As the sun sets on another thrilling European Championship, Our EFL pundit Gab Sutton looks ahead to the upcoming domestic football season. He’s given his league table prediction for the Championship Betting, giving in-depth analysis for every side.
1st – Sunderland
The common approach to judging teams ahead of a new season is looking at where they finished in the previous campaign as a benchmark, before making a prediction based upon improvements made through positive recruitment or a managerial appointment.
In this case, Sunderland finished 16th last year. Nevertheless, our prediction isn’t primarily based on signings nor, especially, the appointment of Régis Le Bris as head coach.
So, why do we have them as our Championship title-winners? The answer: the anticipation of rapid, seismic developmental growth.
Let us explain.
Under the ownership of Kyril Louis-Dreyfus, and the guidance of technical director Kristjaan Speakman, the Black Cats have adopted black kittens, employing an uncompromisingly youth-led recruitment and strategic policy.
This policy has helped them attain, and retain, the prodigious talents of Dan Neil, Jobe Bellingham, and Chris Rigg.
Neil has recently added a defensive reliability to the control and creativity he’s demonstrated since coming into the side as a teenager. Jobe is making a name for himself in his own right after snubbing Spurs, while Rigg plays with a fearlessness that suggests the 17-year-old could become anything he wants.
Furthermore, Sunderland also boast recent France U20s prospects in Pierre Ekwah and Adil Aouchiche, both now 22. The former brings an infectious energy while the latter possesses stunning vision. And that’s just in midfield!
The Wearsiders also possess two of the best wingers in the Championship in Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke, if the latter were to stay. They equally boast one of the top right-backs in the tenacious Trai Hume, who also has the intelligence to invert into midfield.
The potential in this squad is through the roof, to the extent that it might only take a few subtle tweaks and shifts for them to go from being bottom half dwellers to one of the greatest second-tier sides of all time.
One of those tweaks is having a more settled environment under a good coach. After the chaos caused last season by Tony Mowbray’s dismissal and Michael Beale’s appointment, perhaps Le Bris can live up to his reputation in France as a respected developer of talent.
A second can be the young players, themselves, having had a couple of seasons of development under their belts, beginning to learn how to translate their glowing youth reputations into the senior game.
It’s common for elite youth talents to underwhelm in men’s football in their first season or two, but to then enjoy an enormous spike in their progress.
In Sunderland’s case, just three teenagers remain in their 27-man first-team squad. 17 are now into their early 20s, at an age where they can be relied on to consistently influence games at Championship level.
The third is the influence of Luke O’Nien, who’ll be their most important player: even if he doesn’t start a single game.
The 29-year-old never had the natural ability most of Sunderland’s squad possesses, but he’s overcome his technical limitations – and every other challenge that’s come his way – with the same relentless positivity, infectious exuberance and sheer determination.
Having signed as a midfielder in 2018, the utility man has also filled in at both full-back and wing-back spots, operated as a pressing #10. More recently, he has established himself at centre-back in the last two seasons.
In fact, O’Nien initially covered central defence in 2022-23 due to injuries, but he played so well there that he started 43 league games in that position last season: an extraordinary mentality.
So, if the former Wycombe man can rub off on natural centre-backs like key man Dan Ballard, who himself has now played 61 games for Sunderland, Nectarios Triantis and Jensen Seelt, as well as the rest of the squad, that will make a transformative difference.
If this young group adopt that same mentality as O’Nien, with greater ability, they’ll improve exponentially and hit some incredible heights.
The O’Nienification process will be helped, further, by the addition of midfielder Alan Browne, who plays every game with a unique urgency.
Browne is 29, while Simon Moore has signed at 34 to back-up an outstanding goalkeeper in Anthony Patterson. Evidently, Sunderland have been prepared to compromise their policy this summer to fine-tune the balance between youth and experience.
So, why do we have Sunderland as champions?
This is the highest-potential squad in the league by a country mile. The Black Cats have already had two years of exposure, with most players about to hit their peak. This, alongside a few experienced heads now to lean on, with perhaps a more stable coaching regime for guidance.
Add the right striker and it could be a perfect storm…
2nd – Leeds United
Having begun last summer with a mood of uncertainty and disgruntlement hanging over the club, it’s been a positive 12 months at Elland Road.
