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. Transcribed with the help of TurboScribe!

BLACKBURN v PRESTON

Simeon: Blackburn are three points above the bottom three. They won their first game with Michael O’Neill in charge at QPR last week, since he took over in his dual role with Blackburn and Northern Island, which is delightfully old-fashioned. We don’t see much of that anymore. Preston head into the weekend. Outside of the playoffs on goal difference alone, they hit back to draw with Watford last weekend. Milutin Osmajić back from his ban to score the equaliser there. Should be a nice game to kick off the weekend. I know we say that on every podcast, but genuinely, big local derby, lots to play for at both ends of the table for both teams. It should be good fun.

David: There is. It needs an instant reaction from Michael O’Neill, doesn’t it? Hitting the ground running. I was listening to an interview with him and he was very pragmatic about the whole thing. As with his ones, he’s got to get ready for Northern Ireland’s playoff games, but in the interim, saving Blackburn would be a nice little way to keep him motivated. I’m looking forward to this one. Preston, I think, have the upper hand. That’s not blowing your mind with that, given where they find themselves. Having spent time at both of these grounds when we’ve covered this particular derby, there’s certainly no love lost. It’s always a cracking one to do. For a way to kick off the weekend after the quiet nature of last weekend from a live point of view with regards to the FA Cup taking over, then it’s a good one. It’ll be bitterly cold, though. We’re not far from Blackburn and my word is it colder

Simeon: Preston have just one win in the last six against Blackburn. They do not do well recently. They also lost the reverse fixture at Deepdale when they were in really good form and Blackburn in really bad form. So yeah, they don’t like playing their local rivals.

David Prutton’s score prediction: I’m going for Preston to win on the row, 2-1.

WEST BROM v COVENTRY

Simeon: West Brom two points in a single place above the bottom three heading into the weekend. Still winless under new boss Eric Ramsey. Couldn’t even win in the cup at the weekend either. They do however have goalless draws in their last two Championship games. At least they’ve picked up a couple of points. Coventry are back on top of the Championship. They beat Middlesbrough on Monday night. Brilliant game that was. They are a point clear at the summit again. More importantly six clear of Millwall in third. Eight clear of Ipswich in fourth. Ipswich do have two games in hand. Let’s briefly reflect upon Monday night’s brilliant brilliant game. It felt like a proper proper Championship you know blockbuster didn’t it?

David: Yeah and they they started off terrifically well to it. They posed after was it 99 seconds and maintained that type of pressure. I thought it was fantastic. They made life very hard for Boro. I thought that ability to allow them possession but not be overtly troubled by them I thought showed a real composure from a team at the top of the league and Haji Wright, chances to score and took them gleefully didn’t they? So yeah a real response especially after we spoke about Boro six on the bounce and it all seemed like they were going to steam past Coventry so amazing work by them. Up against the West Brom side that I saw at Birmingham and defensively did very very well. It was always going to be a rear guard action away at St Andrews but still as I say big question questions to be answered from Ramsey and his appointment but I see incremental steps I just don’t see them being able to do anything against Coventry who will be full of confidence and flying.

Simeon: Although Coventry not good on the road haven’t won in seven away from the CBS Arena.

David: But he said that he frankly said he wants to be able to reflect that on the CBS atmosphere away against whoever they’re coming up against in the Championship but it doesn’t seem like a team that needs some overt motivation they seem like a very motivated bunch so I think this is possibly where they turn the corner on the road.

Simeon: It feels like you’re leaning one way so I’ll offer West Brom fans some hope here. They’ve won four and drawn one of the last five at home against Coventry. Coventry haven’t won at the Hawthorns since December 2007 which is a long time. What’s the score going to be at the Hawthorns?

David Prutton’s score prediction: Given the fact it’s nearly 20 years I’m going to go for a Coventry win 2-1.

HULL v QPR

Simeon: Hull are in 5th beaten at home by Bristol City in their last championship game 5 points off 2nd with the game in hand. QPR have dropped to 13th after losing at home to Blackburn last time out so Hull fairly well-esconced in those playoff plays there’s still a bit of hope of pushing on upwards QPR have some work to do to get back towards where they could potentially like to be so two teams who will attack as they always do and it should be another decent game this one should it not perhaps?

David: It should.

Simeon: Tell us about your trip to see Sergej Jakirović as well if you’d like.

David: Yes what a lovely fella he is what a cracking bunch of lads they were all in very good spirits I saw a bit of training which was very high tempo very high spirited.

Simeon: Get involved?

David: No, nothing will ever be that bad that they need me to get involved in training but he’s such a genial composed fella I mean to be that relaxed about life and composed I think it helps when you’re six foot five and not like you could snap anybody into that remotely steps in your way but he wears his he wears his size and his and his stature very very well and very gently so it was it was nice to chat he’s got a good sense of humour he understands where Hull City find themselves he talks about the real cachet of managing in the Championship and it’s been reflected in what he’s seen so far you look at the Chelsea game which obviously was in the FA Cup that we don’t talk about but shows his players the levels that they’re after to try and attain if that’s where they find themselves next season but I think they’re doing very well indeed and he’s done one of the better jobs shall we say in the Championship given how tumultuous last season was for City.

