Championship 2025/26 Preview & Predictions Week 18: Featuring Supercomputer | OneFootball

The Championship table is beginning to take shape, yet the upcoming Christmas period could completely alter the course of the season, adding to the unpredictability.

Last week, AllSaints reached the highest point tally of anyone in a single week (11), beating writers Christian and Alex. Is the gap growing too big for them to catch up to the guests?

This Week’s Guest

This week, we’re not going against just artificial intelligence, but we’re taking it a step further. We’ve added as many stats, metrics and as much context as we could into a fully functioning Python-based Championship Supercomputer. Last time AI featured, it defeated both writers. Let’s see if our new Supercomputer will live up to the expectations.

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.

Gameweek 18 Preview & Predictions

Oxford vs Ipswich

Ipswich are unbeaten on the road in their past three, winning each one. With the Tractor Boys amongst the promotion boys at the top, Oxford will need a perfect performance to get something out of it.

Alex’s Prediction: Ipswich are starting to find some sustained form, and the Blues are five games unbeaten now. A visit to Oxford, who have won just once at home this season, could be a chance to extend this run. 3-1 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: Gary Rowett’s men haven’t tasted victory since October and could go winless in November if a result isn’t picked up tonight. Kieran McKenna’s side dominates statistically, with fewer goals conceded and more goals per 90. Expect a comfortable away win, 3-0 Ipswich.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Calculating… 2-0 Ipswich.

Leicester vs Sheffield United

It’s been five years since these two sides met in the same division. Leicester haven’t lost against the Blades in the past fifteen years and will be hoping to maintain that dominance at the King Power tomorrow.

Alex’s Prediction: The Foxes are really struggling to convince their fanbase, and Marti Cifuentes may already be on borrowed time. The Blades are finally seeming to pick up form under Chris Wilder. 2-1 to Sheffield United.

Christian’s Prediction: Eleven. It’s been eleven outings since Leicester last kept a clean sheet, and with Sheffield United boasting three goals in midweek, it looks set to be a tight clash. The Blades have two wins in their last five trips on the road but could struggle against Cifuentes’ possession-based style on home turf. 2-1 Leicester.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Beep… boop… 2-0 Leicester.

Portsmouth vs Bristol City

Both sides won 3–0 at home last season, meaning they shared the spoils. Home turf proved decisive; will it once again?

Alex’s Prediction: Pompey are on a very poor run of results, with fans calling for more funding in January from their owner. Struber’s Bristol City are in the top eight teams for away form and will try to further that position at Fratton Park. 2-0 to Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Gerhard Struber’s side averages the fifth-most goals, alongside six clean sheets (the third-most). Two wins in their past six have undermined their bright start, and with Portsmouth looking stronger at home, an even game is on the cards. 1-1.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Estimating… 1-1.

Stoke vs Hull

Just five points separate these two sides, and it’s a fixture almost guaranteed to have a winner. The last four meetings have produced no draws, with two wins apiece. Will Mark Robins’ Stoke take a step closer to Coventry, or could Hull edge closer to the Potters?

Alex’s Prediction: The Potters are flying under Mark Robins and look an extremely well-organised side. They’ve lost just twice in eight home games this season, while Hull City have only won two away. 2-1 to Stoke.

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides have produced players with the most chances created: Ryan Giles and Sorba Thomas, with ten each. Stoke have kept the most clean sheets in the league and will look to keep that record going. 1-0 Stoke.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Processing… 2-0 Stoke.

Coventry vs Charlton

A side that’s scored 47 goals (19 more than any other side) against a team that’s conceded eight in their past two. Coventry will be anticipating a victory, but could Nathan Jones’ Charlton pull off a surprise?

Alex’s Prediction: Coventry are the only side in the league still unbeaten at home, and a visit from Charlton, having had a rough past week, could spur them on further. Nathan Jones has lost heavily to his former clubs this week and will want to take back some control. 2-0 to Coventry.

Christian’s Prediction: Lampard’s side won the past two clashes in this fixture last season, having last lost in 2016. Striker Brandon Thomas-Asante leads the goalscoring charts for the Championship, coupled with the Sky Blues averaging over double the goals per game than the Haddicks. 3-1 Coventry.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Analysing… 3-0 Coventry.

Middlesbrough vs Derby

Kim Hellberg has had a few days on the grass with his Middlesbrough squad, intending to come back this Saturday and restore a sense of victory at home after their 4-2 loss to Coventry in midweek. John Eustace’s men revitalised after their loss to Watford, defeating Swansea away from home.

Alex’s Prediction: Kim Hellberg’s first game in charge is against a Derby County side who have lost just one of their last five on the road. The new Boro boss will look to implement his high-tempo style from the off. 2-1 to Boro.

Christian’s Prediction: The Rams have won four of their last five, scoring 11 goals in the process. They’re up against a Boro side who haven’t kept a clean sheet in six matches. With Derby scoring more goals than their Teesside opponents, a shock result could be on the cards. 2-1 Derby.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Running model… 2-1 Middlesbrough.

