David Prutton’s Championship score predictions have been revealed ahead of the next round of matches for the 2024/25 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 Luton Town v QPR, Burnley v Blackburn Rovers, Cardiff City v Middlesbrough, Coventry City v Norwich City and Sheffield United v Watford live across Sky Sports with highlights of the other EFL matches on Sky Sports News, ITV and YouTube.
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.
Luton v QPR
Simeon: It’s Luton Town versus Queens Park Rangers live on Sky Sports Football from 7:30PM, kickoff 8PM. Luton, not a good start. Just a point so far. One goal scored. In fact, QPR also winless, but 2 draws. Marti Cifuentes was very frustrated by the result in Plymouth last week. They drew one one, and they finished the game against 9 men. So probably should’ve got all first win of the season out of that one, but still a chance for both to get off the mark win wise. Before the international break.
David: Yes. And that’s going round very quickly, isn’t it? But, yeah, the QPR game would have been frustrating given the fact, as you say, all of the second half are probably two thirds of the game against 10 men and then the last few minutes against 9. But when you’ve got a goalkeeper as Connor Hazard was in that type of inspired form, then sometimes you can come away from that, yes, frustrated, but, taking a little bit of positivity, but Lyndon Dykes situation ahead of the game didn’t help. Marti Cifuentes is not happy about that. And as for Luton, yeah, maybe I don’t know. Maybe is it just a bit of teething problems getting back to this level given how wonderful they were getting promoted and and what they the last season’s brought in the Premier League potentially. But I’ve got no doubts at all. They’ll slowly get themselves into game.
Simeon: We can’t reveal when we’re recording this, but we are recording this before deadline day, so we don’t know exactly what the makeup of these teams might be like by Friday night. Of course, these 2 teams playing on deadline day, so we might see Rob Edwards rushing around getting some deals done at half time, like, on Sky, that kind of thing. You never know. It’s not likely, but you never know. Our QPR fan, Bobby, says, ‘with new players getting minutes under their belts over the last couple of games, I think the losing game will be the first signs of the side that’s starting to gel’, and he has gone for a 2-1 QPR win. And QPR have a good recent record against Luton. They’ve lost just 2 of the last 12 away in league games against them. Although one of those defeats was their most recent visit there a couple of years ago in 2022. What’s the score going to be at the Kenny on Friday night?
David: Well, can we read read anything into them against each other in the Carabao Cup with QPR win on on penalties? Possibly not. Love delving deep into both sides and who’s been picked to do what. I’m gonna go for 1-1.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is a 1-1 draw.
Burnley v Blackburn
Simeon: Saturday at lunchtime, now the first of our plethora of EFL games. It’s Burnley versus Blackburn Rovers, Live and Sky Sports Football from 11 AM kickoff 12:30 PM. Burnley had a bit of a setback at Sunderland last Saturday after they looked a little bit invincible in the first couple of games. There’s lots of upheaval as well or seeming upheaval. Again, we don’t know too much about that when we’re recording this, but by Saturday, their score could look very different. So let’s just be very vague about that from this. This is a very big derby, though. That is something we can be sure of. Blackburn have started well. 7 points so far. Good comeback to beat Oxford last week after Mark Harris’s wonder goal. Big game this for both. Especially in that part of the country.
David: Oh yeah, Lancashire, this is this is massive. And I think given, as you say, what we’ve seen over the past kind of, couple of weeks, I was surprised that Burnley lost to Sunderland, but then I’m doing Sunderland a disservice there because they’ve been very, very good. And as for, Blackburn, it’s two Lancashire derbies on the bounce, isn’t it? Considering they played, Blackpool in the Carabao Cup. But in those opening games, Luton and Cardiff, as you say, I love the fact you said it looks a little bit invincible, which in itself is an utterly meaningless phrase. It’s a little bit immoral, this one, until he dies.
Simeon: I’ll caveat it with those a lot of you know, when a a relegated team starts very well in the Championship and there’s a lot of talk on Twitter of how unfair it all is, and they’ve got, of course, just too good for everyone, and they’re gonna I think it happened a bit with Leicester at the start last season. Leicester did go up, but they started and looked as if they were gonna win 46 games out 46 and then didn’t in the end. So it does the Championship is always more complicated than people expect.
