Championship 2025/26 Preview & Predictions Week 10: Featuring Glen de la Cour | OneFootball

After the international break, Championship sides will be hoping to really gain momentum now. We’re taking a look at how every team will fare, as we approach week 10 already!

Last week, Christian took home the most points with 6, Alex with 5 and our guest Alex, took 2.

This Week’s Guest

This week, we’re delighted to be joined by Southampton fan, guest on Total Saints Podcast and writer of the blog League 1 Minus 10, Glen de la Cour. Make sure to check him out on his X/Twitter account!

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 10 Preview & Predictions

Middlesbrough v IPSWICH TOWN

Middlesbrough dropped to second place in the table after losing their unbeaten streak last weekend, and host an Ipswich Town side hoping to eventually take their automatics spot. It should be a fascinating Friday night under the lights.

Alex’s Prediction: Boro have been really interesting to watch this season, every time I’ve watched them they’ve been phenomenal out of possession. However, with the ball, they aren’t always effective. I’d expect Ipswich’s midfield of Matusiwa and Cajuste to have them numbered. 1-0 to Ipswich.

Christian’s Prediction: Two sides that are heavily contending to challenge for promotion this season, with the Tractor Boys finally hitting their stride, going unbeaten in their last five. Rob Edwards’ Boro suffered a shock defeat to Portsmouth last week, despite hitting over double the xG of their South Coast opponents. 2-1 Ipswich.

Glen’s Prediction: Boro are coming off the back of their first wobble of the season, while Ipswich are showing signs of improvement. I fancy Ipswich to continue their upsurge after their easy derby win. 2-1 to Ipswich.

OXFORD UNITED V DERBY COUNTY

Struggling teams meet, as Oxford United host Derby County. Both sides have just the win each so far this season, and will expect to fight it out at the bottom.

Alex’s Prediction: Neither side will want to lose this one, but Oxford are winless at home. Derby will face a nervous crowd (albeit there’s only three stands) and sniff out an early goal. 1-0 to Derby.

Christian’s Prediction: Derby forwards Carlton Morris and Patrick Agyemang have complemented each other well thus far, with seven goal contributions already. An even game, but Derby held their own, and arguably dominated, Southampton in the last gameweek — 1-0 Derby.

Glen’s Prediction: Too early to call this a six pointer, but both sets of fans will see this game as massive. All three results distinctly possible, so I will fence-sit. 0-0.

QUEENS PARK RANGERS V MILLWALL

QPR, with four wins from their last six, host a Millwall side pushing on this season. Defeated just once in their last five, the Lions will want to take a good result away at London-rivals.

Alex’s Prediction: QPR looked in a state of disarray after losing to Coventry 7-1, and players having spits with the fans, but it’s admirable seeing their recovery since. I can see them carrying on their good form at a fortified Loftus Road. 2-1 to QPR.

Christian’s Prediction: From 2010 onward, this fixture has been very even — 6 wins for each side in the Championship, alongside eight draws. Both sides have squads plagued by injuries, implying an even playing field ahead of the game. 1-1.

Glen’s Prediction: Two sides with decent starts but with Rangers in better recent form, and with them being my ‘under the radar’ tip to do well this season, I can’t see past a fairly comfortable home win. 2-0 to QPR.

SOUTHAMPTON V SWANSEA CITY

Southampton, looking for their first win at home since the opening game of the season, host a Swansea City side in inconsistent form. The Welsh side will hope to produce another upset at St Mary’s, to continue their giant-killing status.

Alex’s Prediction: I’m hoping that after the international break, Will Still will have had more time to bed in the new additions, but they haven’t had a sustained 90 minutes of convincing me so far this season. It will be interesting to see how Swansea approach this, a side with the highest possession stats apart from the three relegated sides. It’ll be a flat St Mary’s, needing cheering up with a goal. 1-0 to Saints.