Millwall vs Southampton

A tough test for both sides at this stage of the campaign. Millwall occupy fourth place, just two points shy of the automatic promotion spots, while the Saints have surged up the table under interim manager Tonda Eckert.

Alex’s Prediction: The Saints lead the form table, winning four out of four under interim boss Tonda Eckert, who is set to be appointed on a permanent basis if they beat Millwall at the Den. The Lions are five games unbeaten at home, so it will be a tough visit for Southampton. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: The Lions are dominant on home turf, winning five and losing only three. With Southampton just four points behind them, a win could see them edge into the playoff positions. Recent form favours the Saints, especially since Alex Neil’s men have won just one of their past five games. 2-1 Southampton.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Initialising… 2-1 Southampton.

Norwich vs QPR

The Canaries are crying out for a victory, having gone winless in their past thirteen. They are up against a QPR side that recently faced a rough patch but has now secured two consecutive victories under Julien Stephan.

Alex’s Prediction: The Canaries are still winless at home and will hope new boss Phillipe Clement can turn their dire situation around. A visit from QPR, who sit fifth in the away form table, could be a tough way to break their duck. 1-0 to QPR.

Christian’s Prediction: Despite having Josh Sargent up top, Norwich has found a way to struggle scoring goals. Their abysmal form at home (without a win this season) will come back to bite them, especially against a QPR side that looks rejuvenated, beating Hull and Blackburn in their last two outings. 2-0 QPR.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Loading match data… 2-1 QPR.

Sheffield Wednesday vs Preston

The Owls sit 24th in the Championship and look set to stay there for the rest of the season. Being thirty points behind their opponents, Preston would not have been expected this early.

Alex’s Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday, still winless at home, host a Preston side whose away form has been poorer than theirs at Deepdale. It should be a routine win. 3-1 to Preston.

Christian’s Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday have scored just two in their past five. A lack of forward threat, alongside defensive frailties, has been a thorn in their side this season. While they’ll hope new signing Nathan Redmond will provide a boost, Preston are a far better side at the moment. 2-0 Preston.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Crunching numbers… 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday.

West Brom vs Swansea

The Baggies have lost 12 points from winning positions thus far – the most of any side in England’s second tier. Swansea, meanwhile, have yet to keep a clean sheet since playing Southampton in the beginning of October.

Alex’s Prediction: Ryan Mason needs a result here, and against Vitor Matos’s first game in England, he should aim to use his experience in getting that. 2-0 to West Brom.

Christian’s Prediction: West Brom went undefeated in this clash last year and should look to continue that dominance. Their biggest concern will be finishing teams off, given their biggest win of the season is a tight 3-2 win over Wrexham. Swansea will be desperate for a new manager bounce against a side in a similar position to theirs (19th and 17th). 1-0 Swansea.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Evaluating… 1-1.

Wrexham vs Blackburn

Both teams are in good form as of late. The Welsh side are flying ever since their 3-2 win over league leaders Coventry, winning three and drawing two. Blackburn have won all three of their last away fixtures.

Alex’s Prediction: Wrexham are on a great vein of form as of late, five unbeaten, winning three of these. Similarly, the away side have won three in five but have lost two. Two very even teams currently. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Blackburn rank second in the division for away form while Wrexham have lost just two at home. Phil Parkinson has undoubtedly shown he can handle the Championship and will look to mount a push into the play offs, given just two points stand in their way of doing so. 2-1 Wrexham.

Supercomputer’s Prediction: Generating… 2-1 Blackburn.

Birmingham vs Watford

A Monday night clash in the Championship. Birmingham have bounced back from their mediocre start and have blown teams away. Watford gained their first away win of the season last weekend, aiming to go consecutively against the Blues.

Alex’s Prediction: Birmingham are in fantastic goalscoring form at home, scoring nineteen. They’ll hope to continue this against a poor Watford side away from Vicarage Road. 3-1 to Birmingham.

Christian’s Prediction: One loss in the past five has signalled a breath of fresh air for Birmingham. Watford have won the last three meetings between the sides and are unbeaten in their last five. With both sides in form, a draw is likely. 2-2.

Blackburn vs Ipswich

While not a fixture of gameweek 17, Blackburn face Ipswich in a replay. The last encounter saw Ipswich play poorly, Blackburn winning 1-0 and Ewood Park unable to handle rain.

Alex’s Prediction: Blackburn have been in good form and two games in quick succession won’t be ideal for them, against a big Ipswich squad that tends to rotate. I can see a hammering. 3-0 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: Ipswich will be up for it. Blackburn were the superior side last time round but some things take time, and the Tractor Boys look better than ever. Summer signings have begun to gel and conceding just three in their past six, while going unbeaten, emphasises the shift they’ve gone through. 2-0 Ipswich.

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