Week 2 Championship Predictions: Journalist Alan Nixon takes on Alex and Christian | OneFootball

After a fascinating week one, the Championship, is back already!

A fantastic late winner at St Mary’s meant one of our writers got a correct result in week one, where a late Birmingham goal robbed our special guest of one! The first set of results was not short of drama to say the least. Make sure to check out how it panned out by reading to the end for our writers vs guests league table.

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 correct outcome

See the end of every article for the league table.

This Week’s Guest

We’re delighted to say that this week’s special guest is journalist Alan Nixon! Make sure to check him out on his socials.

Gameweek Two Predictions

Derby County v Coventry City

Both sides will look to build off of fairly negative starts. Both sides have big hopes for progression in the future, so this game will be a clash of two hopefuls!

Alex’s Prediction: Coventry should have too much in this one, despite Derby recruiting well. It won’t be easy going away to Pride Park, but the Sky Blues should take home the win. 2-1 Coventry

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides underperformed in their opening games, so improvements will be crucial on Saturday. Recency favours Derby, who won both league encounters last season. Despite injury worries, I’ll go Rams. 2-1 Derby.

Alan’s Prediction: Rams are still feeling their way and looking for more players. Coventry looks like one of the stronger sides. A tight Derby. 1-1.

Portsmouth v Norwich

Two sides who are assured in the Championship after solid summers. Portsmouth had a great first result on the road, but the pressure will be on Norwich boss Liam Manning to win away at Fratton Park.

Alex’s Prediction: Portsmouth are difficult to play against at Fratton Park, which seems to be a fortress for them at times. Liam Manning is a good manager, though I think Norwich may come away victorious. 1-0 Norwich.

Christian’s Prediction: Portsmouth began with a much-needed away win at Oxford. Norwich’s Josh Sargent alone tends to bring goals, and the Canaries are more than capable of claiming three points. 2-0 Norwich.

Alan’s Prediction: Pompey are always tough at home but Norwich have a goal threat in Sargent. Again it looks too close to call. 1-1.

Wrexham v West Brom

Two sides that have recruited astutely this summer, it will be a clash of identities! Ryan Mason will hope for a slightly more assured win than on opening day, where Wrexham will hope to rise after a stunning loss.

Alex’s Prediction: I think West Brom cause some troubles but Wrexham hold out for a solid first point of the season. 0-0.

Christian’s Prediction: Ryan Mason’s Baggies won their opening game against Blackburn, despite a late red card, and will look to build on this form against Wrexham, who fell short in their Championship return last week. 3-2 West Brom.

Alan’s Prediction: Big ambitions but a big step up for Wrexham who will find Baggies a handful and trying to play a new way. 1-0 West Brom.

Blackburn v Birmingham

Two Northern sides who will hope to improve upon the opening day. Birmingham will want to get that first win under their belt, where Blackburn won’t want to lose so early on at home.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Birmingham getting a statement result here at Ewood Park, Chris Davies’ side are looking confident in their bounce up to the Championship. 3-1 Birmingham.

Christian’s Prediction: Blackburn Rovers have faced a rough summer regarding their marquee players, while Birmingham City head into the season full of optimism, momentum and fresh players who are proven and capable at higher levels. That contrast should help the Blues claim their first win. 1-0 Birmingham.

Alan’s Prediction: Rovers have a lot of transfer questions right now and won’t want to go behind. Blues fancy themselves this season and may have too much. 2-1 Birmingham.

Bristol City v Charlton

Two sides who will be up for it after wonderful starts to the season. Bristol City with Gerhard Struber looked electric on the opening day, where Nathan Jones’ Charlton side are playing up to their role as underdogs for the season.

Alex’s Prediction: Charlton will set up to play on the counter here, but I think Bristol City will be far too dangerous in possession for them to cope. 1-0 Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides recorded impressive wins last week, and this clash in Bristol presents Nathan Jones’ team with their first real away test. Gerhard Struber’s men are eyeing a play-off push, but the hosts’ clinical finishing and sharp transitions may see them sneak a narrow victory. 2-1 Bristol City.

Alan’s Prediction: Robins off to a flier and playing with a lot of flair and pace. Charlton will be on a high too. Can see a red card influence this. 2-1 Bristol City.

Millwall v Middlesbrough

Two sides off the back of opening day victories will hope to go two for two here. Middlesbrough are in a big period of change visiting The Den.

Alex’s Prediction: Millwall should win at their home ground, they will be set up well by Alex Neil. Middlesbrough look solid but I fear they will be beaten away from home – Rob Edwards doesn’t have an amazing away record. 2-1 Millwall.