Christian’s Prediction: Summer signings have yet to improve the Saints, amidst their 17th-place position in the table. Whilst Swansea have endured a marginally better start, Will Still’s Southampton will be eyeing up their third win of the season with their aims of implementing a high intensity approach, against a side they haven’t lost to in over eight years — 3-1 to Saints.

Glen’s Prediction: Saints will start getting it right soon and why not today. 5-0 and 3-0 in the last two home games with the Swans, who have improved, but not that much. 2-0 to Saints.

BIRMINgHAM CITY V HULL CITY

Hosts Birmingham have just one win in their last five, and welcome a Hull side with three wins, three draws and three losses. One of those tallies will have to change on Saturday!

Alex’s Prediction: Both sides have surprised me in seperate ways this season, without being totally excellent. Birmingham’s decent start has turned to a halt, but Hull’s is starting to get going. Both have three wins, draws and losses, but Hull will have four against their name after this one. 3-1 to Birmingham.

Christian’s Prediction: Manager Sergej Jakirovic arrived at Hull relatively unknown ahead of this season, but has shown promise. Birmingham haven’t won in three, but their defensive structure, in the 4-2-3-1, remains sturdier — conceding just 1.22 goals per game to Hull’s 1.78. With just one position in the table separating them, a tight contest is likely. 0-0.

Glen’s Prediction: There was lot’s of early-season expectations for Birmingham, but not the greatest of starts. Expect a McBurnie-led Hull to cause them more problems. 1-1.

CHARLTON ATHELTIC V SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Charlton lost their unbeaten streak last weekend, losing away at Preston North End. They’ll hope to start building that run again, hosting an Owls side who will want to stay away from the bottom of the table. They can do that with the minimum of a point here.

Alex’s Prediction: While it would be hilarious to see Nathan Jones lose to a side on their knees, he’ll probably end up being the one on the floor celebrating against a club planning to boycott Hillsborough in hope of change. 2-0 to Charlton.

Christian’s Prediction: Five years have gone by since these two faced off in the Championship, with the Owls unbeaten in this fixture for the past decade. Despite scoring the joint-third lowest goals in the league (8), Charlton have only conceded 8 too, with three victories to their name — all of which were clean sheets. Wednesday could really suffer away from home, especially with their vast amount of injuries. 3-0 Charlton.

Glen’s Prediction: Nathan Jones is a legend in his own mind and he’s had a decent start to the season.  Expect more touchline antics guaranteed to wind up the opposition fans, but Wednesday fans have a bigger winding up to worry about thanks to their disgrace of an owner. 2-0 to Charlton.

COVENTRY CITY V BLACKBURN ROVERS

High-flying Coventry, the only side in the league still undefeated this season, host a Blackburn Rovers in turmoil. From having to suspend a game they were winning due to a dodgy pitch, to barring a local journalist from their ground, they’ll be looking for a point away at the CBS.

Alex’s Prediction: Coventry are leading all the metrics this season, and Frank Lampard’s Sky Blues will only continue their form against a struggling Rovers. 3-1 to Cov.

Christian’s Prediction: Coventry took six points off Blackburn last season without conceding a single goal. Frank Lampard’s team have adopted a whole new goalscoring mentality this campaign, averaging three goals per game and leading every goal/shot-related metric in the league. Grouping these statistics alongside their high-pressing and attacking-minded philosophy, predict 2-0 to the Sky Blues.

Glen’s Prediction: Is this a banana skin for free-scoring Coventry against a pretty ropey Blackburn side, or is it another 3 points towards Lampard’s journey to get promoted and be the next England manager.? The latter one.  3-0 to Coventry.

NORWICH CITY V BRISTOL CITY

It’s the Liam Manning derby, as the Norwich City boss faces the club he guided into play-off contention last season. Already under pressure, he’ll relieve some of that if he beats the Robins at home here.

Alex’s Prediction: Manning could relieve some pressure over him with a win here, but at the same time could get himself the sack with a loss. Carrow Road will be expectant, and he will deliver against a club he knows all about. 2-1 to Norwich.