Off the pitch, the 49ers have professionalised the club as a day-to-day operation, through the guidance of chairman Paraag Marathe.
On it, Leeds amassed 90 points in the Championship, which would have sufficed for automatic promotion in any of the previous six seasons. On this instance, however, they missed out to Leicester and Ipswich, before losing to Southampton in the Play-Off Final.
Strong foundations are in place, then, aided by the sale of teenage prodigy Archie Gray, for which the £40M has addressed any issues with financial compliance. Joe Rodon has also returned.
Rodon, with fit again centre-back partner Pascal Struijk, midfield dynamo Ethan Ampadu, speedy winger Dan James, poacher Joel Piroe, selfless forward Georginio Rutter, and inverted winger Cryencio Summerville, the best player in the Championship last season, represent a reliable septet around which boss Daniel Farke can build.
And build, he’s done, signing Jayden Bogle from Sheffield United to bring more attacking impetus from right-back, and Joe Rothwell, to add ball-carrying craft to what had been a safe, if dry, midfield.
Goalkeeper Ilian Meslier, left-back Junior Firpo and inside forward Willy Gnonto each have some question marks around them. They also have the pedigree, at least, to be top-end players for the level if they can answer them.
Plus, midfielder Charlie Crew and forward Mateo Joseph are exciting young prospects from a thriving academy who could be ready to burst onto the scene if they’re not loaned out.
The Whites are in a good place, then. While boss Daniel Farke’s in-game management could be sharpened up, according to some, he did a good job last season and has a golden opportunity to build on that.
Of the prospective promotion contenders, Leeds harbour the fewest question marks.
3rd – West Brom
Shilen Patel’s takeover meant more to West Bromwich Albion fans than any promotion could have done under Lai Guochuan.
Having reached the Play-Offs last season, the Baggies could have gone up. Had that success come under the previous ownership regime, they would so blatantly have come straight back down.
Now, real, sustainable foundations can be put in place under an owner who seems to have the will, wherewithal and wiliness to make it work.
Albion boast arguably the best Head Coach in the Championship, too, in Carlos Corberán, who has delivered 130 points from 79 games in charge: comfortably Play-Off form. That’s without a single transfer window under Patel – so what can he do with greater resources?
Well, he’s just signed Joe Wildsmith from Derby, to back-up one of the best goalkeepers in the second-tier in Alex Palmer, defender Torbjørn Heggem and midfielder Ousmane Diakité.
The versatile Heggem might bring more progressive qualities to the back-line than the imperious Cédric Kipré and Kyle Bartley have been able to. Diakité is also a tough customer, whether that’s in the air or on the ground, with excellent defensive qualities.
With other solid operators who can look after the ball also in midfield, like Alex Mowatt and Okay Yokuşlu, WBA should be well organised this season, as the additions give Corberán much-needed depth.
Deeper midfield isn’t exactly oozing with creativity, though, so whoever plays #10 must do a lot of the heavy lifting.
As such, the success of the attack may rely on further additions, as well as Grady Diangana and Brandon Thomas-Asante finding form and fitness, or Jed Wallace recapturing his 2022-23 levels.
It’s hard to envisage West Brom finishing outside the top six, though.
New owners, a steady squad and arguably the best manager in the Championship: things look pretty rosy at the Hawthorns.
4th – Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough’s 8th-place finish last season might have looked a disappointment to an outsider, after Michael Carrick’s side had reached the Play-Offs the year before, but that wasn’t how it felt from within.
Boro had to replace the big numbers provided by Ryan Giles, Cameron Archer and Chuba Akpom in 2022-23 and, all season, they were hit by injuries, suspensions and international call-ups. Consequently, Carrick could never pick his best XI let alone enjoy a settled period with it.
With that in mind, the Teessiders still managed to finish within four points of the top six, whilst developing key assets like Rav van den Berg, Hayden Hackney and Finn Azaz.
In those three, Middlesbrough have one of the best progressive defenders, midfield all-rounders, and ‘high-risk, high-reward’ creators at this level respectively, and could be about to see the fruits of their developmental labour.
