Birmingham vs. Brentford (Saturday, 12.30pm)
© Reuters
Birmingham City and Brentford square off in their Championship opener on Saturday afternoon on the back of contrasting campaigns in the second tier.
While Brentford only missed out on promotion to the Premier League courtesy of a playoff final defeat, Birmingham had to wait until the final week before mathematically retaining their status in the division.
We say: Birmingham City 1-3 Brentford
While there have been changes in personnel in each side, we still feel that the end result will be as expected. Birmingham may require some time to settle into life under Karanka, and that could allow the visitors to record a comfortable win.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Wycombe vs. Rotherham (Saturday, 12.30pm)
© Reuters
Wycombe Wanderers play host to Rotherham United on Saturday afternoon as they embark on their first ever campaign in the second tier of English football.
Like the home side, Rotherham earned promotion from League One last season, finishing in second place behind champions Coventry City.
We say: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Rotherham United
While both clubs will view this game as an opportunity to get off to the perfect start, we are expecting a tense affair at Adams Park. Despite the enthusiasm within both ranks, do not expect many goals in this one. If there are any, they could be shared out.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Bournemouth vs. Blackburn (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Bournemouth begin life back at the second tier with a testing home encounter against Blackburn Rovers on Saturday afternoon.
As for the visitors, they will be targeting a playoff spot at the end of the campaign after finishing in 11th position in the Championship standings last season.
We say: Bournemouth 1-1 Blackburn Rovers
Given the players that have departed Bournemouth this summer, their favourites tag for the weekend cannot be justified. With Blackburn also having 90 minutes of competitive football in their legs, we think that the visitors will deservedly earn a share of the spoils.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barnsley vs. Luton (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
After completing the great escape last season, Barnsley and Luton Town square off in the Championship on Saturday afternoon still relieved to have remained in the second tier.
Barnsley only survived courtesy of a last-day win at promotion-chasing Brentford, while Luton needed a dramatic victory over Blackburn Rovers to finish in 19th position.
We say: Barnsley 2-1 Luton Town
After their scalps last weekend, both teams will head into this encounter in confident mood. However, we cannot look past the home side on this occasion, who will be targeting a mid-table spot given their form since the turn of the year.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Bristol City vs. Coventry (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Bristol City welcome Coventry City to Ashton Gate looking to hit the ground running after a poor second half of last season.
Meanwhile, League One champions Coventry will be hopeful of a positive start in the Championship after building some momentum in recent weeks.
We say: Bristol City 2-1 Coventry City
All things considered, this one should be a close one to call. Nevertheless, with Holden and his squad aware of their responsibility to put together a sustained promotion bid, we are going to give Bristol City the benefit of the doubt here.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Cardiff vs. Sheff Weds (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
After being hit with a 12-point deduction ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, Sheffield Wednesday have it all to do when they take on Cardiff City in South Wales on Saturday.
The Owls are well adrift at the bottom before a ball has even been kicked, with this a tricky test to begin the season against last year's playoff semi-finalists.
We say: Cardiff City 2-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Wednesday will be desperate to start making inroads after being hit with a 12-point deduction, but this is one of the toughest fixtures they could have asked for to kick things off.Cardiff had the fourth best home record in the Championship last season, losing just three of their 23 matches, and we can see them edging this contest.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or draw.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Derby vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Derby County and Reading square off at Pride Park on Saturday afternoon aware that they are under pressure to deliver an improved effort in the Championship.
While the Rams claimed 10th spot last season after a slow start, Reading also built some momentum during the middle part of the campaign to finish in 14th position.
We say: Derby County 1-1 Reading
With key players having departed Derby, Cocu may be content with simply avoiding defeat at the weekend. However, Reading may adopt a similar approach, and we do not expect many fireworks at either end.
Our tipster partners are predicting under 3.5 goals.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Huddersfield vs. Norwich (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Norwich City begin life back in the Championship with a trip to face much-changed Huddersfield Town at the John Smith's Stadium.
Both clubs head into the contest in Yorkshire having suffered surprise defeats in the EFL Cup last weekend.
We say: Huddersfield Town 1-2 Norwich City
With Norwich missing several players due to international duty last weekend, it may take time for the returnees to settle back into the side. Nevertheless, given the transition period which is currently occurring at their hosts, it would come as a surprise if the Canaries do not prevail in this one.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Millwall vs. Stoke (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Millwall and Stoke City do battle at The Den on Saturday afternoon with both teams targeting a Championship playoff spot at the end of the season.
While the home side finished seven places above their upcoming opponents during the last campaign, the visitors are being tipped to mount a promotion bid this time around.
We say: Millwall 1-1 Stoke City
Neat passing games are unlikely to be on show in East London as both teams look to impose their physicality on proceedings. With that in mind, we can only predict a hard-fought draw between two sides who will not be prepared to give an inch.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Preston vs. Swansea (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Preston North End and Swansea City will open their respective 2020-21 Championship campaigns with a clash at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon.
Swansea finished sixth in the Championship last term before losing to Brentford in the playoffs, while Preston ended the campaign in ninth, four points outside of the top six.
We say: Preston North End 1-1 Swansea City
This is a very difficult match to predict for a number of reasons. Both teams will feel that they are capable of hurting the other in the final third of the field, but it promises to be a tight encounter at Deepdale. We are struggling to separate the pair taking everything into consideration and have backed a low-scoring draw.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
QPR vs. Nott'm Forest (Saturday, 3.00pm)
© Reuters
Nottingham Forest will be looking to make a winning start to their 2020-21 Championship campaign when they head to Queens Park Rangers on the opening weekend of the season.
The Reds incredibly missed out on a playoff spot on the final day of the 2019-20 campaign, eventually finishing in seventh, while QPR ended the season in 13th position in the table.
We say: Queens Park Rangers 0-2 Nottingham Forest
Forest will be determined to put three points on the board as they bid to move on from last season, and we fancy the visitors to have too much for QPR on Saturday, backing a 2-0 success for the Reds.
Our tipster partners are predicting a double chance bet on a home win or an away win.
> Click here to read our full preview for this match
Barney Corkhill
