EFL Championship 2025/26 Preview & Predictions Week 22: Featuring SaintsExtra | OneFootball

The Christmas period is underway, as we head into week 22 of the Attacking Football EFL Championship predictions!

Last week, writers Alex and Christian once again defeated their guest, with everyone now above the 100-point mark in the league table. Will they come out on top once more, or could their next guest reaffirm their position at the top?

This Week’s Guest

This week, we’re delighted to be joined by SaintsExtra — an account dedicated to providing in-depth facts, information and all the latest news for Southampton FC. Make sure to check them out!

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 22 Preview & Predictions

Swansea v Wrexham

Wrexham are winless in their last seven away outings, while Swansea are undergoing a new manager bounce, winning both of their past two home fixtures.

Alex’s Prediction: A Friday night Wales derby, this has the potential of being a great game. With both sides in great form at the moment, I can see a high-scoring draw. 2-2.

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides have picked up six wins, but Swansea’s 10 losses put them five points behind their Welsh opponents. Wrexham, however, have just one win in their past six, and could be punished by Vitor Matos’ men. 2-1 Swansea.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Swansea have seen an improvement in performances and results under new manager Vitor Matos, while Wrexham are without a win now in four league matches. I can see the Swans narrowly taking the points in this Welsh derby. 2-1 Swansea.

Blackburn v Millwall

It’s been a poor run of form for Blackburn, going five games on the bounce without a victory. Alex Neil’s Millwall have had an inconsistent campaign thus far, alternating between runs of wins and spells of purely draws and losses.

Alex’s Prediction: Blackburn are one of the poorer sides in the division, and going up against a great side, Millwall, I can only see this game going one way. 2-0 to Millwall.

Christian’s Prediction: Blackburn are lingering above the relegation spots. A loss this Saturday could drop them back into it. They’ve lost just once to Millwall since 2021, unbeaten in eight. Millwall have won three of their last matches, including an away win over Bristol City, and average more goals scored, but actually concede more per 90. A tight contest, but the Lions look set to come out on top, 3-1 Millwall.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Expecting a reasonably low-scoring game between two quite stubborn defensive sides, but Millwall have shown a knack for picking up results so far this season. 1-0 Millwall.

Preston North End v Norwich

Norwich have turned a tide under manager Philippe Clement, with just one loss in their past five. Preston North End host the Canaries, with Paul Heckingbottom’s side unbeaten in five and currently occupying 3rd place in the Championship.

Alex’s Prediction: Two teams that look very well-coached at the moment, this should be a very good match-up at Deepdale. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Norwich fought valiantly against the Saints last weekend, deservedly earning their second win at home under Clement. Deepdale has seen just two losses for North End and has the ninth strongest home record in the division. Recent form favours Preston, 2-0.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Two sides in good form, with the hosts unbeaten in five and Norwich boosted by the win over Saints last weekend. I can see an entertaining score draw here. 2-2.

Southampton v Coventry

Southampton are unbeaten against Coventry at home since 2000, with the Sky Blues last winning at the Dell, having not won at St Mary’s since then. Frank Lampard’s Coventry have suffered their only defeats on the road — a crucial test for both teams.

Alex’s Prediction: Another game between two very in-form teams. The Saints could make a statement to the rest of the Championship with a big result and, in turn, make it five unbeaten at St Mary’s. 2-1 to Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: While having the most clean sheets in the Championship, Coventry are prone to conceding, as are their South Coast opponents. Lampard’s men have scored 26 both at home and away, but have conceded double the amount on the road. Southampton are four wins on the bounce on home turf, averaging three goals per 90. 2-2.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: A huge game for Saints after the disappointment at Norwich last weekend and a great chance to add to a run of four home wins in a row. Coventry are five points clear for a reason, though, and as much as I’d love to predict another home victory, I think there’ll be plenty of goals and the points shared. 2-2.

Bristol City v Middlesbrough

Bristol City have won all four previous meetings with Middlesbrough. Both sides have their eyes set on promotion, but Boro sit twelve points above the Robins coming into this one.

Alex’s Prediction: Some really high-quality games are on this weekend, as is this one – I can foresee an excellent one for the neutrals. 2-2.

Christian’s Prediction: Just three goals have been scored in the past five for the Robins, compared to 13 for Middlesbrough. Ranking second for away form, Kim Hellburg’s men are unbeaten in their last four outings on the road, and will look to maintain that form. 2-1 Boro.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Boro have been pretty much perfect since the appointment of Kim Hellberg and it’s difficult to look past them making it five wins in a row here against a Bristol City side who have found points difficult to come by lately. 2-1 Middlesbrough.

Charlton v Oxford

Oxford have won the past three meetings between these sides — with an aggregate of 7-2 — while Charlton haven’t won in the past six matches this season. Neither side is in form, but who will edge this clash at the bottom end of the table?

Alex’s Prediction: Nathan Jones’ Charlton need to find some form again, and at home against one of the Championship’s weakest sides, they should do that here. 1-0 to Charlton.