Rumours are rife, too, that Giles will return at left-back to provide some much-needed pace and guile, and could link up superbly on the flank with the driven Riley McGree, while the midfield is strengthened by the signing of Aidan Morris.
A US international, Morris shows up well in numerous data metrics for Columbus Crew in the MLS, including tackling, passing and ball-carrying.
So, goalkeeper Seny Dieng, with a centre-back pairing of Darragh Lenihan and Matt Clarke, then Morris and Hackney in front of them, represents solid foundations, meaning Carrick’s side should concede fewer league goals than last season’s 62.
If Emmanuel Latte Lath can pick up his stunning form from the second half of last season – in which the Ivorian bagsman hit 11 in the final 12 – Middlesbrough could be quite the promotion prospect.
5th – Luton
One of the best-run clubs in the country, Luton can take immense pride from the account they gave of themselves in the Premier League, with competitive performances against the big boys at Kenilworth Road.
Because the Hatters were sensible last summer, and in January, under a shrewd regime led by chairman David Wilkinson, and CEO Gary Sweet, they return to the Championship in a stable position.
In Rob Edwards, meanwhile, the Bedfordshire outfit have a talented head coach whom the fans just adore – a few non-Luton fans might be keen on him too!
Nobody in this Town squad is exactly streets above Championship level, like some relegated Premier League clubs might have been when they came down.
What they do have, however, is a core of players in athletic centre-back Teden Mengi, destructive midfielder Marvellous Nakamba, attacking left wing-back Alfie Doughty, and physical striker Elijah Adebayo who can be among the league’s top performers if they remain – with some Doughts over Alfie.
Then, there’s a further 12-14 players who would be good enough to start regularly for a top six side, and another 6-8 who can make a reasonable contribution to a top-six squad.
As such, they can recruit from a place of abundance rather than scarcity, which should help them identify those remaining pieces of quality. Edwards will have hoped to have found it in Reuell Walters and Shandon Baptiste.
Walters brings athleticism, versatility and ball-playing talent, while Baptiste will be looking to make-up for lost time after the hot prospect lost some momentum in his career at Brentford due to injuries.
Luton must regain momentum, themselves, after a gruelling top-flight campaign, but they do look the best-placed of the relegated clubs.
6th – Sheffield Wednesday
Of all the 24 teams in the Championship, Sheffield Wednesday’s 2024-25 carries the greatest range of realistic possibilities.
While Dejphon Chansiri is the owner, it’s difficult to trust the Owls as a structural entity. It’s often been said that when things feel most serene at Hillsborough, the Thai businessman is likeliest to flare things up through needless confrontation, knocking everything off-kilter.
Wednesday boast, however, in Danny Röhl, arguably the Championship’s highest-potential coach.
The German inherited the second-tier’s worst ever start and, after overseeing five defeats in his first six, his side were rock bottom with a paltry six points from 17.
There had been an immediate upturn in performances, though, and after November’s 2-1 loss at Birmingham, the Steel City outfit accrued 47 points from 29 games, enjoying Play-Off form to secure their survival on the final day.
Since then, Röhl has quashed speculation of exit by signing a three-year contract, perhaps with assurances from Chansiri that he’ll be given the space and autonomy to do the job.
So, it’s fingers crossed, for now, that all is ok off-the-field. Progress can hopefully be made on it, after a full pre-season for Röhl to implement his ideas.
The 35-year-old has also been active in the transfer window. He has retained star goalkeeper James Beadle on loan from Brighton, as well as adding veteran Ben Hamer for competition, whilst making seven outfield additions.
Those signings include a mix of left-field recruits like Svante Ingelsson and Olaf Kobacki, versatile forward-thinkers poached from Hansa Rostock and Arka Gdynia respectively, and more obvious, Championship stalwart picks like left-back Max Lowe and steady midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah.
Elsewhere, Di’Shon Bernard should be the Owls’ best defender after signing a new contract, while wide men Djeidi Gassama and Anthony Musaba are quick, powerful runners who should be dangerous in transitions, likewise forward Jamal Lowe, who signs from Bournemouth.
With firepower remaining somewhat in question at the time of writing, a midtable finish would be a positive forward step after last year’s dogfight, especially under current ownership.
