton Town are yet to truly kick into gear on their return to the Championship, but with confidence from a first victory last time out, they should have the quality to get over the line at home to a Sheffield Wednesday side lacking a degree of confidence of their own.

Sheff Utd vs. Derby (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Both aiming to make it three consecutive victories in the Championship, Sheffield United and Derby County will square off at Bramall Lane on Saturday.

The two sides both sit on nine points in sixth and eighth spots respectively in the second-tier table after five rounds of fixtures, having been two divisions apart last season.

We say: Sheffield United 2-0 Derby County

Derby County certainly have cause for optimism following their start to the campaign and back-to-back wins, but they face a stern test away at a Sheffield United side who have quickly found their groove at both ends of the pitch.

With home advantage and momentum building, we see the Blades having too much quality on Saturday and taking another three-point haul.

West Brom vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

West Bromwich Albion play host to Plymouth Argyle on Saturday afternoon bidding to retain their spot at the top of the Championship standings.

Meanwhile, the visitors to The Hawthorns begin the next set of fixtures in 16th position, an acceptable start for head coach Wayne Rooney.

We say: West Bromwich Albion 2-0 Plymouth Argyle

Having toppled one leader of the division, Plymouth will fancy their chances of replicating that act. Nevertheless, we can only back a hard-earned win for the Baggies here, and with a clean sheet being recorded in the process.