EFL Championship PREVIEW 22 Aug 2026: Boro Aim to Regroup at Blackburn After Play-Off Heartbreak

Blackburn host Middlesbrough on Saturday in the pick of the Championship's second round of fixtures. Boro arrive having finished last season the cruellest way possible: they went through to the play-off final only because fourth-placed Southampton were disqualified for unauthorised filming of rivals' training sessions, then lost 1-0 to Hull City at Wembley when Oli McBurnie scored in the fifth minute of stoppage time. Kim Hellberg, who arrived from Hammarby in late November after Rob Edwards left for Wolverhampton Wanderers, has started this season with a win. Blackburn, who churned through three managers last season before finishing 20th, drew their opener. Our model favours Middlesbrough at 42% to win at Ewood Park.

Millwall, fresh off the best season in their modern history, host Norwich City having opened this campaign with a win that puts them level on points with early leaders QPR. Alex Neil's side took 83 points last season, a club record, only to lose to Hull City in the play-off semi-final; Hull went on to win promotion to the Premier League. Norwich finished ninth last season, Jovon Makama their top scorer with 10 league goals, and go into this one having lost their opener. Our model gives Millwall a 49% chance at The Den.

West Ham United's first home Championship fixture in 14 years brings Charlton Athletic to the London Stadium. Nuno Espírito Santo, appointed midway through last season's relegation, confirmed in May he intends to stay and try to take West Ham straight back up. Charlton earned their own return to the second tier by beating Leyton Orient in last season's League One play-off final, then survived a difficult first campaign back, finishing 19th despite ranking in the bottom three of the division for possession, expected goals and goals scored. West Ham drew their opening match, Charlton won theirs, and our model actually favours the visitors, at 43%.

Wrexham, who reached seventh last season for the highest league finish in their history and missed the play-offs by two points, host Watford at the Racecourse Ground. Josh Windass was their top scorer with 16 league goals last time out. Watford, who have become as well known for changing head coaches as for results on the pitch, finished 16th. Wrexham drew their opener, Watford won theirs, and the model gives Watford 43% here.

Preston host Wolverhampton Wanderers, who arrive after one of the most extreme seasons English football has seen: Wolves took three points from their first 19 Premier League fixtures, were relegated with games still to play, and became only the second club, after Sheffield United in 2023/24, to lose to all 19 opponents in a single Premier League season. Rob Edwards took over in November and could not save them. Preston are entering their twelfth straight season in the Championship and lost their opener; Wolves drew theirs. The model favours Wolves at 42%.

QPR, who sit top of the table after an opening win, host newly-promoted Bolton Wanderers, back in the second tier for the first time in seven years after beating Stockport County 4-1 in May's League One play-off final at Wembley. Bolton also won their opener. Our model still favours the home side, QPR, at 37%.

Derby County host Cardiff City, who played their opener on Monday night. Derby finished eighth last season, six points shy of the play-offs under the old six-team format, with Carlton Morris their top scorer. Cardiff came up as League One runners-up behind Lincoln City, with Yousef Salech leading the scoring, and also reached the League Cup quarter-finals. Derby lost their opening match, Cardiff drew theirs, and the model favours Cardiff at 40%.

Lincoln City, in the second tier for the first time in living memory, host Portsmouth at the LNER Stadium. Lincoln arrive off the back of a remarkable League One title win, 103 points and a 29-match unbeaten run, finishing 12 clear of Cardiff. Portsmouth are in their third season back in the Championship after winning League One in 2023/24, but endured a difficult 2025/26, finishing 18th. Both sides lost their openers; the model gives Lincoln 38%.

Southampton host Stoke City with both sides looking to respond after opening defeats. Southampton are back in the Championship for a second season following a Premier League campaign in which they went down with seven games still to play. Stoke, under Mark Robins, are heading into a ninth straight season in the division after a run of seven mid-to-lower table finishes in a row. The model favours the visitors, Stoke, at 36%.

Swansea City host Sheffield United, who finished 13th in the Championship last season after Chris Wilder returned as manager in September, replacing Rubén Sellés following the club's worst start in its history. Patrick Bamford was Sheffield United's top scorer with 12 league goals. Swansea, into a ninth consecutive season at this level under Vítor Matos, won their opener while Sheffield United drew theirs. The model favours Swansea at 43%.

Elsewhere, Birmingham City host Bristol City, both sides looking to build after contrasting starts: Birmingham drew their opener while Bristol City lost theirs. Birmingham finished tenth in the Championship last season after winning League One as champions the year before; Bristol City finished 12th under Roy Hodgson, who took interim charge after Gerhard Struber's departure in March. The model gives Birmingham 41% to win at St Andrew's.