David: It is. It is. But as you say, I’ve I’ve been intrigued to see what the squads are made up of come the kickoff on Saturday. But, undoubtedly, a Blackburn side under John Eustace that have started well, as I said, take away the Carabao Cup stuff. But it’s firmly in Burnley’s favour, isn’t it? I think them being amongst the favorites, if not the favorites, for, promotion has a an extra spice to this. And do you know what? I’ve I’ve really the games that we did at Turf Moor, on-site, which we’re not obviously on-site for this because of all of our Sky Sports + commitments, which is brilliant. There was a great atmosphere, and I think it’ll be nice and feisty against Blackburn.
Simeon: Atmosphere you can really, really feel from the ground floor of Sky Studios. Burnley have won their last 5 league games against Blackburn, keeping a clean sheet an inch of the last 4, but they’ve never won 6 in a row against Blackburn in the EFL. What’s the score going to be at Turf Moor?
David: Do you know what? I’m gonna get Burnley back to winning ways, 2-1.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is a 2-1 win in favour of Burnley.
Cardiff v Middlesbrough
Simeon: It’s Cardiff City versus Middlesbrough, which kicks off at 12:30 PM. You can, of course, watch that on Sky Sports Plus, the Sky Sports app, or, as I said, just shouting the name of either team into your remote control. Cardiff had a enjoyed a big, big point at Swansea last weekend, their first of the season, of course, in that big South Wales Derby as well. It always matters in any kind of context. Middlesbrough mixed up 4 points so far. Did claim a leg point against Portsmouth last week, and then they were absolutely tonked on Tuesday night over to Stoke City. Lots of changes there, but it still can’t help, can I, going into this game?
David: No. You’re right. It was one of the more eye catching results, with great respect to both teams. But I mean, to take out, take out that Leeds win in the Carabao Cup and what’s happened so far with Boro, yes, there was obviously, a bit of drama last time out against Pompey with a very late penalty, but you get the feeling that it’s, again, it’s too early in the season to say there’s anything categorically wrong with these sides that haven’t quite started as well as we thought they would do. I just think some are taking a bit more time to get up to the speed of it, and I think you can possibly file Cardiff under that as well given the fact that they’ve got to really, really kind of, react to not only the draw with Swansea City, but that absolute tonking by Burnley as you quite, eloquently put.
Simeon: Cardiff have won just one of the last 8 league games against Middlesbrough losing 5 of their last 6 against them. What’s the score going to be at the Cardiff City stadium?
David: Boro need a reaction. Do you know what? I’m gonna go 0-1 Boro.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is a 1-0 win in favour of Middlesbrough.
Coventry v Norwich
Simeon: The second of our Sky Sports Plus offers a 3rd, really, depending upon how you wanna look at it. Lots of live football on the Saturday lunchtime. It’s Coventry City versus Norwich City, which is at 12:30 PM, of course. Coventry, 4 points they picked up so far. They, earned a late point at Bristol City last week. Not quite firing on the cylinders we’ve maybe had expected yet, but, I mean, a solid enough start. Norwich, just 2 points collected so far. They need a win in terms of winning Championship football.
David: They do. They do need to win in terms of Championship. But, yeah, again, these are 2 teams that you would expect to be open around there, but not quite. Maybe that that win against Oxford’s a turning point for them. Obviously, like drama again against Bristol City, but for Sheffield United, against, Norwich City last time out with the 1-1 draw, do we, I mean, the Carabao Cup ones are always a bit of a they were a bit of a curveball because I always think I mean, been in situations where they’ve chopped and changed the team, and so maybe the team’s on the back of a pretty heavy defeat. Is that kick off the backside that they collectively need? Possibly. But, yeah, looking at the team, Norwich, pretty pretty strong team that they put out against Palace. However, back to the nuts and bolts, isn’t it, of the Championship of the weekend? And I don’t know. I don’t wanna lean on it, but I’m leaning more towards honours even.
Simeon: Coventry are winless as well in the last a league meeting with Norwich. They haven’t beaten them since February 2009. What is the score going to be?
David: I’ll go 1-1.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is a 1-1 draw.
Sheffield United v Watford
Simeon: We move to Sunday now, Sheffield United versus Watford, which is live on Sky Sports from 2:30 PM. Kick off, 3 PM. Sheffield, United are unbeaten so far. Of course, they have had the points deduction, which has put them a bit lower in the table than they should be. Watford, what a start it’s been. Three wins from 3. They’re flying with. What start it’s been for Watford.
David: I mean, it’s interesting because I think…
Simeon: Their tails right up.
