EFL Championship 2025/26 Preview & Predictions Week 20: Featuring Saints Analysis | OneFootball

It’s the 20th edition of our weekly 2025/26 Championship preview and predictions! As the Christmas period enters full flow, this is where the Championship is at its best.

Last week, Alex and Christian went up against Tactical Toffee, who came a close second with five points, falling just short to Alex. Who will come out on top this week?

This Week’s Guest

This week, we’re delighted to be joined by Saints Analysis, an account dedicated to providing in-depth stats and analysis for Southampton – 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 20 Preview & Predictions

Blackburn Rovers v Oxford United

With both sides hovering above the relegation zone, and just one win in their past five, this upcoming fixture could be pivotal heading into the Christmas period.

Alex’s Prediction: After a decent run of form, it’s back to reality for Ismael’s Rovers. Similarly, Oxford United have one win in their last five – it’s two very poor sides meeting. Will the game even reach a climax with the state of Ewood Park’s pitch? 0-0.

Christian’s Prediction: Oxford haven’t kept a clean sheet in eight matches, with their defence leaking an average of 1.42 goals per 90. Blackburn’s home form has been dismal, however, draws against Ipswich and Wrexham have showed potential in their last two outings. 1-1.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Can see Blackburn nicking this one on their own turf (if their own turf isn’t waterlogged). 1-0 Blackburn.

Charlton Athletic v Middlesbrough

It’s been five years since these two met, and the away side look the far stronger outfit. With 13 points separating them, it feels inevitable that Charlton will suffer defeat once again…

Alex’s Prediction: The home side have lost their last four, so a game against second-place Middlesbrough, who look even better under Hellberg than they were under Edwards, is quite the proposition. 3-1 to Boro.

Christian’s Prediction: Boro rank second for away form, accumulating 16 points on the road. Before playing Southampton, Nathan Jones’ side were formidable at home, but their form remains on the decline, especially after playing the likes of Coventry and Stoke. 2-0 to Hellberg’s men.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Charlton’s form has fallen off a cliff, and Middlesbrough have kept things rolling under their new manager. 2-0 Middlesbrough.

Preston North End v Coventry City

Frank Lampard’s side have reached 50 goals in just 18 games – the quickest since the 1958-59 season. Preston haven’t won at home in their past two, and will need a perfect performance if they want to get anything out of today.

Alex’s Prediction: Preston’s form is starting to wane, while Coventry’s is not. Top of the league by a huge margin and playing great football, the Sky Blues should win this through sheer quality. 2-0 to Cov.

Christian’s Prediction: Sides haven’t been able to keep up with Coventry’s high-intensity and rather direct 4-2-3-1. It’s yielded only two losses in 19, and North End have lost once in their past five with only one loss. 3-1 to the Sky Blues.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Coventry to keep their promotion charge pushing forward. 3-0 Coventry.

Sheffield United v Norwich City

Sheffield United are unbeaten against Norwich in their last nine clashes. The Blades are in their best form of the season, with the Canaries grabbing just one win since August.

Alex’s Prediction: The Blades are top of the form table and in excellent shape to win this one, but the Canaries have a manager bounce. It should be a close game. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Starting two strikers has been key for Sheffield United. The rotations and attacking movements have significantly improved. It will be tough for Norwich to match this newfound intensity under Chris Wilder. 2-1 to Sheffield United.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: The Blades have really picked up recently and can see them winning this comfortably. 3-1 Sheffield United.

Southampton v West Bromwich Albion

The Baggies haven’t kept a clean sheet in their past six outings, with the Saints scoring 18 in their past six, averaging three per game.

Alex’s Prediction: Saints are smashing it at the moment, and West Brom are not. It should be a similar affair to Saints’ on the weekend, where the opposition dominate proceedings but Eckert’s side play the better football. 2-1 to Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: These two sides played each other four times in the 2023/24 campaign, with the Saints going unbeaten. Current form heavily favours Southampton, who will be aiming to make it four wins from four at home. 2-1 Southampton.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Saints are playing some great stuff whilst West Brom lack consistently currently. 2-0 to Southampton.

