Skip to content

Ian Holloway's predictions: Honours even for Newcastle and Brighton

Ian Holloway is back with his Sky Bet EFL predictions
Image: Ian Holloway is back with his Sky Bet EFL predictions

Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway is back to give us his views on the Sky Bet EFL action.

After Burton beat Derby 1-0 on Friday night, there is one more Sky Bet Championship game live on Sky Sports this weekend, while two of Sky Bet League One's big boys do battle at The Valley and Ollie's old sides meet in Sky Bet League Two.

Here are his tips for this weekend's games...

Newcastle v Brighton - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 5.15pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from Ashton Gate as Bristol City took on Newcastle in the Sky Bet Championship

What a fantastic game this is going to be and I've got the pleasure of watching it in the studio. It's Chris Hughton going back to Newcastle and Rafa Benitez is just starting to get them ticking over. It's difficult to separate them.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 and Glenn Murray first goalscorer (Sky Bet odds 9/2)

Live EFL

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports’ Ian Holloway meets Brighton boss Chris Hughton in an exclusive interview for EFL title sponsor Sky Bet

Birmingham v Norwich - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, 3pm

It was a difficult week for Birmingham losing to Wolves last Saturday and now one of the best sides in the division are coming to them. I think it will be too tough for them and Norwich will take the win at St Andrew's.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)

Also See:

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of Ipswich's 1-1 draw with Norwich in the Sky Bet Championship

Blackburn v Fulham - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, 3pm

I think Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic is absolutely fantastic. He keeps selling their best players but he's got them really well organised and they are all enjoying what they are doing. I think they will have too much for Blackburn. 

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of Leeds' 1-1 draw with Fulham in the Sky Bet Championship

Blackburn have had a terrible, terrible start. Their defence is completely all over the place at the moment and they are letting in goals willy nilly. They need to sort that out and I think Fulham will be too strong for them on the day.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

Bristol City v Aston Villa - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, 3pm

Aston Villa's Manager Roberto Di Matteo on the touch line during the Sky Bet Championship match at the iPro Stadium, Derby.
Image: Roberto Di Matteo has drawn his last two Sky Bet Championship games

What a game, I would love to go to this one! The whole town is buzzing. Rovers are buzzing, City are buzzing with their new stadium and the giants of Aston Villa are coming down. 

Bristol City faced Newcastle last week and only lost 1-0 so I think they could get a draw this time.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 9/2)

Huddersfield v Wolves - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, 3pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from St Andrew's as Birmingham take on Wolves in the Sky Bet Championship

Wow, both have started brilliantly. I have to give this one to Huddersfield. Obviously Wolves can do what they like but they sacked my mate Kenny Jackett which always sticks in my craw a little bit. I don't know much about Walter Zenga but I felt like Kenny was hard done by.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)

Nottingham Forest v Leeds - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, 3pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights of Nottingham Forest against Wigan in the Sky Bet Championship

What a fantastic game that is. Leeds got their first win last weekend and Nottingham Forest are high scoring. Their manager was a little bit upset that they were letting too many goals in so it should be a good game. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)

Wigan v QPR - Sky Bet Championship, Saturday, 3pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

QPR midfielder Sandro considers his future after making his return from injury

Both sides have had a good start to the season, but I can just see Queens Park Rangers edging it on their travels to the DW Stadium. Away win.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 11/1)

Charlton v Bolton - Sky Bet League One, Saturday, 3pm

They are two big sides in that division. Bolton are still top and I think it will be a very good match. I can't separate them.

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from Sky Bet League One as Walsall take on Charlton

I think the Charlton crowd have settled down a little bit with wanting their owners out which never really helps. Bolton have got a new manager in charge and new owners so I think they will steadily chip away at that division. They are both too big for the division and they should be up there challenging for promotion by the end of it. 

OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5-1)

Blackpool v Plymouth - Sky Bet League Two, Saturday, 3pm

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Highlights from Sky Bet League Two as Plymouth take on Mansfield

They are two of my old clubs. Plymouth have had a bit of a dodgy start compared to what they were probably expecting. Blackpool is a tough place to go and my heart is still there.

OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 10/1)

Around Sky