Chansiri isn’t the one working with the players every day, though – we hope – and perhaps he can stay far enough in the background so as to not disrupt Röhl’s work.
The German has earnt so much belief that, in spite of the club’s upstairs mismanagement, it feels as though there’s almost no limit to what can be achieved…
7th – Coventry
While a 9th-placed finish might suggest Coventry regressed in 2023-24, they arguably enter this season in better shape.
Admittedly, the Sky Blues reached the Play-Off Final in 2022-23. However, they’d relied heavily on star men Gus Hamer and Viktor Gyokeres, who subsequently left. Equally, they had five loanees in the match-day squad that lost narrowly to Luton at Wembley.
On the other hand, the Midlanders only finished last season with one loanee, in defender Luis Binks, who’s since signed permanently, and they haven’t had to sell a big-hitter like Ben Sheaf – yet – although Callum O’Hare has gone on a free to Sheffield United.
There’s a narrower gap this season between City’s best players and the rest, and while this may not lend itself to a one-off automatic promotion charge, under a legendary manager in Mark Robins, it does bode well for sustainability.
Fans used to be able to instantly reel off their two or three star men, whereas now, attacking right-back Milan van Ewijk, speedy wide forward Haji Wright, his tricky counterpart Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and powerful striker Ellis Simms, as well as the all-action Sheaf, might be classed as the most important, but not by miles.
Goalkeeper Oliver Dovin and midfielder Jack Rudoni could easily come into that conversation, after the acrobatic Swede signed from Hammarby IF, and the all-action #8 arrived from Huddersfield, respectively.
Coventry also enjoy the reliability of left-back Jake Bidwell, versatile defender Joel Latibeaudiere and energetic midfielder Josh Eccles, who represent the understated, consistent 7/10s that can be the bedrock of any successful side.
Conversely, playmaker Victor Torp didn’t produce his very best last season, but there’s a palpable belief that the Dane could go up another level.
Ephron Mason-Clark has done so, literally, after returning from his League One loan at former club Peterborough, and will provide acrobatic athleticism combined with cool assurance in front of goal.
Raphael Borges Rodrigues looks an exciting prospect poached from Macarthur, too, possessing fine feat and stunning vision. He and Mason-Clark, with Wright and Sakamoto, represent an appealing set of wide forward options.
With so many players to look out for, most of whom having had a year to acclimatize to this level, the Sky Blues should be a better-rounded team and will be in the Play-Off equation for the duration.
It might take another year, though, for the next set of big-hitters to reach their ceiling, and for incoming first-team coaches George Boateng and Rhys Carr to confidently fill the shoes of the highly influential Adi Viveash, who departed this summer.
8th – Norwich
After a three-year period that’s been mentally draining for all sorts of reasons, genuine optimism returns to Carrow Road.
While Norwich reached the Play-Offs last season, it would have been hard to have seen them maintaining that form under David Wagner, having looked turgid on the road and, at home, reliant on individualism.
Now, with a head coach in Johannes Hoff Thorup who will implement a coherent style of play, a Sporting Director in Ben Knapper with a clear vision, and the hope of much-needed fresh investment under Mark Attanasio, who increased his stake to 40.4% in April, there’s a path to sustainable progress that would previously have been hard to see.
The first step on that path is resolving the futures of the Canaries’ star men of 2023-24. Samba-style midfielder Gabriel Sara, goalscoring wide man Jonny Rowe and pressing forward Josh Sargent, who has been away in pre-season for the Copa América.
Clarity on big assets would help. Likewise the anticipated addition of Callum Doyle on loan from Manchester City.
Having filled a similar role at Leicester, Doyle would operate as the ‘teamsheet left-back’ in Thorup’s 4-3-3, acting as a left centre-back in possession, when Jack Stacey flies forward from right-back and Borja Sainz pushes on from a press-resisting midfield role, to create a 3-2-5 shape.
José Córdoba would operate in the middle of that defensive trio, with the Panamanian centre-back looking a smart, hipster signing from Levski Sofia: you don’t find quick, strong, left-footed 23-year-old centre-backs who can play, on a budget, without a rigorous recruitment process.
