The Championship returns for Matchweek 14 with a twelve-match midweek programme running across Tuesday 3 November and Wednesday 4 November 2026. A crowded upper tier sees several promotion contenders colliding directly, while clubs at the bottom end scramble to arrest slides before the table pulls away. Projections are published for Tuesday's nine matches, while the remaining calls appear on each match page the day before kickoff.
The match of the round: West Brom vs Southampton
The pick of the midweek slate takes place at The Hawthorns, where fourth-placed West Brom meet fifth-placed Southampton with just a solitary point between them. The hosts arrive on 24 points following a 3-1 away victory over West Ham and a 1-1 draw at Preston, maintaining regular scoring form behind forward Aune Selland Heggebø. James Morrison has built a side that generates steady volume in attack on home soil, though absences for Michael Johnston, Nolan Galves, and Toby Collyer narrow his rotation options.
Southampton travel with the division's most prolific attack, having racked up 28 league goals and entering on the back of a 4-1 dismantling of QPR and a 3-2 win against West Ham. Forward Cyle Larin carries an injury concern, which could blunt their edge slightly. Our model leans toward a West Brom win in a close call, projecting both teams to score and anticipating more than 2.5 goals across an open evening.
Tuesday
Blackburn host Stoke City separated by five points in mid-table. Rovers must reset after a 4-0 loss at Swansea, though Andri Guðjohnsen remains reliable with eight goals this season. Stoke arrive having beaten Preston 2-0 and Derby 1-0. Our model gives low confidence to a Blackburn win and anticipates fewer than 2.5 goals, with an exact 1-0 scoreline projected as a speculative call.
Derby welcome Norwich sitting 23rd with seven points from 13 matches, having conceded 25 goals. John Eustace's back line is depleted by injuries to Charlie Taylor, Craig Forsyth, and David Ozoh. Norwich won 3-2 against Watford and 3-1 at Charlton. The model issues a medium-confidence call for a Norwich win, forecasting more than 2.5 goals.
Second-placed Swansea travel to Portsmouth looking to build on their 4-0 victory over Blackburn, though John Mousinho's hosts are unbeaten in three and drew 0-0 at Burnley on Saturday. With Adam Idah leading the line for the Welsh side, the model cautiously projects a Swansea win in a low-scoring match of fewer than 2.5 goals.
Preston sit bottom with five points and a league-high 27 goals conceded. Jason Euell's side host tenth-placed Sheffield United, who have won two of their last three without conceding. Patrick Bamford carries the scoring threat for the visitors, and our model projects a Sheffield United win, expecting both teams to find the net.
QPR look to rebound from a 4-1 defeat at Southampton as they host 22nd-placed Burnley. Julien Stéphan's side defeated Swansea 5-0 in their last outing at Loftus Road, whereas Burnley have collected only nine points and recently fell 4-1 at Lincoln. Our model gives a medium-confidence projection for a QPR win with over 2.5 goals.
Watford take on Lincoln at Vicarage Road with Alessio Dionisi's side hovering just above the drop zone on 11 points after consecutive defeats. Lincoln sit 16th following a 3-1 home loss to Birmingham. Our model leans cautiously toward a low-scoring Watford win, seeing a tight match decided by the opening goal.
Charlton and Bolton meet level on 14 points near the bottom four. Nathan Jones's Charlton side have suffered three straight defeats, while Bolton conceded eight goals across recent losses to Bristol City and Middlesbrough. The model slightly favours Charlton to edge a 2-1 win at home, though confidence remains low.
Sixth-placed Birmingham host 12th-placed Millwall at St Andrew's. Chris Davies's side won 3-1 at Lincoln on Saturday, but top scorer August Priske is a fitness doubt. Millwall enter having defeated Derby 4-1. The model issues a medium-confidence call for a Birmingham win, anticipating goals at both ends.
Wednesday
Cardiff host West Ham in south Wales. The home side were beaten 3-0 at Wolves on Saturday but won their previous home outing 1-0 against Birmingham behind six-goal Jack Moylan. West Ham have suffered back-to-back home defeats, conceding six times against Southampton and West Brom, though Jarrod Bowen provides regular finishing quality.
League leaders Middlesbrough travel to Wrexham. The visitors sit top on 28 points with 30 goals scored, powered by Will Lankshear's 13 goals in all competitions, and arrive off consecutive wins scoring eight goals. Wrexham sit 18th having lost two straight without scoring away from home, though they beat Preston 4-1 in their last home appearance.
Third-placed Wolves visit Bristol City aiming to keep pressure on the automatic promotion spots. Wolves have won two straight without conceding, paced by Fer López's six goals this season, while Bristol City moved into 14th after an eventful 3-2 victory at Bolton.
With just four points separating first-placed Middlesbrough from Southampton in fifth, Matchweek 14 could reshuffle the automatic promotion places, while bottom-side Preston and Derby risk falling further behind if their defensive frailties persist.
