David Prutton’s Championship score predictions

David Prutton’s Championship score predictions have been revealed ahead of the next round of matches for the 2025/26 season.

The ex-Nottingham Forest, Southampton, Leeds, Swindon, Sheffield Wednesday, and England U21 footballer who currently works as a presenter, pundit, and commentator, has given his verdict.

Watch plenty of games live across Sky Sports with highlights of the other EFL matches on Sky Sports News, ITV and YouTube.

It’s set up to be another exciting season, with many soccer scores to keep an eye on across the world.

Sky Sports duo Simeon Gholam and David Prutton gave a preview heading into the next game of the regular season, predicting the results of every fixture; listen to the podcast below or via any of your regular podcast providers.

MIDDLESBROUGH v WEST BROM

Simeon: Middlesbrough’s perfect start came to an end at Preston last week but they still battled for a late slightly contentious point. They head into the weekend top of the championship tree. West Brom did lose their first game of the season last Saturday somehow managed to lose 1-0 home to Derby who I think that was pretty much the only shot of the game Derby and they won 1-0. But yeah, Middlesbrough obviously got that late equaliser at Preston last week. Naturally, someone had turned the goal line technology off before the game. It’s one of football’s inevitabilities that as soon as that happens, the game is going to be decided by a very contentious, it or didn’t it cross the line moment? I didn’t know it could not work, but you know, fair enough. I’m sure Middlesbrough were delighted. Preston maybe not quite so happy.

David: We got wind of that as we were announcing the games without any kind of real foresight by pure luck. I did say as I was walking back towards where the guests were before we throw to commentators saying, oh just a quick update, Deepdale, the goal decision system’s not working and then I said contentious goal in that game and then as obviously as the results were coming in we saw it go in and I thought oh okay. But yes, it was, well it showed resilience didn’t it? I mean Preston are no mugs at home, are they, because they’re beating both Leicester and Ipswich so it was always going to be a tough match. I think we’re going to call it the Tony Mowbray Derby because we’ve got Mogga in with us on Saturday as well.

Simeon: West Brom, as I said, lost their first game, but it was still a positive performance, just maybe not quite converting opportunities, chances, possession into goals.

David: Well, yeah. And that’s obviously something that I’m sure Ryan spent a lot of time over the last few days making sure that that’s put right. Broadly though, I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen so far with them. And I think this is a very, very good early season test, isn’t it?

Simeon: Middlesbrough have won their last three games against West Brom and haven’t conceded a goal in that time either.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-1 Middlesbrough win

LEICESTER v COVENTRY:

Simeon: Leicester took a point at Oxford last week, despite playing most of the game of 10. Coventry snuck a late point home against Norwich. Again, they really, really dominated, could have got more, but still unbeaten, but three draws out of five games.

David: But still unbeaten, but three draws.

Simeon: But still unbeaten. Leicester have been beaten. Coventry’s still unbeaten, but Leicester have more points. Two attacking teams.

David: Yeah, two of the big hitters, aren’t they? That’s what it is. Two of the teams that would seemingly be in the chat come the end of the season. And the fact that Coventry are very much within the goals Haji Wright right flying, isn’t he? He’s joined top scorer with Josh Sargent so far. So no it is a game that Traditionally, you’d be hoping for these two given the size of them and the ambition that it’s a top six fixture come in at the season. But time will tell. Nice to see where both teams are at early into the season.

Simeon: This, as you said, these two teams realistically both very much at the very least top six contenders expected. At the very minimal and they should be pushing even higher than that. Shouldn’t they, this as a big test of both credentials really, isn’t it?

David: Yeah, I’d say so. And I think given their ability to get something from games that have not necessarily dominated Leicester. I that bodes well for this game. as I said, the free score and nature of what Coventry have been this season under Frank has been a joy to watch. So I’m for one with bit of sparks flying and goals flying as well.

Simeon: Any 90 minutes where you get to watch Abdul Fatawu who plays is always a 90 minutes worth spending.

David: Ah, brilliant. One of the best at the moment in the Championship.