There’s not much more recruitment required this summer, though, as the Yellows possess a core of proven Championship performers in goalkeeper Angus Gunn, old-school centre-backs Grant Hanley and Shane Duffy, reliable midfielder Kenny McLean, Chilean creator Marcelino Núñez and industrious striker Ashley Barnes, as well as the aforementioned.
A thriving academy has produced numerous hot prospects, too, including defensive leader Brad Hills, inside forward Abu Kamara and lively poacher Ken Aboh, any one of whom could enjoy a meteoric rise under the new Danish coach.
It may take time for stylistic principles to sink in, but the local mood is akin to one year prior to their last successful era.
Norwich hope to start a new one, through a more explorative recruitment strategy and fresh principles of play, as the club from Norfolk broaden their horizons.
9th – Burnley
When Burnley stormed to the Championship title in 2022-23, they blew their opponents out of the water with an irresistibly swashbuckling style under Vincent Kompany.
The Clarets are unlikely to enjoy a repeat of that under Scott Parker, who has won two promotions at this level previously with newly-relegated clubs in Fulham and Bournemouth, but without necessarily bringing the wow factor.
Then again, natives aren’t experiencing too much melancholy for the Kompany brand, even with the Belgian now at Bayern Munich, based on last season’s various PL own goals.
Furthermore, with six of 2022-23’s best XI remaining – industrious right-back Connor Roberts, assured centre-back Jordan Beyer, midfield controller Josh Cullen and dynamic creator Josh Brownhill, plus inverted wingers Anass Zaroury and Manuel Benson – there’s a world in which Burnley rekindle that synergy without him.
More likely, though, is Parker’s conservative approach holding the East Lancashire outfit back from achieving the same territorial dominance.
Parker can bring out the strengths of individual players, having built a crossing side at Craven Cottage to maximize Mitrovic, and a transitional Cherries outfit to get the best out of a dangerous left side.
His sides have never emphatically impressed as a collective, though, basing their success on sporadic moments of individual quality – not always sustainable.
If the 43-year-old can change his approach, lift the hand-break off, and allow new full-backs Shurandy Sambo and Lucas Pires to fly forward, and any of their plethora of attacking midfield and wide creators to fashion chances for an athletic, high-volume striker in Andreas Hountondji, it might just work out at this level.
When having to motivate as many as 39 senior players, however – even if that number may decrease – it takes excellent man management qualities.
While Parker may have taken some of the inspirational wisdom he demonstrated as a captain into his managerial career, it’s a facet of his work that, fairly or not, has gained surprisingly mixed reviews.
Start slowly and Burnley might underwhelm…
10th – Bristol City
Since winning the League One title and JPT double in 2014-15, Bristol City have found a home in the Championship’s midtable.
Four and three-year periods of incremental progress sandwiched a short, mistake-ridden two-year epoch which saw them fall from eighth under Lee Johnson in 2018-19 to 17th in 2020-21 under Nigel Pearson, who subsequently picked up the pieces.
Pearson never looked likely to do too more than that, though, so it’s down to Liam Manning to help City make the next step that eluded them under Johnson.
And, whilst they previously wasted money once they got into the top half, they’re now investing in assets likelier to appreciate.
Wide forward Yu Hirakawa, on loan from Japanese club Machida Zelvia, looks an intelligent, agile presser with deceptive speed, and an ability to finish instinctively with either foot.
Fally Mayulu also has that trait, with the quick-footed 6’4” centre-forward bringing intelligent hold-up qualities from Rapid Wien, while Sinclair Armstrong, added from QPR, will provide a counter-attacking threat with his pace and power.
With goalkeeper Max O’Leary, centre-backs Zak Vyner and Rob Dickie, plus all-action midfielder Joe Williams providing a solid spine, along with the ex-Derby duo of Max Bird and Jason Knight, Bristol City have strong foundations.
Manning’s men may not quite have the quality required for the Play-Offs, but if they can begin to home in on more of a pressing, transitions-led identity, which the personnel is now there to do, then a progressive top-10 finish could be on the cards.
11th – Stoke
Since relegation from the Premier League in 2018, Stoke have suffocated under the weight of expectation.
The Potters have endured five successive bottom half finishes, culminating in last season’s struggle against the drop.
