Championship Predictions Week 5: Featuring FootballMartin (South Coast Derby Special) | OneFootball

After the first international break of the season, the Championship is back. After two weeks away, new signings have had the time to settle in, and every club has had time to regroup and prepare for another flurry of matches.

Week five of the Championship also sees the return of the famous South Coast Derby, which is set to be an interesting occasion – see our predictions below!

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 exact 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 content creator and Southampton fan Martin Sanders – make sure to check him out across his socials: YouTube, TikTok, X, and Instagram!

As the South Coast Derby is this week, having Martin as our guest was a no-brainer!

Gameweek 5 Predictions

Ipswich Town v Sheffield United

Sheffield United visit Portman Road on Friday evening, a ground that will be well up for a game under the lights. Shockingly, both sides are winless so far this season. Ipswich need to hit the ground running after the international break and, with new signings, will hope to make home advantage pay against Selles’ dismal Blades.

Ipswich will be well up for this, and two weeks of bedding in their new signings will have been crucial. McKenna is a smarter tactician than Selles. 2-1 to Ipswich.

Alex’s Prediction: Ipswich will be well up for this, and two weeks bedding in their new signings will have been crucial. McKenna is a smarter tactician than Selles. 2-1 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: The international break has likely come at the best time for the Blades. A week to recuperate, and after keeping key player Gustavo Hamer, I have a feeling they’ll surprise the Tractor Boys. 2-0 to Sheffield United.

Martin’s Prediction: This is a crucial match for Ipswich, one they’ll be eager to secure a victory in. Ruben Selles is under immense pressure, and I predict he might be the first manager in the Championship to lose his job. 3-0 to Ipswich.

Charlton Athletic v Millwall

A derby that both fans will be well up for in south-east London. Both sides have had steady starts to the season, but dropped off since winning their respective opening games.

Charlton will find their home games extremely important, making the Valley a tough place to visit. In a game both sets of fans won’t want to lose; I can see it being close. 1-1.

Alex’s Prediction: Charlton will find their home games extremely important, making the Valley a tough place to visit. In a game both sets of fans won’t want to lose, I can see it being close. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Charlton are yet to pick up three points since the opening day, and Millwall will be needing to bounce back after their surprise 2-0 defeat against Wrexham last gameweek. 2-1 to Millwall.

Martin’s Prediction: This will be a tight game at The Valley; I can see this one being a draw. 1-1.

Oxford United v Leicester City

Leicester have started the season well and visit an Oxford United side winless and in the relegation zone so far. Leicester will hope to claim an automatic spot early on in the season and could see that happen with a victory here.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Oxford making it difficult and bringing the game to Leicester at times, but the quality of the Foxes should come through. 1-0 to Leicester.

Christian’s Prediction: The King Power looks to be a tough ground once again this season, but away performances from Marti Cifuentes’ men haven’t been convincing. Oxford will make it tough, but players like Fatawu and 16-year-old Jeremy Monga will cause problems. 3-1 to Leicester.

Martin’s Prediction: I expect a Foxes win down at Oxford, but the big question is when will Leicester find out if they are getting a points deduction? 2-0 to Leicester.

Preston North End v Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough are four from four under Rob Edwards, scoring seven and conceding just one so far this season. Preston North End have had a predictably steady start to the season and will hope to stop Boro’s winning run.

Alex’s Prediction: Middlesbrough have started well, but Preston always seem to pick up favourable results against the top teams. With the slight home advantage, I’m going to go for a North End win. 2-1 to Preston.

Christian’s Prediction: Will Rob Edwards’ side keep their momentum up? Preston will likely be one of their most challenging games thus far. After beating the likes of Leicester and Ipswich, North End will fancy themselves at home. 1-1.

Martin’s Prediction: Middlesbrough have had an impressive start to the season. They managed to retain their key player, Hayden Hackney, though they did part ways with Finn Azaz. Given their strong form, I anticipate a Boro victory here. 2-0 to Middlesbrough.

Coventry City v Norwich City

Coventry have experienced an undefeated start under new boss Frank Lampard and face a Norwich side fresh with new management and signings. Liam Manning will hope to be the first side to take three points at the CBS Arena.

Alex’s Prediction: Coventry are excellent in their home games and I can only see Lampard’s Sky Blues picking up a win here. Norwich have confused me so far; their window seemed good but a slow start! 2-1 to Coventry.

Christian’s Prediction: Coventry have started the season well, unbeaten in four with two wins and two draws, while Norwich have also been quite strong, picking up two wins so far. With Coventry flying at home, I’m expecting a tight 2‑1 victory for the Sky Blues.

Martin’s Prediction: Coventry have been the standout side; can they keep that momentum going between now and the next international break? The next four fixtures won’t be easy, especially with a trip to Leicester coming up next week. Still, I’m backing Cov to get the win this weekend! 4-0 to Coventry.

Sheffield Wednesday v Bristol City

Winless Sheffield Wednesday host a Bristol City side yet to lose in their first four games this season. Henrik Pedersen’s Owls have shown some heart but are going to struggle to stay out of a relegation battle – home games may be crucial!