Simeon: QPR have won three of the last five trips to Hull although they have lost the other two 3-0 so that doesn’t really tell you much what’s the score no going to be at the MKM Stadium?

David Prutton’s score prediction: Hull City 2-0 QPR

STOKE v LEICESTER

Simeon: Stoke have drifted down to 14th in the table winless in six now in the league that really really good start they had starting to feel like a little bit of a long way away now speaking of you know teams have cropped down the league Leicester City what a mess they’re in in the drop zone two points adrift of safety looks like Gary Rowett is going to be in charge of the weekend but I mean the form is just diabolical four defeats on the bounce just a point in the last six games, it’s a job on his hands to try and pick this lot up doesn’t it unbelievable by Saturday

David: Something needs to change very very drastically from a Stoke point of view they’ve obviously had to deal with injuries another team surging forward in the table Leicester City points deductions and a grossly underperforming squad, so if it is our mate Gary, another manager that we’ve got back into a job you’re welcome…

Simeon: Or on the flip side a manager who’s left as quickly as possible after spending an afternoon with you whichever way you want to look at it straight in straight out straight in straight out

David: But I think is it’s we chatted about it on the show the other week and it’s it’s a huge football club that’s found itself in some very very choppy waters first port of call is getting the points on the board that keeps them safe that’s that’s whoever goes in as manager that’s their only job consolidation. So it’s a big job and it’s one that if you look at what Stoke are up to and how Mark Robins would fancy it against the side with a huge wave of expectation behind them I think they really would fancy themselves at about 3-6-5 up against a team that’s in turmoil

Simeon: Yeah I mean Leicester have had that points deduction but even so with a team they have for them to have only collected 38 points this season it’s just it’s embarrassing

David: Let’s be really honest about the points the points deduction is terrible it’s one where you really do feel for the fans because that then becomes very worrisome doesn’t it for the immediate future but yeah it’s not you know what I mean we’re looking at a side that’s been absolutely nowhere near it for the majority of the season that was labouring under expectations anyway and as a squad of players it probably needs a good shake up

Simeon: I interviewed Christian Fuchs last week and it just reminded me of the fact that this time 10 years ago Leicester were top of the Premier League and now they’re in the bottom three in the Championship it’s I mean 10 years is a long time but they won the FA Cup five years ago as well now look where they are the one thing they can take hope from is the fact they have a good record against Stoke they are beaten in 10 against them and won 6 of those they haven’t lost at the Bet365 stadium in the league since March 2007 what’s the score going to be at the Bet365 stadium?

David Prutton’s score prediction: I’ll go for 1-1

SWANSEA v BRISTOL CITY

Simeon: Swansea beaten at Derby last time out Bristol City hell of a goal from Max Bird if you saw her on Tuesday night to get that point against Wrexham they head into the weekend a point off the playoffs Swansea kind of labouring a bit further down well quite a lot further down but not too far on points but quite a long way on places I’m rambling but yeah I don’t really ever know if this is a derby or a rivalry, I think it’s the we both hate Cardiff rivalry, can we call it that is that something

David: The Cardiff sandwich welcome to the Cardiff sandwich but yeah because it would be seven-sided isn’t it when it’s Bristol City Cardiff City but the fact that you’ve got to keep trekking down the M4 to get to Swansea which is always a little bit further than you think down there past Cardiff, but I’m sure they hate each other anyway so there you go

Simeon: Most people do you know me I don’t believe in any rivalry that has to be named after a road if there’s a road in the title I’m not interested quite frankly, it has to be geographical and compass points involved in my book, but Swansea obviously probably going to finish mid-table this season although they have had an upturn against Bristol City are the team that still are right in the playoff mix but maybe not quite consistent enough what do you think perhaps have they got a shot at that sixth spot

David: Well yeah but I mean I think it’s still close enough to have the discussion I mean the fact that we’re talking about teams in and around it when you’re looking at the gap between Derby in sixth and then you’ve only got Watford down in twelfth they’re only three points behind them and in between that you’ve got teams that have are coming from all directions so you can’t count them out I mean we’re talking about a team of course that was in the playoffs last season anyway under Liam Manning but things have changed somewhat and Swansea as we’ve spoken on this made the change from Alan Sheehan and they’re in a position now where possibly you would say the playoffs might be a bit of a stretch however just six points outside of it so it’ll be a good one of course for either team to win but given where Bristol City find themselves the way it’s towards in a way win I don’t know you’ll have to ask me in a second.

Simeon: Swansea have just two wins in their last nine in all competitions against Bristol City perhaps what’s the score going to be?

