Saturday's Championship predictions including Watford vs. Sunderland

Blackburn vs. QPR (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Blackburn Rovers play host to Queens Park Rangers on Saturday afternoon looking to extend their unbeaten record in the Championship to seven matches.

At a time when the home side sit in fifth position in the standings, the visitors to Ewood Park are down in 14th spot despite their own five-match undefeated streak.

We say: Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Queens Park Rangers

With QPR proving difficult to beat of late, Blackburn could have their work cut out in this fixture. Nevertheless, we are backing Eustace's side to come through with the three points, potentially with a goal in each half.

Derby vs. Norwich (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Fighting to retain their 100% home record in the early stages of the 2024-25 campaign, newly-promoted Derby County will welcome Norwich City to Pride Park for a Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Rams have endured an inconsistent return to the second-tier stage following League One promotion in May, whilst the Canaries are still recovering from playoff semi-final heartbreak earlier in the calendar year.

We say: Derby County 1-0 Norwich City

Derby's home form is keeping them clear of trouble at the start of this season, and we expect that narrative to continue against Norwich on Saturday afternoon.

The Canaries are significantly weaker on the road than compared to at their Carrow Road base, meaning that another disappointing outing is on the cards for the East Anglians.

Sheff Weds vs. West Brom (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Two teams sat at opposite ends of the Championship table at this early stage of the season will square off in the seventh round of league fixtures on Saturday, as Sheffield Wednesday welcome West Bromwich Albion to Hillsborough.

The hosts find themselves 22nd having gone five games without a victory since the opening day, while their visitors sit at the summit of England's second tier thanks to an unbeaten start.

We say: Sheffield Wednesday 0-2 West Bromwich Albion

West Bromwich Albion are in formidable form and growing in confidence under Corberan, and we see them having enough to outclass a Sheffield Wednesday side who are lacking any form heading into the weekend.

Hull City vs. Cardiff (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Cardiff City will head to the MKM Stadium to take on Hull City on Saturday in their first game following the departure of Erol Bulut.

The former boss was sacked on Sunday with the Bluebirds sat bottom of the Championship table on a single point, while their hosts recorded a first league victory of the campaign to climb up to 16th spot last time out.

We say: Hull City 2-0 Cardiff City

Hull City should take plenty of confidence from their first victory of the season last time out, and they will hope to kick on against a Cardiff City side reeling from the departure of their manager and a poor start to the campaign.

Leeds vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to close in on a top-two spot, Leeds United will welcome an out-of-form Coventry City side to Elland Road for a tasty-looking Championship clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Whites recorded a routine two-goal success at the home of basement dwellers Cardiff City last time out, whilst the Sky Blues' struggles continued against Swansea City in the East Midlands.

We say: Leeds United 3-0 Coventry City

Despite their recent struggles at Elland Road, Leeds will be massive favourites for victory on Saturday afternoon against a Coventry side who are yet to click into gear.

The visitors are short of options in midfield and could be blown away by a purring Leeds attack, adding to the Sky Blues' mounting list of defeats.

Middlesbrough vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Middlesbrough play host to Stoke City on Saturday afternoon looking to build on a mixed start to the new Championship campaign.

At a time when the home side sit in 12th position in the standings, the visitors are down in 17th on the back of successive defeats.

We say: Middlesbrough 2-1 Stoke City

The travelling fans will be hoping that their side can start this game much better than they finished the last one. Nevertheless, though, we are backing Boro to come through with the three points, gaining revenge for the hammering that they took from the Potters last month.

Millwall vs. Preston (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Millwall and Preston North End square off at The Den on Saturday afternoon looking for the win that they need to surge up the Championship standings.

With just one victory apiece, these two teams currently occupy 18th and 21st position in the table.

We say: Millwall 1-2 Preston North End

Although Preston are yet to win on their travels in the league, earning a draw at Middlesbrough was a step in the right direction. With that in mind, we are backing them to edge out their hosts in a competitive encounter in the capital.

Oxford Utd vs. Burnley (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Oxford United play host to Burnley on Saturday afternoon looking to retain their place in the top half of the Championship standings.

At a time when the home side sit in ninth place, Burnley are in fourth and just three points adrift of the leaders.

We say: Oxford United 1-2 Burnley

With a perfect record at home, Oxford will fancy their chances of adding more points to their tally from this contest. However, we have to back the visitors, even if they have to work harder than perhaps anticipated to overcome the division newcomers.

Portsmouth vs. Sheff Utd (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sheffield United will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the Championship season when they travel to the South Coast for Saturday's clash with Portsmouth.

The Blades head into the weekend in fifth position, while Pompey are languishing in the relegation zone after failing to win any of their first six league matches.

We say: Portsmouth 0-2 Sheffield United

Portsmouth's tricky start to the League One season continues with a difficult home game against a team that was competing in the Premier League last season, and while they will be desperate to claim a positive result, we think they could be swept aside by a Sheffield United side that will be full of confidence following three consecutive wins.

Watford vs. Sunderland (Saturday, 3.00pm)

After a midweek trip to the Premier League champions, Watford will return to the stresses and strains of Championship life as high-flying Sunderland visit Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.

The Hornets were knocked out of the EFL Cup at the home of Manchester City on Tuesday night, whereas the Black Cats have enjoyed a full week to recover from their most recent second-tier clash at the Stadium of Light.

We say: Watford 2-2 Sunderland

Unbeaten in five matches at Vicarage Road so far this season, Watford should be confident of turning around their recent form and recording a positive result this weekend.

That being said, Sunderland look like a force to be reckoned with this campaign under Le Bris, who should be able to guide his troops to a point in Hertfordshire.