Alex’s Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday will have enjoyed the international break to get a bit of fitness back into an already overworked squad, despite it being so little through the season. I can only see the Robins winning this one. 2-0 to Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday sit second from bottom with just a single point to their name, while Bristol City have climbed into the top six after an unbeaten start. With the Robins unbeaten in their last three against Wednesday, a 2-1 away win for Bristol City looks likely.

Martin’s Prediction: I can see Wednesday losing this one. 3-0 to Bristol City.

Stoke City v Birmingham City

Both sides have started the season well and will hope to continue that after the international break. Stoke have been a force to be reckoned with this season and will make the Britannia Stadium a tough place to go.

Alex’s Prediction: Stoke looked excellent on the counterattackwhen I saw them live a few weeks ago, and they’ll have to do some more of the same against a Birmingham team that will look to dominate possession and tire them out. I can see them taking a draw here. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides are still finding their feet early in the season—Stoke have started brightly and sit inside the top four, while Birmingham haven’t looked as strong away from home. A tight 1-1 draw.

Martin’s Prediction: Stoke have made a strong start, but they’re up against a Birmingham side I can see pushing for the play-offs. When I watched Stoke at St Mary’s, I was really impressed with them. 2-1 to Stoke.

Swansea City v Hull City

Two sides who have spent a considerable period in the Championship meet in one of the football games this weekend.

Alex’s Prediction: I can’t see Hull taking anything away from a Swansea side who look decent at home. 2-0 to Swansea.

Christian’s Prediction: Swansea are unbeaten at home so far this season with back-to-back clean sheets – a defensive stronghold to build on. Hull have been shaky, shipping four goals in their 4–2 loss at Bristol City last weekend, so expect Swansea to edge it 1–0.

Martin’s Prediction: I think it’ll be a draw at Swansea, I’m looking forward to visiting Hull next week. 2-2.

Watford v Blackburn Rovers

Struggling Blackburn Rovers travel to a promising Watford side who have started well at home, winning one and holding promotion-chasing Southampton to a draw in their most recent game. Rovers need a win to steer away from an early relegation worry!

Alex’s Prediction: Watford may just click into gear for the first time this season in this game. They have some really interesting players and a way of putting it all together on the pitch. 3-1 to Watford.

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides are easing into the Championship campaign, but Blackburn have been struggling defensively, conceding an average of two goals per game. Watford have begun to pick up the pace, with summer signing Nestory Irankunda looking to be a steal and a marquee player for the Hornets. 2-0 to Watford.

Martin’s Prediction: I was impressed by Watford’s strength and power when I watched them two weeks ago at Vicarage Road. Another home win here! 2-0 to Watford.

West Bromwich Albion v Derby County

Ryan Mason’s start at West Brom can’t have gone much better, with three wins and a draw. Derby, on the other hand, are looming around the relegation zone.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see West Brom picking up a positive result here. Ryan Mason is going to be a top manager and is already mounting a decent promotion push. 2-0 to West Brom.

Christian’s Prediction: West Brom have flown out of the blocks with three straight wins, while Derby are winless and stuck near the bottom. Despite Derby’s shock 3-1 win at the Hawthorns last season, I’ll go for a Baggies 2-1 win.

Martin’s Prediction: West Brom will be gutted to lose Tom Fellows but I do fancy them for a play-off push! 2-0 to West Brom.

Wrexham v Queens Park Rangers

Wrexham’s start hasn’t exactly been Hollywood, with a fifteenth-place standing after four games. They’re visited by a QPR team who have had a rocky start, losing 7-1 to Coventry before winning the week after!

Alex’s Prediction: QPR looked much better in their last outing and will have had the two-week break to really process how strangely their season has started. I can see this being a close one. 2-2.

Christian’s Prediction: Wrexham surrendered a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 with Sheffield Wednesday in their last home game, highlighting some second-half defensive issues. QPR have suffered this season; however, they have rekindled a spark in their latest 3-1 win over Charlton. 1-1.

Martin’s Prediction: An Away win for QPR; they had a window with some good additions, I’m hearing. 2-1 to QPR.

Southampton v Portsmouth – SOUTH COAST DERBY

For the first time in thirteen years, Southampton play fierce rivals Portsmouth in the league. St Mary’s is set to be the most hostile ground in the country, despite a plethora of derby games happening this weekend. Expect it to be lively!

Alex’s Prediction: It’ll be a close game at St Mary’s, where pivotal moments could make Southampton or Portsmouth players heroes at their respective clubs forever. Southampton’s quality and new additions should see them through, though, in a game where both sides will be desperate not to concede that first goal. 1-0 to Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: Southampton have strengthened their squad with key signings like Finn Azaz and Tom Fellows, aiming to bolster their midfield and attacking options. Portsmouth, while competitive, lack the same depth and high-profile signings, which could be a decisive factor in the South Coast derby. Given the disparity in squad strength, I’ll back the Saints to secure a 1–0 victory.

Martin’s Prediction: It’s the big one! I’m excited and confident in Will (Still) and the squad. Saints should and will win this one, it will be tight but an early Saints goal should see the nerves settle! 3-0 to Southampton.

Alex and Christian vs The Guests

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