Simeon: If he stays fit all season, he’ll be player of the season. Leicester have only lost two of their last 18 games against Coventry, although one of those was their most recent meeting in January 2024.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-2 draw

BIRMINGHAM v SWANSEA

Simeon: Birmingham back to back defeats, either side of international break have slipped into mid table, no goals in either of those games. We talked a bit earlier in the season, I think about maybe their lack of firepower potentially holding them back this season. Swansea held on late by Hull City last weekend. Of course, it was going to be an Olli McBurnie goal as well to do that against his old side. Birmingham, yeah, just gone a bit quiet the last couple of weeks. Just don’t seem to have that profligacy in front of goal. A lack of clinical edge in front of goal, Birmingham City it seems to be what’s holding them back a little bit from revealing their true potential. Because at the other end of the pitch in midfield, they’re very, very strong.

David: But I also think as well, it’s a reflection on where potentially the Championship sits and what we thought we’d see from Birmingham City. There was an assumption that they would just keep bouncing through but I think I’m not saying they needed a reality check whatsoever. Having spoken to Chris in and around that Leicester City game he knows exactly how tough the job is at hand and what the expectations are and under Alan Sheehan Swansea have shown a real resilience. I think the Hull City game was possibly one they were tested the most so far and that very very very late equaliser from John Egan off the back of all his goals showed that there’s something for them to react to from a concentration point of view. And I think it’s a game that they’ll both be relishing going at two very, very young managers. One very much cutting his teeth early doors, but Chris’s coaching CV speaks for itself. So no again, another one that I’m really looking forward to.

Simeon: Some good players Swansea have this season. Ethan Galbraith, they picked up from Leyton Orient. He’s a real, talent, a real, real one to look out for. Birmingham are unbeaten in the last eight against Swansea. So good. record against them recently.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 1-1 draw

QPR v STOKE

Simeon: Back to back wins for QPR now. They’re starting to look really, really promising have bounced back so well from that trance in Coventry. Stoke as well back to winning ways last week they beat Birmingham, 12 points from the first five games they head into the weekend second in the table so two sides full of confidence. I mean Stoke, QPR they just look like they’ve got firepower up front, Kone scoring, Stoke really really important for them to get that win after losing their last game and just keep the optimism going from the early part of the season under Mark Robins.

David: There’s a lot to like about them. We know what Mark will do with them. Sorba Thomas is a player that he’s getting a tune out of and he’s been a joy to watch. Just keeping him consistent and interested. That’s maybe going to be part of where their season ends up for Stoke. Again, two teams that QPR needed to react. Stoke have started well. It should be a pretty tight game, that one, I reckon.

Simeon: These two both are shot for the top six.

David: Well, I’d say Stoke definitely. QPR have been working in progress. We’ve got a new boss. I’m still trying to work out what his approach and what his philosophy is. But I think given Stoke start, then you’ve got to discuss them in those types of dispatches.

Simeon: Harvey Vale, a good player for QPR as well, has made a difference in the last couple of games. QPR have just two wins in their last eight games against Stoke City.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-0 Stoke win

MILLWALL v WATFORD

Simeon: Millwall steady start seven points on the board that late draw at Charlton last time out Watford just the one win so far. Yeah it’s a chance for Millwall I think we’re maybe expecting a little bit more from this season Watford we just never really know what to expect going into any season with them.

David: We don’t know what to get.

Simeon: Yeah. Apart from Nestory Irankunda, free kick wonder kid.

David: Well that means Alex Neil made the point didn’t he about the first half last week against Charlton where he was as angry as he’s been. thus far as Millwall manager, which just goes to show what he expects from his players. There was a reaction, helped of course by a red card. However, they were better in the second half. So I think, mean, the fact that they have won all their points needs to change at some stage, doesn’t it? And what better time to do it than something that’s not quite a derby, Millwall Watford.

Simeon: Strange because we always talk about, you know, Fortress Den. I think it’s almost the cliche of it’s a tough place to go, but as you said, all their points on the road so far, that needs to change. Maybe it’ll change on a raucous, raucous Monday night. Watford have you seen much from them to get excited about this season aside from the free kick-taker extraordinaire?

