Blackburn are the early pacesetters in the Championship as the teams enter the first midweek gameweek.
Tony Mowbray’s side maintained a 100% record with a 2-1 win over one of the favourites for promotion, West Brom, and facing early season strugglers Reading, while Norwich are looking for their first win of the campaign and Burnley are looking to bounce back.
Sunderland remain a team to keep an eye on after their impressive adaptation to the Championship after finally getting promotion to the second flight while at the other end of the table Bristol City, Coventry and Luton are propping up the table along with the Canaries.
In lieu of the regular individual match-by-match tips, 101 Great Goals brings you a summary of matches and betting tips for Gameweek 4.
📰 Table Of Contents
Birmingham vs Watford
Form: Birmingham (DWL; 0-0, 2-1, 0-1) – Watford (WDW; 1-0, 1-1, 1-0)
Match preview: Watford are one of the sides to watch in the Championship this year, as they look to continue their frustrating habit of bouncing between the top and second tiers. They have made a convincing start to the season and are undefeated, conceding just one goal in the process while overcoming two direct rivals and being held by West Brom. John Eustace admitted his Birmingham side deserved defeat against Cardiff which has made for a mixed start to the campaign, and they face a tough ask against a strong Hornets side.
Bristol City vs Luton
Form: Bristol City (LLD; 1-2, 2-3, 1-1) – Luton (DDL; 0-0, 1-1, 0-1)
Match preview: These two sides are without a win in the early stages of the season, but will be eyeing up this fixture as the ideal way to kick-start the campaign. Andreas Weimann has made a flying start to the season so they will fancy getting the better of the tie, particularly after showing Coventry what they are capable of in the Carabao Cup. It’s been a return to reality for Luton after last season’s performance and despite not conceding many goals, their toothlessness in attack could hurt them.
Prediction: 2-1
Burnley vs Hull
Form: Burnley (WDL; 1-0, 1-1, 0-1 ) – Hull (WDW; 2-1, 0-0, 2-1)
Match preview: After an opening-day victory over Huddersfield, Vincent Kompany’s side have dropped points, but continue to recruit players and impress even in defeat – making them a formidable opponent this season. Hull meanwhile have been a surprise early season package in the league, though they were arguably lucky to come away with three points against Norwich and that unbeaten run could soon come to an end.
Prediction: 1-0
Norwich vs Huddersfield
Form: Norwich (LDL; 0-1, 1-1, 1-2) – Huddersfield (LLW; 0-1, 1-2, 3-1)
Match preview: On the face of it it’s been a disastrous start to the season for Norwich, but Dean Smith is confident there have been enough signs in their performances that the wins will soon come. A number of injuries could cost them again but there are enough signs of fortunes turning around. A 3-1 win over Stoke was an impressive result for Danny Schofield, with a lot of thanks going to Lee Nicholls for a penalty save. This could be game when the Canaries’ fortunes turn round.
Prediction: 3-1
Preston vs Rotherham
Form: Preston (DDW; 0-0, 0-0, 1-0) – Rotherham (DW; 1-1, 4-0)
Match preview: Goals have been hard to come by for Preston, with just one league strike in their three games this season. It points to a sturdy defence that has got them off to an unbeaten start but Brad Potts’ winner against Luton could open the floodgates. Rotherham piled the misery on struggling Reading and will hope it is a sign of things to come in their latest attempt at cracking the second tier.
Prediction: 1-1
Swansea vs Millwall
Form: Swansea (DLW; 1-1, 0-3, 1-0) – Millwall (WLW; 2-0, 0-2, 3-2)
Match preview: Swansea had Andrew Fisher to thank after getting their first win against Blackpool at the weekend to end a nightmare start to the season under Russell Martin. They haven’t enjoyed playing at home either, without a win at their own ground for five games. That run could come to an end against Millwall who, despite making a decent start to the season and having made some good summer signings, are without an away win in seven.
Prediction: 2-2
QPR vs Blackpool
Form: QPR (LWD; 0-1, 3-2, 2-2) – Blackpool (WLL; 1-0, 0-2, 0-1)
Match preview: If recent results are anything to go by, QPR could be a fun side to follow this season with nine goals in their previous two outings. Mick Beale expects to have a strengthened squad to take on Blackpool with Ethan Laird hoped to be a new addition. Blackpool’s win over Reading might have been a false dawn, having followed it up with back-to-back defeats to Stoke and Swansea. That could continue here.
Prediction: 3-1
Stoke vs Middlesbrough
Form: Stoke (LWL; 0-2, 2-0, 1-3) – Middlesbrough (DLD; 1-1, 2-3, 2-2)
Match preview: Two sides who haven’t enjoyed the start to the season they would have wanted, it is perhaps Stoke who have more to be concerned about ahead of this fixture. Despite having a win to their name, a comfortable defeat to Huddersfield hints at danger while they have arguably had the easier start, compared to Boro who have drawn with West Brom and Sheffield United and lost to QPR.
Prediction: 1-2
West Brom vs Cardiff
Form: West Brom (DDL; 1-1, 1-1, 1-2) – Cardiff (WLW; 1-0, 1-2, 1-0)
Match preview: West Brom might have been expected to be one of the frontrunners for automatic promotion this season, but they haven’t exactly got off to a lightning start. However, draws to Middlesbrough and Watford might be good results at the end of the season, but they will want to get that monkey off their back against a Cardiff side who have secured two early but impressive wins.
Prediction: 2-1
Reading vs Blackburn
Form: Reading (LWL; 0-1, 2-1, 0-4) – Blackburn (WWW; 1-0, 3-0, 2-1)
Match preview: Reading are a team to keep an eye on this season, with things potentially going drastically wrong at the Madejski. A win over Cardiff was a good result but that was followed up by a shocking 4-0 reverse to Rotherham which left plenty of questions to be asked. They come up against a Blackburn side who still have a 100% record having beaten some strong teams along the way.
Prediction: 0-2
Sheffield United vs Sunderland
Form: Sheffield United (LWD; 0-1, 2-0, 2-2) – Sunderland (DWD; 1-1, 3-2, 2-2)
Match preview: Paul Heckingbottom’s side have had a tough start to the season, playing some of their promotion candidates and picking up only a win against Millwall. Nevertheless they performed well away at Middlesbrough and claimed a point, and they come up against a Sunderland side who have hit the ground running. There could be goals at both ends.
Prediction: 3-1
