The relentless EFL Championship is back again this weekend with matchday five. The action gets underway on Friday night when Norwich City host Millwall at Carrow Road.
On Saturday, in-form Watford travel to unbeaten Preston North End, and Stoke City entertain Sunderland. Rivals Bristol City and Cardiff City square off in the Severnside derby this Sunday. Check out our matchday five Championship predictions.
EFL Championship Matchday 5: Best Betting Football Tips
Norwich City vs. Millwall: EFL Betting Tip
This Friday, Dean Smith’s Norwich welcome Gary Rowett’s Millwall to Carrow Road to kick off the Championship weekend. After picking up their first league victory of the campaign last time out, can the Canaries secure another three points on home soil here?
After the first three fixtures, Norwich were bottom of the table with just one point to their name. They had lost to Cardiff and Hull City and drew with Wigan Athletic. However, the Canaries were not to be denied in game four, as they edged past Huddersfield Town at Carrow Road.
Millwall have made a good start to their season, sitting in fifth on seven points. The Lions have picked up home wins over Stoke and Coventry City. In midweek, two injury-time own goals gave them a 2-2 draw with Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium.
Millwall have started well and will certainly be tough opponents for Norwich, but City should kick on after claiming a much-needed first triumph last time out. We like the look of 11/5 for the home win and over 2.5 goals.
Norwich City 22/25
Draw 5/2
Millwall 16/5
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 11/5 odds taken 2012 GMT, Thursday 18 August
Preston North End vs. Watford: Best Football League Betting Predictions
Two unbeaten sides go head-to-head at Deepdale on Saturday afternoon, as Ryan Lowe’s Preston entertain Rob Edwards’ Watford. North End are the only team in the Championship yet to concede a goal – can they keep the Hornets at bay at the weekend?
Preston have been incredibly hard to play against this season, keeping four clean sheets in four Championship games. However, three of those have ended goalless. At the other end of the spectrum, the Lilywhites have scored just one goal, which is the joint fewest in the division.
Watford will be gunning for an instant return to the Premier League, and the Hornets have started brightly. Rob Edwards’ boys are flying high in joint second after two wins and two draws from their opening four. Watford have beaten Sheffield United and Burnley at home and have drawn with West Bromwich Albion and Birmingham City on the road.
Preston could be a tough nut to crack for many this season, and we can see Lowe’s boys holding the Hornets to a stalemate on Saturday. Back the draw at 43/20.
Preston North End 7/4
Draw 43/20
Watford 33/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 43/20 odds taken 2017 GMT, Thursday 18 August
Stoke City vs. Sunderland: EFL Betting Odds & Predictions
Stoke and Sunderland square off in an intriguing Championship clash at the bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Potters have made a slow start, while the Black Cats were beaten for the first time this term in midweek. Who will come out on top in the Potteries?
Stoke have been sluggish out of the gates, but they are unbeaten in their opening two home matches. In fact, all four of their points have come at the bet365 Stadium. Can they follow up Wednesday’s frantic draw with Middlesbrough with three points on home turf?
Sunderland have started life back in the Championship in fine fettle. They narrowly lost at Sheffield United in the week, but the Mackems kicked off their campaign with one win and two draws from three. Can Alex Neil’s troops bounce back with a good result at the bet365?
Stoke are an unpredictable outfit these days, and we are backing Sunderland to leave the Potteries with a narrow victory. You can get the solid price of 4/1 for the Black Cats to win by one goal.
Stoke City 27/25
Draw 23/10
Sunderland 27/10
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 4/1 odds taken 2022 GMT, Thursday 18 August
Bristol City vs. Cardiff City: Best EFL Championship Betting Tips on Matchday 5
On Sunday, Severnside rivals Bristol City and Cardiff meet at Ashton Gate. The Bluebirds will be out for revenge after losing home and away to the Robins last term. Cardiff have started the season better, but the home side are the bookies’ favourites in this derby.
After starting the season with back-to-back losses to Hull and Sunderland, Bristol City have turned a corner, winning two and drawing one of their last three league and cup fixtures. They picked up their first league win in their last outing, beating Luton Town 2-0 at Ashton Gate.
Steve Morison’s Cardiff have won two of their opening four, seeing off Norwich and Birmingham. In midweek, they secured their first away point, holding West Brom to a goalless draw at The Hawthorns. Can they return to South Wales with all three points in the bag on Sunday?
Cardiff leaked goals for fun last term, but Morison’s troops have already kept three Championship clean sheets this term. With that in mind, take a punt on the away team to win 1-0 (9/1).
Bristol City 57/50
Draw 5/2
Cardiff City 47/20
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 9/1 odds taken 2025 GMT, Thursday 18 August