Christian’s Prediction: Oxford have yet to keep a clean sheet in their past 11 matches. Charlton avergae just one goal per game (less than Oxford) but boasts a stronger defence. It’s a pivotal game for both sides, but Gary Rowett’s men could grind out a result. 1-1.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: This feels like a huge one for both sides, with five league positions and points separating the two. Charlton did well to arrest their slide last time out with a draw away to Birmingham, after previously losing five in a row. Oxford are in desperate need of points but I think the hosts will nick this one. 1-0 Charlton.

Derby v Portsmouth

Five of the last six meetings between these sides have ended in draws, but Derby are currently the far stronger outfit, scoring thirteen more than Pompey.

Alex’s Prediction: Derby are a good outfit at home, and against a poor Pompey, they should be winning this game comfortably. 3-0 to Derby.

Christian’s Prediction: Portsmouth haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six, sit 21st and could fall to 23rd if results don’t go their way. It’s been a poor start to the campaign, but they did win over the weekend against Blackburn. Derby also ended their three-game winless streak, defeating Sheffield Wednesday. Pompey boasts the worst away record in the league, and could suffer once again. 3-2 Derby.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Both sides have really struggled for form in recent weeks but picked up important wins last time out. Portsmouth, though, have the worst away record in the Championship and so it feels easy to side with Derby here. 2-1 Derby.

Hull v West Brom

The Tigers occupy just within the playoffs, looking to build and propel themselves further. West Brom, meanwhile, sit sixteenth, but a 2-0 win over Sheffield United has continued their unbeaten run at home.

Alex’s Prediction: West Brom really need a result here, for Ryan Mason’s sake, but going away to a side that can be free scoring in Hull is a difficult game. 2-1 to Hull.

Christian’s Prediction: The Baggies have lost two of their past three away fixtures, conceding six goals in those defeats. Hull striker Oli McBurnie has the highest conversion rate of any striker in the league, with left back Ryan Giles leading the entire division for big chances created. From Hull’s home record compared to West Brom’s form on the road, expect a Tigers victory. 1-0 Hull.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Hull have done very well to bounce back from a thrashing at the hands of Middlesbrough and win their last two games; the 3-1 win at Millwall last weekend was particularly impressive. West Brom also claimed a strong victory, at home to Sheffield United, but they’ve lost their last seven away matches and that run may well continue. 3-1 Hull.

Ipswich v Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls are 43 points behind Ipswich. It’s been 14 matches since Sheffield Wednesday won, and it’s a monumental task this weekend.

Alex’s Prediction: Ipswich are starting to pick up a run of form, and they should keep it up here, against a struggling Wednesday. 4-0 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: The Tractor Boys have scored over double the goals, achieved two wins from two the last time these sides were in the Championship and haven’t lost in their past five at home. 3-0 Ipswich.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Ipswich will no doubt be looking to bounce back from the defeat at Leicester last weekend and they have arguably the perfect fixture to do so. Their home form has been strong with wins over Coventry and Stoke recently, while Wednesday, despite a superb effort, can’t seem to buy three points at the moment. 3-0 Ipswich.

QPR v Leicester

Both sides have lost two of their past five, but Leicester are unbeaten in three, with QPR suffering a 3-1 loss last weekend.

Alex’s Prediction: The Hoops are having a better season than their upcoming opponents, Leicester, where boss Marti Cifuentes is really struggling. I think it will be a routine win for the home side. 2-0 to QPR.

Christian’s Prediction: QPR have won their past three home matches, scoring eight goals in the process. Leicester haven’t kept a clean sheet in fifteen matches, but have seemingly turned a new corner under Marti Cifuentes, the former QPR boss. Their away form has improved, and could continue to do so. 3-2 Leicester.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: QPR are quietly having a very solid season and have won their last three home games, but Leicester’s slight resurgence over the last few weeks means I’m going with a draw here. 1-1.

Sheffield United v Birmingham

It’s been seven straight matches since Birmingham last kept a clean sheet, while Sheffield United have scored 11 goals in their last five.

Alex’s Prediction: The Blades are finally picking up some form, and against a Birmingham side experiencing a drop-off, it should be a tightly contested game. 2-1 to Sheffield United.

Christian’s Prediction: Birmingham’s away form continues to restrict them. Their performances dip too much, with their last away win against Preston in October. The Blades haven’t lost at home in the last four and have been rejuvenated under Chris Wilder. 2-1 to Sheffield United.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Another Championship side really struggling for away form at the moment is Birmingham. They’re without a win in their last five on the road, while Sheffield United have looked free scoring at Bramall Lane over the last few weeks and I’m backing them for a big win, 3-1.

Watford v Stoke

Watford have made Vicarage Road a fortress, with just one loss this season. Stoke are in a rough spell at the moment, and will need to fix their average away record.

Alex’s Prediction: The Hornets are a decent Championship side but Stoke are even better. 2-1 to Stoke.

Christian’s Prediction: Draws have been a common occurrence for the Hornets recently, with three in their last five. Four points separate these sides, given Stoke’s drop-off to seventh. Watford have accumulated just one clean sheet, but their home form is pivotal. 1-1.

SaintsExtra’s Prediction: Watford have quietly put together an impressive eight-game unbeaten run at Vicarage Road, and they’ve only lost three of 12 since Javi Gracia’s return. Meanwhile, Stoke have lost their last three away games and so a home win feels like the right pick for this one. 2-1 Watford.

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