English Championship Predictions - Saturday, 24 October 2026, Round 12

Simon Lewis

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Last updated: 47 minutes ago

Simon Lewis 47 minutes ago

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Goals to flow between West Ham and Southampton.
Sheffield United to play it tight against Derby.
Blackburn and Wrexham heading for a score draw.
Preston to go down at home to West Brom.

West Ham have a goal difference of plus-18 in the Championship (Getty Images).

English Championship - Round 12

English Championship - Round 12
West Ham United vs Southampton
Sheffield United vs Derby
Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham
Preston North End vs West Bromwich Albion

West Ham United vs Southampton

Second-placed West Ham have picked up 22 points in 11 Championship games and boast the division's best goal difference at plus-18. They host 8th-placed Southampton who are on 17 points and have enough attacking quality to make this a competitive meeting.

West Ham's return to the second tier has been productive so far, particularly in front of goal, and home supporters will expect another statement performance. Southampton will need to manage the opening stages carefully to avoid being overwhelmed.

Sheffield United vs Derby

United have recovered some momentum after winning 1-0 at Bristol City while Derby travel to Bramall Lane in serious trouble. The Rams are second from bottom with only six points from 11 matches and a goal difference of minus-11. United remain a mid-table side rather than a promotion contender, but another win would put them in sight of the top six.

Derby are likely to adopt a cautious approach in an attempt to halt their slide and keep the game close. United's home win is slated at 1.85 but total match goals of under 2.5 goals at 1.93 may offer an equally interesting route if chances are limited.

Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham

Blackburn entertain Wrexham in an unusually tight Championship contest with the teams separated by a single point after 11 matches. Blackburn sit in 10th spot with 15 points while Wrexham are in 14th place on 14 points, suggesting there is little between the sides. Rovers lost an entertaining 3-2 game against West Brom last weekend and will be keen to tighten their defence.

Wrexham will seek to take advantage of any uncertainty at Ewood Park and their ambition makes an open contest a strong possibility. Neither team commands a clear win-market advantage with both priced around the 2.50 mark, making Total Match Goals Over 2.5 goals at 2.05 a more attractive option to back.

Preston North End vs West Bromwich Albion

Bottom club Preston face another difficult assignment as fifth-placed West Brom visit Deepdale. Preston have taken just four points from 11 matches and their minus-15 goal difference is the worst in the Championship this season. West Brom have collected 20 points and strengthened their promotion push with a 3-2 victory over Blackburn last weekend.

The visitors have much greater confidence and will look to make their superior organisation count against a vulnerable defence. Preston's need for points may encourage an attacking approach but that could also leave space for West Brom to exploit. An away win at 1.98 is the clearest option for this contrasting meeting.

Verdict

England Championship

I'm backing over 3.5 match goals between West Ham United and Southampton but under 2.5 goals in the Sheffield United-Derby clash. Over 2.5 goals looks a solid. pick in the Blackburn Rovers-Wrexham match-up while West Brom look good for the win at Preston.

Sheffield United Goals

Total Match Goals Under 2.5

@1,93 - 2 Units

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West Brom Win

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Blackburn Goals

Over 2.5 Match Goals

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West Ham Goals

Over 3.5 Match Goals

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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.