David: Yes. And it’s, there is always a caveat, of course, with what Watford is, as a business model. And, it’s run by 5 greater minds than me with 5 deeper pockets, so they can do whatever the hell they want with it. So you’re looking at this, and you’re hoping that it does work out for Tom because having spoke to him a couple of times, all you hear is glowing reviews on what he’s like and his approach and his work ethic. So I’m really glad that at this moment in time, it seems to be absolutely working because they it’s safe to say they know exactly where the goal is because it’s been a goal fest so far for Watford. But against Sheffield United, and I still know there’s a bit of Chris Wilder that, there’s a Watford sticking in his crawl a little bit from what he, experienced with that particular club. So given the fact that lost at Barnsley in the cup, given the fact that he’ll want them to be right at it, this could be all with an absolute cracker, I think, at Bramall Lane.
Simeon: Tuesday night was, Tom Cleverley versus Wayne Rooney in the dugout. We’ll see that in the Championship potentially at some point as well this season. One that makes you feel very old if you’re from a certain generation where you remember those 2 players coming through and growing up. It’s Crazy. Very much a a silver time where I realised that I’m an old man. Watford have won just one of their last 7 away league games against Sheffield United, which came in October 2010, so a very long time. What’s the score going to be at Bramall Lane on Sunday?
David: On a Sunday, I’m gonna go for I’m going my old classic, 2-2. I think and this, actually, I think this fits as a 2 all, so put that in your pipe and shut up.
Derby v Bristol City
Simeon: We wind back to the rest of the Saturday 3 PM. It’s now start with Derby County versus Bristol City. Our Bristol City fan, Ruben says, it’s been a really exciting start to the season. We played the best football in ages. And against Coventry, we should have won. I think we’ll beat Derby 31, and Derby have lost 5 of the last 6 league games against Bristol City. What’s the score going to be at Pride Park?
David: Pride Park at the Pride Park. I’m gonna go. I’m gonna go. I’m gonna go 1-1.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is a 1-1 draw.
Leeds v Hull
Simeon: Leeds have won 5 of the last 7 home league games against Hull. What’s the score going to be at Elland Road?
David: I still wanna see Walter Ball up close and personal, but I’m not the chance yet. I think possibly Leeds turning a very small corner after the win against Wednesday.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is a 2-1 Leeds.
Millwall v Sheffield Wednesday
Simeon: Millwall versus Sheffield Wednesday. Our Millwall fan that Lewis says, we haven’t had the best start, but I believe Sheffield Wednesday is a good game to kick start our season and make a statement to the division. I’m going 2 nil to the Lions with Langstaff and Esse to score. Mill have lost just one of the last seven league games against Sheffield Wednesday, although that did come in this exact picture last season. What’s the score going to be at the Den?
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is 1-0 Millwall.
Oxford v Preston
Simeon: Oxford versus Preston, North End. Preston have won just one of their last 7 away league games against Oxford, though it was during their most recent visit, and that was in February 2000. So none of that has any relevance whatsoever. What’s the score? It’s going to be at Kassam.
David: Lots I like about Oxford and Des Buckingham, but I just think the timing of coming up against Paul Heckingbottom is the newbie at Preston will do for Oxford in this one.
David Prutton’s score prediction for this game is 2-1 Preston.
Plymouth v Stoke
Simeon: Plymouth Argyle versus Stoke City, Steven Schumacher back to his old club, of course. Plymouth are a decent in the last 9 home league games against Stoke, and they haven’t lost to them since May 1987 at Home Park. What’s the score going to be at Home Park?
David: I’m gonna go Stoke to win 1-0.
Portsmouth v Sunderland
Simeon: Portsmouth versus Sunderland out. Portsmouth fan calls himself Pokedex says Sunderland have been in good form for the start of this championship season, but point versus Leeds, and it should have been 3 versus losing shows that we can survive and beat Sunderland, and he’s gone for a very Prutton-esque 3-2 Portsmouth win. Our Sunderland fan Phil Anderson says it’s been an unbelievable start to season for us with 3 wins, 3 clean sheets, and 7 goals. However, I think Portsmouth will be our toughest task yet, but I’m hopeful we can sneak a win in his convey far more boring one nil, Sunderland win. Portsmouth have lost just 1 of those 9 home league games against Sunderland. What’s the score going to be at Fratton Park?
David: I’m gonna go for 2 all.
West Brom v Swansea
Simeon: West Bromwich Albion versus Swansea City. West Brom have lost 5 of their last 6 league meetings with Swansea, though they did win this exact fixture 3-2 last season, I bet you didn’t predict that 3-2. What’s the score that I was going to at the Hawthorns.
David: I’m gonna go up the Hawthorns, West Brom 2-1 Swansea.
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