Having recruited excessively in previous summers to give themselves a bloated squad, with as many as 21 additions last year, it could be a good thing that it’s been quieter this time around.
Many of last summer’s 16 permanent signings didn’t hit the ground running, but flying right-back Junior Tchamadeu, high-volume passer Luke Cundle, physical Million Manhoef, his fellow wide forward, the more enigmatic André Vidigal, and false nine Ryan Mmaee may benefit from the year to acclimatize.
Wouter Burger and Bae Jun-Ho, though, needed no such patience, impressing the first time around – the former as a creative midfielder, the latter as a nimble, advanced operator. They will be hoping to build on that opening effort if they stay in the Potteries.
Stoke have added Viktor Johansson, having been one of the Championship’s best shot-stoppers last season in a doomed Rotherham side. The Swede will be looking to reduce last season’s total of 60 goals conceded.
So, too, will experienced centre-back Ben Gibson and left-back Eric Bocat, so highly rated at Sint-Truiden in the Belgian Pro League last season as to presume him unattainable.
There’s young talent, too: watch out for 17-year-old midfielder Sol Sidibe, who’s already made eight first-team appearances, including four in the league and, having got into the England Under-18s squad, could shoot through the pack ahead of schedule.
Very much behind schedule as a club, Stoke struggled last season, but found form when it came to the crunch with just one defeat in the final eight.
Now, boss Steven Schumacher has a chance to get his ideas across in a more extended format, and the presence of a Sporting Director in Jonathan Walters who cares deeply about the club and has some operational experience in the game, should be a plus.
Significant progress is the expectation – and that could extend to a top half escapade if things begin to amalgamate.
12th – QPR
When describing QPR’s 2023-24 as “a season of three thirds”, Loft for Words columnist Andrew Scherer put it best.
Under Gareth Ainsworth, the Rs showed negligible attacking intent, and ‘Wild Thing’ left Loftus Road with the team languishing in 23rd – with eight points from their opening 14.
At the start of Martí Cifuentes’ regime, the West Londoners enjoyed more control to initial optimism, but progress was incremental with 13 points from his first 13.
Defensive mix-ups like December’s 2-0 loss at Millwall, however, prompted a re-think, as the Spaniard compromised his stylistic ideals to suit personnel, with more emphasis on quality of attacks than quantity, embracing incisive transitions.
Those tweaks, coupled with smart January signings like Lucas Andersen, prompted a seismic improvement of 32 points from the remaining 19 league games, putting them 4th in the form table in that period, with safety attained comfortably in the end.
Now, the Hoops are shooting for more than survival, and have a core in converted right-back Jimmy Dunne, ball-playing centre-back Jake Clarke-Salter, attacking left-back Kenneth Paal, all-action midfielder Sam Field, plus creators Ilias Chair and Andersen, who are good enough to deliver.
They need to add pace, after Sinclair Armstrong left for Bristol City, but talented Liam Morrison arrives permanently from Bayern Munich after a positive loan at Wigan to offer another progressive option to central defence, after veteran Steve Cook starred in a more no-nonsense way last season.
Progress feels inevitable: just how much will depend on whether goalkeeper Paul Nardi and striker Žan Celar can solve their troubles at either end.
13th – Swansea
After two seasons of possession-heavy, stylistic idealism under Russ Martin, Swansea’s move for the more pragmatic Michael Duff didn’t go as hoped. So, in January, it was back to the familiar face of Luke Williams.
Having assisted the now-Southampton boss for much of his spell at the Liberty, Williams is basically a clone of Russ Martin, prototyped to be funnier, more charming, with a more comprehensive coaching background, but five years older with no hair – making him less likely to get poached!
Williams should have the time, therefore, to get the best out of deep-lying playmaker Matt Grimes, roaming centre-back Harry Darling, and nimble creator Oli Cooper – all of whom suit his methodology down to the ground.
So, too, should 22-year-old Eom Ji-Sung, who will bring creativity, pace and skill from the left. The wide forward is an agile, unpredictable operator around the edge of the box with excellent movement. He’s also a composed finisher, too, having scored internationally for South Korea.
