EFL Championship acca & predictions: Leicester to draw with Birmingham

Three rounds into the EFL Championship season and the table is already starting to take shape, with promotion hopefuls flexing their muscles and early strugglers feeling the pressure.

Ahead of the GW4 fixtures, Ladbrokes’ football acca takes you through our five standout predictions — including Leicester’s heavyweight clash with Birmingham and Sheffield United's trip to Middlesbrough.

Two sides with promotion ambitions meet at the King Power Stadium on Friday night, and we’re backing honours even between Leicester and Birmingham.

The Foxes have made a decent start under Martí Cifuentes, but Birmingham arrive brimming with confidence after an unbeaten league run that stretches back to the beginning of March. With both sides well-organised and possessing quality in the final third, this has all the makings of a close contest.

Leicester will want to prove their automatic promotion credentials, while Chris Davies’ Blues are determined to continue their momentum. A tight game could be decided by fine margins, so we’re tipping the spoils to be shared.

It’s been a grim opening to the season for Sheffield United, and things don’t get any easier with the Blades coming to the Riverside.

Ruben Selles’ sides are still searching for their first league points, and confidence is fragile after a poor start in both league and cup. By contrast, Rob Edwards’ Boro look sharp, boasting attacking balance and defensive solidity, with two wins from three already under their belt.

Given United’s struggles and Middlesbrough’s strong form, which has seen them win all of their league games so far, we’re backing Boro to pile on the misery and take another three points at home.

Portman Road has been a difficult place to visit for some time, and we’re predicting Derby will find that out first-hand this weekend.

Ipswich’s poor start to the campaign has put their status as play-off contenders in doubt, but Kieran McKenna’s side are strong at both ends of the pitch.

Derby have also been inconsistent, leaking goals while struggling to control games. This one feels set up for the Tractor Boys to get back on track and to take full advantage, and we’re backing Ipswich to claim three important points.

Wrexham are still adjusting to the Championship, and Millwall look like exactly the kind of side who can make life difficult at the Den.

Alex Neil’s Lions mix physicality with attacking intent, and they’ve already shown their ability to grind out results at home. Wrexham, for all their energy and impressive signings, have looked a step below at this level so far, struggling to pick up a single win in their opening three games.

We’re backing Millwall to show their nous and claim a home win against the Welsh side.

Southampton are shaping up as early promotion contenders, and we expect them to underline that status when they travel to Watford on Sunday.

Will Still's men have been fluent in possession and clinical in attack. While Watford have the same points tally as their opponents so far this season, the Saints have too much quality and depth. This looks a straightforward assignment.

We’re tipping Southampton to pick up another three points and keep the pressure on at the top.

You can bet on these five selections individually, or combine them into a bigger Championship acca, as seen below.

View the latest football odds.

All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.