David Prutton’s score prediction: 1-0 Bristol City win

SHEFFIELD UNITED v SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Simeon: Sheffield United nicked that win at Portsmouth last Saturday took them to six points off the top six heading into the weekend this game could relegate Sheffield Wednesday they could already be relegated before that game I’m going to read out some permutations. Blackburn host Preston on Friday night we’re starting on Friday that’s how complicated it is a draw or victory for Blackburn coupled with a West Brom victory on Saturday against Coventry in the lunchtime kick-off would see Sheffield Wednesday relegated before they’ve played. If Blackburn lose against Preston or West Brom draw or lose against Coventry then Sheffield Wednesday’s fate will be decided against Sheffield United on Sunday there’s also a possibility that Wednesday will be down if Blackburn lose on Friday but then West Brom beat Coventry and Leicester claim a victory where it’s Stoke in the lunchtime game on Saturday. The bottom line is that only a West Brom victory will guarantee Sheffield Wednesday’s relegation before the Steel City derby but if we get to Sunday and Sheffield Wednesday lose they’ll be relegated anyway.

David: Right so it’s going to it’s going to be miraculous if we get to Monday morning and they’re still in the division basically

Simeon: Yeah I mean I think we can safely say at some point Sheffield Wednesday are going to get relegated yes even if it doesn’t happen this weekend correct so Sheffield United do potentially have the opportunity to relegate their rivals and boost their own playoff aims in the first place which is the most important thing for them and they seem to be on a bit of an upward turn at the moment after well one win in a row

David: But given the rivalry as well I know sometimes there’s that kind of really passionate but compassionate rivalry whereas I don’t get I’ve never felt that between these two I just sense that if it is something that happens at Bramall Lane then they will be very celebratory indeed. I mean as for Wednesday we’ve discussed it at length, gross mismanagement from the top, setting up a team, a squad which is a mixture of young players and ones that are available to actually come into the football club, gives you an uphill battle anywhere in the Championship, your best player leaves to go to a team that’s knocking on the door of the playoffs and promotion so yeah all in all a very very toxic combination the one shining light and the one utter constant is the faithful who will be there through thick and thin, but I just when you go into this yes they’ll be pride at stake, yes the boss will be telling them that it can’t happen here but I would say everything points to the fact that it possibly would do

Simeon: No defeats in seven now for Sheffield United against Wednesday the last time Wednesday beat United, it was 2012

David Prutton’s score prediction: I mean it’s a club I’ve got a hell of a lot of fondness for I mean saying that I mean no matter whether we’ve done with Sheffield United and the players and the management that’s been involved has been a real joy to see really and some lovely lovely people I just think everyone connected with Sheffield are thoroughly thoroughly good eggs I just as I said if we were doing this on kind of emotion you’d say it’d be great if it was a Wednesday win but I just just really can’t see it, so I’m going to go Sheffield United 2 Wednesday 1

MIDDLESBROUGH v OXFORD

Simeon: Middlesbrough beaten at Coventry on Monday night of course start of the weekend in second a point off Coventry, Oxford 6 points adrift of safety what’s the score going to be at Riverside Stadium?

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

MILLWALL v PORTSMOUTH

Simeon: Millwall are third in the table heading into the weekend 5 points off Boro in second, Portsmouth got a really big win at Charlton midweek they start the weekend 4 points clear of the bottom 3 what’s the score going to be at the Den?

David Prutton’s score prediction: I heard some ridiculous stats that Pompey are operating with 14 injured players out but I think this is a Millwall win 2-0

NORWICH v BIRMINGHAM

Simeon: Norwich 9 points off the playoffs Birmingham 2 points off the playoffs what’s the score going to be at Carrow Road?

David Prutton’s score prediction: Norwich in ridiculously good form I’m going to go 1-1

SOUTHAMPTON v CHARLTON

Simeon: Southampton on the rise again 2 points off the playoffs Charlton beaten at home by Portsmouth in midweek to end that mini spell of good form where they picked up 7 points in 3 games before that what’s the score going to be at St Mary’s?

David: Yeah I mean Charlton got absolutely tonked by Southampton in the reverse finish didn’t they? He’s got a little bit of previous this season for celebrating when he was celebrating at Stoke he made his feelings known there with regards to his relationship previously

David Prutton’s score prediction: I’m going to go for a Southampton win though 2-1

WATFORD v DERBY

Simeon: Watford drew at Preston in Ed Stills first game in charge, you talk about getting managers from the EFL sofa into jobs, you did it kind of via his brother didn’t you? Derby back to winning ways against Swansea, Derby head into the weekend in 6th Watford are 3 points off the playoffs what’s the score going to be at Vicarage Road?

David Prutton’s score prediction: 2-2 draw

WREXHAM v IPSWICH

Simeon: Wrexham held by Bristol City midweek start the weekend outside the playoffs some goal difference Ipswich 7 points off Middlesbrough in 2nd with 2 games in hand this should be yeah a very interesting game obviously they played in the cup last week and Wrexham won, what’s the score going to be?

David Prutton’s score prediction: I’m going to go for an entertaining 2-2 draw

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