Another enthralling weekend of football in the Championship awaits, with several matches that could shape the standings over the next few weeks.
The current top three, Middlesbrough, Swansea and West Ham, are separated by just three points, meaning the standings could change at the top if any of these teams drop points in their upcoming games.
Things are even more congested further down the order, as fourth-placed Wolves are separated by just three points from 11th-placed Portsmouth.
Meanwhile, teams such as Preston North End, Derby County and Burnley are already facing must-win games, as they sit in the relegation zone, with the gap to safety growing with every gameweek.
However, the season is still young, and plenty of matchweeks remain. A good run of results can change the fate of any team.
Norwich City vs Watford – Saturday, October 31, 12:30
In a high-stakes game, Norwich City host Watford in an EFL Championship clash that could have serious implications for both teams.
Both sides are too close to the relegation zone for comfort, and another defeat could make things far worse for the team that loses this match.
Form guide
Norwich sit 20th in the points table, with just four wins and eight defeats from their 12 games.
However, the Canaries head into this game on the back of a timely win. Last weekend, they beat Charlton Athletic 3-1 away from home, ending their six-game losing run in all competitions.
Despite the recent win, Norwich’s defensive record remains a major concern. They have conceded 22 goals in 12 games, an average of 1.83 per match, making them the fourth-worst defensive side in the Championship.
Watford are just a point behind Norwich and sit one place below them heading into this game. But while the Canaries have shown promise in attack, the Hornets have struggled in front of goal.
Alessio Dionisi’s team has scored just 10 goals in 12 games, the fewest in the Championship. They have also kept only one clean sheet all season, which came in a 2-0 home win over Charlton Athletic on October 17.
If the Hornets are to avoid relegation, they must improve their attack, which is averaging just 0.83 goals per game.
Their away form is another concern. Watford have lost each of their last four away matches, conceding nine goals and failing to score in three of those games.
Team news:
Norwich remain without Mohamed Touré, who is still recovering from shoulder surgery.
Ali Ahmed will also miss this clash as he continues his recovery from a serious knee injury.
Ante Crnac and Mirko Topic have returned to training, but their lengthy ACL layoffs mean both remain short of full match fitness and are unlikely to feature.
Paris Maghoma picked up a knock against Charlton and remains a major doubt for this game. The 25-year-old scored in the last match, but Jovon Makama is likely to replace him in Norwich’s starting XI if Maghoma fails to recover in time.
For Watford, Daniel Bachmann has returned to full fitness. However, with Federico Ravaglia in good form, Bachmann is likely to start on the bench.
Edoardo Bove, Jeremy Ngakia, Kwadwo Baah and Jack Grieves remain the main longer-term injury concerns.
Alessio Dionisi has been using a 5-3-2 formation away from home, and the back-five system is expected to continue in this clash.
Match odds
The odds also favour Norwich, with the Canaries priced at 3/5 to win, while a draw is available at 17/5 and a Watford victory at 23/5.
Suggested bet
Norwich to win 1-0.
Stoke City vs Preston North End – Saturday, October 31, 12:30
In-form Stoke City will host relegation-bound Preston North End in a Championship clash at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Stoke sit ninth in the points table, having won six of their 12 matches. More importantly, they are just five points behind current table-toppers Middlesbrough and three points adrift of second-placed Swansea.
Preston, on the other hand, have won just once in their 12 league games and sit at the bottom of the table heading into this clash.
Form guide
Stoke City last played in the Premier League during the 2017-18 season, when they were relegated from England’s top tier. Since then, they have spent eight seasons in the Championship, consistently finishing in the bottom half of the table.
But this season seems different. The Potters finally look like a team capable of challenging for a top-six finish.
They have won six of their last nine matches, losing just once and drawing the other two. That run has earned them 20 points from a possible 27, bringing them within touching distance of the top two.
Preston, on current form, look destined for relegation. They have won just once this season, with that win coming on September 5 in a 2-1 home win over Blackburn Rovers.
Since then, they have played seven games, failed to score in three, kept no clean sheets and lost five times.
Even the appointment of club legend Graham Alexander has done little to change their fortunes. Preston have lost three of their four games since he took charge on September 28, 2026.
With just 10 goals, the Lilywhites are the Championship’s joint-lowest scorers this season, alongside Derby County and Watford.
However, Preston ended their three-game losing run with a 1-1 home draw against fifth-placed West Brom, which should give them some confidence. Still, they have picked up just one point from six away games this season.
Team news
Million Manhoef missed Stoke’s 0-0 draw against Bristol City due to family issues, and his availability for this game remains uncertain.
Stoke left wing-back Eric Bocat suffered a knee injury during the 1-0 win over Derby County on October 17 and is expected to return after the November international break.
Lamine Cisse rolled his ankle in the last game and was substituted in the 21st minute. He remains a major doubt for this clash.
Sam Gallagher, Svante Ingelsson and Aaron Cresswell are also nursing injuries and remain sidelined.
For Preston, Jordan Thompson is available for selection again after serving a one-match suspension.
Lewis Gibson remains sidelined after undergoing hernia surgery, while Alfie Devine is also a doubt due to fitness concerns.
Match odds
Stoke City are priced at 3/4 to win, while a draw is available at 14/5 and a Preston win at 18/5.
Suggested bets
Stoke City to win 2-0.
Lincoln City vs Birmingham City – Saturday, October 31, 12:30
The EFL Championship match between Lincoln City and Birmingham City takes place on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 12:30 PM UK time at the ProAmpac Stadium (LNER Stadium).
Form guide
Despite winning just four of their first 12 games, newly promoted Lincoln City have been impressive this season.
The Imps sit 15th in the table, seven points clear of the relegation zone. Avoiding the drop is their main target this season, and so far, they have been doing well in that regard.
Lincoln should also be full of confidence heading into this game after ending their four-match winless run with a 4-1 win over Burnley in their last outing.
Lincoln, who are being co-managed by Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, are averaging 1.08 goals per game this season while conceding 1.67 per match. They have also kept four clean sheets in their first 12 Championship matches.
Birmingham City, meanwhile, have their sights set much higher after a strong start to the season. They sit seventh with 20 points, just three behind second-placed Swansea City.
Like Lincoln, Birmingham have also kept four clean sheets in their first 12 Championship matches, but three of those have come in their last four games.
Chris Davies’ team also boast one of the best defensive records in the division, having conceded just 12 goals in 12 matches. Going forward, they are averaging 1.67 goals per game.
However, the Blues head into this game looking to bounce back after their five-game unbeaten run came to an end with a 1-0 defeat to Cardiff City last weekend.
Team news
Lincoln City remain without captain Tendayi Darikwa, who is sidelined through injury.
However, Freddie Draper and Tom Hamer are expected to return from suspension for the Imps this weekend.
Lincoln head coach Tom Shaw has eased concerns over Sonny Bradley after the defender was substituted during the 4-1 win over Burnley last weekend.
Shaw confirmed that the change was precautionary, but Ryley Towler could replace Bradley in the starting XI if he is not fit enough to feature from the start on Saturday.
For Birmingham, August Priske is pushing for a starting spot after regaining full fitness.
Paik Seung-Ho and Marc Leonard, however, remain sidelined for the visitors.
Match odds
Birmingham enter the contest as the favourites, with the Blues priced at 23/20 for a win. Lincoln City are available at 12/5, while a draw is priced at 13/5.
Suggested bets
Lincoln to score but Birmingham to win 2-1.
By Anuraj Tyagi
READ NEXT: EFL Championship: West Ham vs West Bromwich Albion preview and prediction
