Championship 2025/26 Preview & Predictions Week 16: Featuring AI | OneFootball

After the international break, the Championship is well and truly back!

Last time out, writer Alex scored the most points with eight, followed closely behind by guest Ryan Hurst.

This Week’s Guest

This week, we’re taking on a new type of opponent: Artificial intelligence. Now, we weigh up a true test to see whether AI is as advanced as it’s made out to be, or will its predictions be pure guesswork with little substance…?

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 16 Preview & Predictions

PRESTON NORTH END V BLACKBURN ROVERS

Preston play with a steady, experienced approach at Deepdale and will aim to frustrate Blackburn, who have displayed the ability to pick up three points but are prone to lapses away from home.

Alex’s Prediction: One unexciting but decent side hosts an unexciting but poor side. Heckingbottom’s North End side should have them numbered in this one, if they are as solid as ever. 2-1 Preston.

Christian’s Prediction: Preston are unbeaten in their previous four, and while Blackburn have begun to pick up the pace, North End rank third for best home form in the league. Expecting a difficult win at Deepdale, 2-1 Preston.

AI’s Prediction: Preston have shown resilience; Blackburn’s defence is shaky, especially away from home. 2-1 Preston.

BRISTOL CITY V SWANSEA CITY

Bristol City’s attacking play has been lively but unpredictable. Swansea, meanwhile, are trying to stabilise their form after a mixed set of recent results.

Alex’s Prediction: City’s recent managerial transition was seamless, with Struber doing good work so far. Swansea will be hoping for something like that of their own but will struggle in their caretaker era. 2-0 Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Neither side has won in their previous three games and will see this game as an opportunity to restore form. The Robins are just two points behind the play-off positions. With Swansea being underwhelming thus far, Gerhard Struber’s side will be up for it. 2-0 Bristol City.

AI’s Prediction: Bristol are pushing for higher places but remain a bit erratic; Swansea can score but may struggle to keep this tight. 2-1 Bristol City,

CHARLTON ATHLETIC V SOUTHAMPTON

Charlton have shown real grit since coming up and won’t fear a bigger side. Southampton are experiencing a new manager bounce. Whether that continues will be up to the Saints to step up to the plate.

Alex’s Prediction: Nathan Jones will simply be dreaming of getting one over his former club, whose supporters quite frankly dislike him. Charlton are a solid team, and if they win this, I expect a big surge from the Saints’ ownership for finding a new boss. 2-1 Charlton.

Christian’s Prediction: Two clubs that saw the potential of Nathan Jones. Charlton have been rejuvenated under the Welshman, whereas the Saints aren’t firing on all cylinders at the moment. Two wins from two under Eckert was a necessity, but it might be too much of a challenge tomorrow to maintain that winning feeling. 1-1.

AI’s Prediction: Charlton are scrappy but dangerous at home, whereas Southampton, with more quality, will be expected to dominate. 2-1 Southampton

COVENTRY CITY V WEST BROMWICH ALBION

Frank Lampard’s Coventry have resurged after their temporary slip against Wrexham, with two wins from two. Ryan Mason is on thin ice at the Baggies but did pick up a pivotal win against Oxford last time round.

Alex’s Prediction: Ryan Mason seems to be running out of time to impress the Albion faithful, and a trip to Coventry isn’t the dream fixture. Lampard’s Sky Blues have been on song so far this season; can they keep up their form? 2-1 Coventry.

Christian’s Prediction: Coventry hadn’t beaten the Baggies since 2022 before Frank Lampard. His first game against them ended in a victory, and current form suggests another similar result. 2-0 Coventry.

AI’s Prediction: Coventry are in red-hot form under Lampard and scoring freely; West Brom have defensive holes that could be exploited. 3-1 Coventry

BIRMINGHAM CITY V NORWICH CITY

Birmingham have started to look more organised at St Andrew’s, while Norwich keep digging for a run of results and will hope for a manager bounce with Philippe Clement and that home pressure doesn’t rattle them once more.

Alex’s Prediction: Fresh off the back of a managerial appointment, the Canaries visit St Andrew’s in search of a first win in what feels like centuries. The new boss, Clement, should have an instant impact. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: The Canaries are in desperate times. A managerial change has to be the catalyst for their campaign, as they’ve begun to drift. Only four points separate them from being out of the relegation zone, but Birmingham have discovered new life recently, scoring nine in their past three. 2-1 Birmingham. 

AI’s Prediction: Birmingham have shown good home energy, while Norwich are still finding consistency, favouring a Birmingham win. 2-0 Birmingham.

DERBY COUNTY V WATFORD

Derby have been grinding out consistent results and will look to be solid defensively at Pride Park, while Watford have plenty of attacking options but haven’t been consistent enough to gain regular wins, mainly on the road.

Alex’s Prediction: Two very good Championship sides capable of scoring plenty of goals; it’ll be a battle for who can outscore the other at Pride Park. 3-2 Derby.

