Home
Soccer

English Championship Predictions - Round 13

Simon Lewis

Editor

Last updated: 49 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 49 minutes ago

Share this article

West Ham to bounce back by beating the Brummies.
Wolves to take three points off visiting Cardiff.
Portsmouth to win away from home at Burnley.
Blackburn looking strong to upset Swansea.

Third-placed West Ham will look to bounce back from a 3-2 defeat to Southampton (Getty Images).

West Ham United vs West Bromwich Albion

West Ham are third in the Championship but suffered a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Southampton last weekend, conceding three goals before the break. Their previous fixtures included a 1-0 win at Swansea and an emphatic 6-0 victory at Lincoln.

West Brom have improved after consecutive defeats to Birmingham and Wolves, beating Wrexham and Blackburn before drawing 1-1 at Preston. That gives both clubs two wins in their last five games, although West Ham possess a considerably stronger goals record with 32 scored in 12 matches. The hosts should create chances but a clean sheet is by no means assured.

Wolves vs Cardiff City

Wolves earned a 1-0 home win over Watford after drawing 1-1 against Portsmouth in a rescheduled fixture. Earlier they beat Burnley 2-1 but lost against Bolton and Middlesbrough. Cardiff have recovered well by winning three of their latest five Championship games including a 1-0 win over Birmingham and a 5-1 demolition of Watford. A 2-2 draw at Middlesbrough further suggests they can trouble higher-placed sides.

Wolves carry the stronger season-long record and home advantage, yet Cardiff's recent improvement makes the fixture more competitive than the league positions indicate. Both teams scoring could be preferable to the short Wolves outright price.

Burnley vs Portsmouth

Burnley have slipped into the relegation places following consecutive defeats: 4-1 at Lincoln and 2-1 at home to Wolves. They have won just once in their last five matches and only once all season. Portsmouth look far more confident after beating Millwall, Norwich and Sheffield United in successive league games, although they lost 1-0 at Southampton immediately beforehand. Their attack has found different ways to score while Burnley have conceded 25 goals across 12 league fixtures.

The visitors offer an appealing outsider angle, especially with the hosts needing to chase points and potentially leaving space on the counterattack.

Swansea City vs Blackburn Rovers

Swansea have suffered consecutive league defeats, losing 5-0 at QPR and 1-0 at home to West Ham after a run of three victories. The Welsh club remain second in the table but the heavy loss at Loftus Road raises concerns about their defensive confidence.

Blackburn beat Wrexham 2-0 last weekend and have won three of their last four, including a 1-0 victory at Bristol City. Their five-game record is three wins, one draw and one defeat, suggesting greater stability than the hosts currently enjoy. A close contest is likely, and Blackburn look capable of earning a result even if Swansea remain narrow favourites with bookmakers.

Verdict

England Championship

I’m backing goals for both sides as West Ham beat West Brom and Wolves see off Cardiff. I’m also behind big payoff wins for Portsmouth and Blackburn.

Wolves Win

Both Teams To Score

@2,80 - 2 Units

100% up to R1,000 Bonus

Use promo code BETS

Join Sunbet with promo code BETS and get up to R1,000 plus Cash outs and Action bets. 18+ only. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Sunbet

West Ham Win

Both Teams To Score

@3,00 - 1 Unit

up to R15,000 + 100 Spins

use referral code BETS

Join ReadySetBet with promo code BETS and unlock their deposit bonus up to R15000 across the first three deposits + 100 no deposit spins. 18+. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Ready Set Bet

Portsmouth Win

Result

@3,40 - 1 Unit

Get 100% up to R5000

+ 100 free spins on Sweet Rush Bonanza

Make your first deposit and get 100% up to R5,000 Bonus to bet on sports or games plus 100 free spins on Sweet Rush Bonanza. New customers only. 18+ T&Cs and wagering requirements apply. To activate the bonus, select it from the cashier.

Bet at 10bet

Blackburn Win

Result

@4,00 - 1 Unit

Get up to R15,000 + 50 spins

100% First Deposit Bonus

Earn up to R15,000 in bonus funds PLUS 50 Free Spins when you first deposit. To get started, register and make your First Deposit *Min R10 and get 100% free up to R15,000 paid out as cash in 10 equal parts as you meet the wagering requirements. T&Cs apply.

Bet at Sportingbet

Simon is a talented sports writer in South Africa with a strong focus on cricket having played first-team level for UCT, including playing at two Universities Weeks.

From a young age Simon was an avid reader of cricket magazines and books, and went on to be Editor of The Googly, CricketScene SA and SA Cricket, in addition to being a Features Writer on SA Sports Illustrated.

He has interviewed most of South Africa's premier cricketers and was the first writer to interview a teenaged Jacques Kallis.

Simon has also written about English and local football, rugby and cricket, in addition to major international tennis and golf stars and competitions.

You can follow more from Simon at Muckrack, X and LinkedIn.