Swansea v Portsmouth

Portsmouth have endured a poor start to the season, occupying a relegation spot. A win could see them escape, but Swansea will be desperate to avoid being dragged even further from 20th.

Alex’s Prediction: The Swans look like a better side under new manager Vitor Matos. I think he’ll guide them to safety this season comfortably. The away side, meanwhile, I’m tipping to go down. 2-0 to Swansea.

Christian’s Prediction: Swansea have shown they can defeat fellow relegation opposition, defeating Oxford 2-0 last weekend. Pompey struggle to score goals, and could fall short narrowly. 1-0 Swansea.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Both sides need a win to ease their worries but think it’ll be all square. 0-0.

Watford v Sheffield Wednesday

The Owls last saw victory on the road, but playing Watford at Vicarage Road poses a huge task for Henrik Pedersen’s men.

Alex’s Prediction: Watford are picking up results without looking like the greatest of sides, which is always important. They should easily beat this poor Owls side. 3-1 to Watford.

Christian’s Prediction: Watford have suffered one loss since the turnover of November and will aim for a statement victory over Sheffield Wednesday. 4-1 to the Hornets.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Watford have been steady of late and will get the points here. 2-1 Watford.

Queens Park Rangers v Birmingham

Both sides sit mid-table on 28 points. A win for either of them would propel them into the playoff conversation.

Alex’s Prediction: The hosts are in very good form at the moment and look like potential play-off candidates. Birmingham will want to recover from defeat away on the weekend and stay tight. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: Another away fixture for Birmingham, another loss? Chris Davies has noticed his side’s dip in form on the road, but it’s too much to turn around in three days. Leftus Road has seen only three losses, with the R’s only losing to Southampton and Ipswich. 2-1 QPR.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Both looking up rather than down and it’ll be a share of the spoils. 2-2.

Bristol City v Leicester

Sitting seventh, the Robins have had a hugely inconsistent season so far. Pivotal wins have been undermined by surprise losses at home. Leicester are aiming to build on the foundation established after beating Derby 3-1 on the weekend.

Alex’s Prediction: Two sides that are capable of scoring goals aplenty on their day, it will be down to who keeps the most solid at the back. I think it will be Bristol City at Ashton Gate. 2-1 to Bristol City.

Christian’s Prediction: Marti Cifuentes’ side have won two of the past three on the road, but are incapable of keeping a clean sheet at the moment. Bristol City will need to capitalise at Ashton Gate, with key player Anis Mehmeti at the forefront. 3-2 Bristol City.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Can see Bristol City edging this one 2-1.

Derby County v Millwall

Millwall have been the surprise package of the season. Just two points from the automatics with their opposition, Derby, languishing in the bottom half of the table.

Alex’s Prediction: Two really decent Championship sides, I think this should be a close encounter. 2-2. 

Christian’s Prediction: Three consecutive games have seen Millwall pick up nine points, while Derby have begun to slip. With Millwall’s clean sheet strength, expect a comfortable and professional display. 1-0.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Millwall look a usual outfit this season and will get a fourth straight win here. 2-0. 

Ipswich v Stoke

The Tractor Boys have arrived. Thumping Coventry will be a massive boost as they host the Potters, who are on the decline.

Alex’s Prediction: The Blues need to pick up some sustained form, and their win against top-of-the-league Coventry on Saturday should be that springboard. 2-1 to Ipswich. 

Christian’s Prediction: Stoke are just one point short of Ipswich, but have seen a recent slump in form, dropping them to sixth. Ipswich are an on-and-off team, but they may be too much for Mark Robins’ men at the moment. 2-1 Ipswich.

Saints Analysis’ Prediction: Two teams well in the promotion race and a point apiece once here. 1-1.

Hull City v Wrexham

These two teams met earlier in the campaign, with Wrexham winning the 3-3 clash through penalties. Hull haven’t kept a clean sheet in six matches, while Wrexham are unbeaten in seven.

Alex’s Prediction: An in-form Wrexham travel to Hull, and it’s a match-up against two teams good at going direct. I like the look of Hull and think they will get the win at home. 1-0 to Hull. 

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