Christian’s Prediction: Middlesbrough edged past Swansea 1-0 with a set-piece goal, but revealed current weaknesses in a 4-0 cup defeat to Doncaster. Millwall looked comfortable in their win at Norwich, and with the home crowd behind them, they could secure a commanding victory. 3-0 Millwall.

Alan’s Prediction: Alex Neil will make the Lions a danger this season, and they could be too united for a Boro side who may lose some of their best men. 2-0 Millwall.

Preston v Leicester

Leicester will hope for a steadier start than against Sheffield Wednesday, against a Preston side that looks weak this season.

Alex’s Prediction: I think Leicester win, just. They should have the quality but I am not totally convinced by Cifuentes. 2-0 Leicester.

Christian’s Prediction: Despite an underwhelming win over Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester have started the season positively and kept, as of now, key players Fatawu and El-Khanouss. Preston may not be promotion contenders, but they’ll make Deepdale a tough atmosphere for the Foxes. 1-0 Leicester.

Alan’s Prediction: North End short up top and may toil if they do not start well. Foxes have a bit about them before they lose a star or two; they may be too strong. 2-0 Leicester.

Sheff Wed v Stoke

Sheffield Wednesday’s fans will hope to overrule Chansiri’s damaging ownership by staying up this season, but with late wages and a thin squad, Stoke will look to beat them here.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Stoke easily winning, especially with the Owls without Barry Bannan. Sorry to Wednesday, but I am probably going to predict them losing most games this season. 2-0 Stoke.

Christian’s Prediction: A surprisingly strong performance from the Owls last week against Leicester showed potential for the upcoming campaign. While Mark Robins’ side looked very strong in their win against Derby, the Hillsborough crowd will be crucial in picking up points over the season, 1-1.

Alan’s Prediction: Wednesday’s woes will cost them, players not fully prepared, and a small squad picking up injuries. Stoke need to be in ruthless form and think they will. 3-0 Stoke.

Swansea v Sheffield United

Swansea look exciting, wheras Sheffield United have started poorly under new man Ruben Selles. The Spaniard will hope to go to Wales for three points, in order to relax the Blades fans after two losses early on in the season.

Alex’s Prediction: I can see Sheffield United winning, despite a torrid start to the season. Selles needs to lose a bit of the pressure here. 1-0 Sheffield United.

Christian’s Prediction: Although Bristol City hammered the Blades 4-1, the first half showed promise under Ruben Selles, who hasn’t held back on his transfer frustrations. Swansea struggled going forward last week and could be exposed by Sheffield United’s firepower, 2-0 Sheffield United.

Alan’s Prediction: Swans may have an edge as Blades have question marks about a lot of positions right now. Good time to play them. 2-1 Swansea.

Watford v QPR

Two mainstays in the Championship meet in search of their first win of the season. Two ambitious London clubs, with some clever signings each this window so far!

Alex’s Prediction: I can see this one being tight – both have made some astute signings in Irankunda and Poku! I can see QPR winning away from home, though. 1-0 QPR.

Christian’s Prediction: QPR have been ambitious this transfer window, with highly anticipated striker Richard Kone set to join the squad. On paper, this one looks evenly matched and could well end in a stalemate. 0-0.

Alan’s Prediction: Two unpredictable sides and with no visible form yet. May cancel each other out in the early season circumstances. 0-0.

Ipswich v Southampton

The two favourites clash on week two, after Ipswich are set to lose two key players in Nathan Broadhead and Omari Hutchinson. Saints will fancy their chances to go two wins from two, but a trip to a lively Portman Road won’t be easy!

Alex’s Prediction: Ipswich have had a rough week and I can see Saints capitalising on this with a dramatic result. This fixture always produces fireworks, 2-1 Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: Both sides struggled to settle in the opening week, but Will Still’s men eventually found their rhythm against Wrexham’s low block at the death. This could be an ideal chance to face the Tractor Boys, who scraped a draw with Birmingham and were surprisingly defeated by Bromley on Tuesday. 2-1 Saints.

Alan’s Prediction: Two relegated sides and promotion favourites. Both in a state of change too. Good players at the level in both sides. Both have scorers. 2-2.

Hull v Oxford

Two sides destined for a relegation battle meet in a game that neither will want to lose. Hull have a transfer embargo but will go into this one hopeful.

Alex’s Prediction: Should be a close game, I think it will be one of those that doesn’t have many chances. 0-0.

Christian’s Prediction: Hull City defied the odds last week to earn a point against promotion-chasing Coventry. With Oli McBurnie hitting the net midweek and Oxford struggling at home against Portsmouth, the Tigers could edge it. 1-0 Hull.

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