David: Individually, they’ve got some players that can change games, just think as a collective, don’t really know what… Again, you’re saying about what to expect. You expect them to be a team that should be knocking around the top six. They’ve not done that for a bit. I genuinely don’t know. Another manager that’s coming to the division that we’re still trying to work out how they’re going to approach it. So yeah, I don’t know. And I just think given what I’ve seen from Millwall, given the fact that Alex will want these points accrued at home, it seems to me like Watford, the visitors on Monday night, the perfect opponents.

Simeon: Watford have just two wins in the last eight games against Millwall, however, although their most recent visit to the Den in August 2024 did result in a win.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-1 Millwall win

BLACKBURN v IPSWICH

Simeon: Blackburn snuck a win out Watford last time out. Ipswich thumped Sheffield United 5-0, their first win of the season.

David: Good game this. Todd Cantwell pulling the strings for Blackburn at the moment isn’t he? Against of course bitter rivals Ipswich from his Norwich days but they were irrepressible against Sheffield United.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-1 Ipswich win

DERBY v PRESTON

Simeon: First win of the season for Derby at West Brom last weekend. Preston, as we’ve talked about earlier, a little bit unlucky to be held by Middlesbrough.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 1-0 Preston win

HULL v SOUTHAMPTON

Simeon: Hull nick the late pointer, Swansea last weekend. Southampton got that drab. draw with Portsmouth that I just never really want to think about again because it so underwhelming. It physically under, it drained my soul watching that game.

David: Missed firing at the moment at Southampton, aren’t they?

David Prutton’s score prediction: 1-1 draw

NORWICH v WREXHAM

Simeon: Norwich held late on at Coventry last weekend. Wrexham beaten at home by QPR has not been a great start for the North Welsh club.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-1 Norwich win

PORTSMOUTH v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Simeon: Portsmouth got a point at Southampton last time out. I don’t want to talk about it ever again. Sheffield Wednesday beaten at home by Bristol City of course lost at home to Grimsby in the cup in the week as well.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-0 Pompey win

SHEFFIELD UNITED v CHARLTON

Simeon: Sheffield United, Chris Wilder back in charge, did a good job at Sheffield United last season so I can see why Sheffield United would have wanted him, I think the club generally just want to just pretend the last few weeks has never happened so should we just go along with that?

David: Yeah that’s a good shout, that’s absolutely ridiculous isn’t it?

Simeon: Yeah, good time him back though Chris.

David: Yeah really good, I’ve got a lot of time for him on there personally I thought he did a great job obviously up against two teams that were absolutely fantastic and was 45 minutes away from a very straightforward winning the player final. However, em things didn’t quite work out that way, of course. A change with Ruben, who I’ll always say I’ve got a lot of time for, given his approach and his diligence to his craft, doesn’t quite know this last couple of months has chucked up. Hopefully he can process that. He’s going to make him a better manager. Just didn’t seem the right fit from the off did he, really, with the greatest respect. And whether Sheffield United needs a unique leader like Chris Wilder, who you’ll soon see, who’s so allied to what that club and that city is, at some stage you’re to have to come away from that because you can’t just have people born and bred there that do particularly wonderful things with the team, can you? You’ve got to be able to be as broad-minded as possible. But Chris was the right man, I thought, last season. I thought Chris was the right man who was going to be at the start of this season and I think he’s the right man right now. It fits, you’ll probably see a reaction. The players have to take a lot of the blame as well because they’re woefully underperformed, woefully underperformed. But that combination of right manager at the wrong time, players not playing well have led to the departure of Ruben and we wish him all the best. And then you get the chance or the sense really that the Chris Wilder party starts again.

Simeon: Charlton held late by Millwall last week. What’s the score going to be?

David: I think we’ve got to say they’ve got to start with a win even though obviously Jonesy will be hell bent on ruining that particular party. I just think it’s set up for that first game back for him at Bramall Lane and it’ll be close but I see a Sheffield United 2-1 win.

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-1 Sheffield United win

BRISTOL CITY v OXFORD

Bristol City still unbeaten Oxford still without a win. What’s the score going to be Ashton Gate?

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-0 Bristol City win

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