Christian’s Prediction: John Eustace’s men are unbeaten in five games on the bounce! Watford have recorded the worst away form in the division, yet to gain three points on the road, but picked up a solid point at Portman Road. Expecting a comfortable Rams victory, though. 2-0 Derby. 

AI’s Prediction: Derby are under pressure and tight at the back; Watford have quality going forward but may not be clinical. 1-1.

IPSWICH TOWN V WREXHAM

Ipswich are unpredictable at Portman Road but typically deny opponents from getting into their rhythm (with the exception of Charlton), and Wrexham remain ambitious and hopeful of adding onto their 21-point tally.

Alex’s Prediction: The perfect game to get up the table for the Blues, McKenna’s side will see this as a must-win if they want to get promoted back up at the first time of asking. 2-0 Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: While two points separate the sides, the Tractor Boys have a +9 goal difference over their Welsh opponents. Kieran McKenna’s firepower should see them through, concerning a few in the process. 4-2 Ipswich.

AI’s Prediction: Ipswich remain one of the more stable sides in the division; Wrexham are still adapting to this level. 2-0 Ipswich

LEICESTER CITY V STOKE CITY

Stoke fell short to league leaders Coventry before the international break. With Leicester fans running out of patience with manager Marti Cifuentes, it will be an interesting clash to see who can bounce back.

Alex’s Prediction: Stoke are a tough side to beat, and off the back of a new contract, Mark Robins will be keen to prove his worth to the Potters fans. Leicester are struggling and face an imminent points deduction – wins in these kinds of games for promotion are necessary. 2-1 Stoke.

Christian’s Prediction: No one would’ve predicted the stark contrast between these two sides. The Potters have three more wins, average higher goals scored, fewer and have three more clean sheets. The King Power hasn’t been a fortress thus far, and Stoke have already gained 14 points away from home. With the second-best away form, Mark Robins’ side will be the favourites, 2-1 Stoke. 

AI’s Prediction: Leicester, with their superior squad depth, should control most of the game; Stoke may defend hard but lack the finishing edge. 2-0 Leicester

OXFORD UNITED V MIDDLESBROUGH

Oxford have shown fight but often fall short (quality-wise) against the division’s bigger sides; Middlesbrough look comfortable managing games and should be able to maintain their dominance under interim boss Adi Viveash.

Alex’s Prediction: Kim Hellberg is certainly an intriguing appointment from Boro, and they’ll see a visit to Oxford as a great opportunity to grab three points. 2-1 Boro.

Christian’s Prediction: Boro are unbeaten in their past four against Oxford, putting eight past them last campaign. While Oxford have scored just three shy of Viveash’s men, think Middlesbrough will use their defensive advantage well (conceding only 0.87 goals per 90). 2-0 Boro.

AI’s Prediction: Oxford are one of the weaker teams and may struggle to keep up; Middlesbrough should be able to impose themselves. 2-0 Boro

PORTSMOUTH V MILLWALL

Portsmouth’s form has been up and down, while Millwall’s organised, physical approach makes them a hard opponent to break down, despite conceding more than they have scored.

Alex’s Prediction: Pompey have had some dire patches of form this season, and the international break came at the right time, for some player returns ahead of this game. The Lions will smell blood, but I think it’ll be a tight game. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: A fixture that Pompey dread each season. You’d have to go back to 2010 to see their last win against Millwall. Pompey have dropped recently, accumulating only three wins this season, and Millwall have lost just once in their past five. 1-0 Milwall.

AI’s Prediction: Portsmouth’s inconsistency could be exposed by a physical, well-organised Millwall side. 2-1 Millwall

QUEENS PARK RANGERS V HULL CITY

QPR tend to raise their intensity at Loftus Road and try to dictate tempo a little more, while Hull are compact and disciplined — they’ll aim to frustrate QPR and hit them with transitions for large periods of the game.

Alex’s Prediction: The Hoops have had very inconsistent form, and a visit from a similarly-mixed Tigers side will make for an interesting match. 2-2.

Christian’s Prediction: While Hull’s transition style results in goals galore, their defence suffers. Conceding 1.6 goals per 90, alongside a few worrying injuries, places them in a tough position. QPR are winless in five however, which could be perfect for the Tigers. 2-1 Hull.

AI’s Prediction: QPR are decent at home, but Hull have shown they can fight for points on the road. 1-1.

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY V SHEFFIELD UNITED

The Steel City derby always tightens the air. But with both sides occupying relegation spots, there’s all the reason to believe this could be replayed in League One next season, funnily enough. Wednesday will feed off the home crowd and fight every loose ball, whereas United have slightly more quality on paper but do derbies ever follow the status quo?

Alex’s Prediction: A game that has come at a good moment for the Owls, they’ll hope to beat a poor Blades side in what is certain to be a tasty affair. 1-0 Wednesday.

Christian’s Prediction: Administration has solidified Wednesday’s relegation, but has sparked a new era for the club. It could provide the players and fans with the additional desire to win the game – a fixture they have longed to win, dating back to 2012 for their last victory. Injuries pile on for both sides, but Chris Wilder’s men are in another terrible patch. 2-1 Wednesday.

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