Christian’s Prediction: The Robins have averaged the third-most goals per match while remaining solid at the back, leading the league in interceptions and recording over thirty clearances per game! Norwich currently sit 19th in the table. Head coach Liam Manning, who left Bristol City in the summer, has struggled to get his new side firing. Despite their lack of form, a draw is on the cards. 2-2.

Glen’s Prediction: Has Liam Manning been sacked yet? No. He’s against his former club away from home after losing the Ipswich game – ask the same question after the game.  Russell Martin is available. 1-0 to Bristol City.

SHEFFIELD UNITED V WATFORD

Chris Wilder has never been relegated from the Championship as a manager, but sits at the foot of the table, despite returning into the club a month ago. They welcome a Watford side with, you guessed it, a new manager – Javi Gracia, who returns to the Hornets.

Alex’s Prediction: Chris Wilder needs a win desperately, but Javi Gracia may have the ‘managerial bounce’ on his side. That term is mostly a myth, but I can see Watford giving the Blades’ owners a bit of a scare. 1-0 to Watford.

Christian’s Prediction: The situation at Bramall Lane has been the biggest surprise of the season thus far, and one that Wilder and his men will be forced to overcome. Watford have retraced their managerial steps too, reappointing Javi Gracia in a bid to ramp up their promotion ambitions. A manager bounce could be on the cards, 1-0 Watford.

Glen’s Prediction: The Managerial Shambles Derby.  We assume it will be Chris Wilder and Javi Gracia, but it has been a couple of weeks so who knows? The Blades have to improve at some point and stop losing at home, and this is the day. 1-1 .

STOKE CITY V WREXHAM

The Potters, waning after their fantastic start to the season, host a Wrexham side who have been robust on the road this season. Wrexham have defeated the Potters just once historically; however, both of their league victories have come away this season.

Alex’s Prediction: Stoke are suited to playing possession-based teams, so neither side will really want the ball too much in this one. It will just be a matter of who takes their chances, and I think Wrexham will. 1-0 to Wrexham.

Christian’s Prediction: Stoke are one of the strongest defensive sides in the league, with three clean sheets and the lowest goals conceded per match in the division. Wrexham will pose a constant goal threat with their long-ball style. 2-1 Wrexham.

Glen’s Prediction: Faltering early season pacesetters Stoke, against improving Wrexham. but both sides have drawn their last three games so who am I to predict different! 1-1.

WEST BROMWICH ALBION V PRESTON NORTH END

Two sides in and around the play-offs, Ryan Mason’s West Brom host Paul Heckingbottom’s North End. Both managers who have had brief stints in the Premier League, they’ll be hoping to guide their respective sides up this season.

Alex’s Prediction: I can only see this being a draw between two decent sides, but it could easily go either way. 1-1.

Christian’s Prediction: The Baggies have only gained five points at home this season, and Preston have gained five points on the road also. A lively and fairly matched clash will occur, but I’ll lean towards Ryan Mason’s Albion to get the job done, 1-0.

Glen’s Prediction: Preston’s run of 5 undefeated will face a serious test at The Hawthorns and even though The Baggies home form has been somewhat sketchy, I fancy them for 3 points this weekend. 2-1 to West Brom.

LEICESTER CITY V PORTSMOUTH

Leicester City host a Portsmouth side looking to make it three unbeaten in the league, recovering well after a tricky spell. Leicester haven’t looked fantastic at home yet, and will hope to click into gear against Pompey, in an injury crisis of their own.

Alex’s Prediction: Leicester should have the quality to beat a side with some injury woes. 2-1 to the Foxes.

Christian’s Prediction: Marti Cifuentes’ Foxes have drawn their previous two home fixtures and, with Pompey defeating previously-unbeaten Middlesbrough, there won’t be an easy three points for either team. 1-1.

Writers vs Guests Table

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