Conversely, athletic winger Ronald will provide an infusion of directness on the right, while Gonçalo Franco adds bite and dynamism in midfield, after the former Portugal Under-20 international, now 23, signed from Moreirense.
Recruitment should bring excitement for the Swans, with Ji-Sung and Franco having the international talent to develop under a quality coach. The squad remains a trifle thin however, as some supporters question the board.
The South Wales outfit possess 19 senior players, of which Ben Cabango, Kristian Pedersen and Jay Fulton aren’t natural stylistic fits, and it’s touch-and-go as to whether a further 4-5 from the group will be at the standard required.
As such, Swansea might have to rely on youth for depth, putting onus on versatile defender Sam Parker, speedy poacher Josh Thomas, and driven utility man Azeem Abdulai to step up, with each of the trio having gained international recognition.
Swansea and Williams will be a great fit in the long run, but this looks every inch a developmental campaign. Don’t go for any hair transplants, Luke…
14th – Sheffield United
With the club relegated from the Premier League last season amid financial difficulty, Sheffield United appear to be hoping a touch of sentimentality can help them through an uncertain time.
Boss Chris Wilder retains widespread popularity, with the club legend adored as a fan, former ballboy, ex-player and, from his first stint, the most successful manager in the club’s modern history.
His external stock, however, isn’t what it used to be. So, does it matter that Wilder wouldn’t necessarily have got a Championship job last season – let alone a top flight one – if it wasn’t for his reputation at Bramall Lane?
Unity-wise, no: there’s something uniquely romantic about having a manager who’s supported the club all his life. So who cares what mere outsiders say? Their doubts only serve to strengthen the siege mentality.
Tactically speaking, perhaps, the edge Wilder once had over his competitors is no longer obvious.
The ‘overlapping centre-backs’ phenomenon that was once exclusive to the Blades is now mainstream, so the 56-year-old needs to find another area of marginal gain, something he’s yet to do in the four years since his last categorically successful season as a manger.
Furthermore, with question marks in goal and in defence, after the team shipped 104 in the Premier League last season, it’s a tough rebuilding job for the Blade-by-birth. And that’s not the only end of the pitch in need of surgery.
It might have been overly optimistic for the club to expect double-figure contributions from either Will Osula or Rhian Brewster, with the strikers having scored none and four league goals for the club in 28 and 50 appearances respectively.
Thankfully, Wilder has been able to strengthen up top, with Championship-proven target man Kieffer Moore poached from Bournemouth, and possibly at left wing-back, where Peterborough technician Harrison Burrows is a reported target. These would be outstanding additions!
Elsewhere, energetic, ball-carrying #10 Callum O’Hare rekindles the bromance with former Coventry teammate Gus Hamer, who’s long-range passing is among the best in the league.
If Hamer stays, then United’s midfield looks a strong point, after Oli Arblaster stepped up admirably in the second half of last season, following a progressive League One loan with Port Vale.
Another Blade, who has been at the club since the age of six, Arblaster has demonstrated the drive of a potential future captain, many feel, while there’s excitement over another 20-year-old midfielder in Andre Brooks.
With Anel Ahmedhodžić and Vinícius Souza expected to depart along with Jayden Bogle, though, it’s a squad with more areas that don’t convince than areas that do, all while Wilder looks to reset the culture and restore some pride.
With change required off the field as well as on it, and a manager not quite the proposition he was previously, promotion feels like a long shot – even for a parachute payment beneficiary.
15th – Cardiff
With structural question marks hanging over the club, 21st and 18th-place finishes had Cardiff City fans fearing they’d become familiar with the Championship’s bottom eight. Erol Bulut changed that last season, however.
Building an aggressive team that showed fight in big games, Bulut delivered a top-half finish, and has established a template that, with the right additions, could take the Bluebirds into the top six.
Perry Ng is one of the most complete right-backs in the Championship, battler Dimitrios Goutas and cultured Mark McGuiness complement one another superbly in central defence, while Manolis Siopis’ tenacious ball-winning made him an instant hit in midfield.
With Ethan Horvath and Jamilu Collins proving dependable in goal and at left-back respectively (despite shipping in the 70 + goals last season), City have a solid sextet with which to go into 2024-25 – and that’s without the signing of Calum Chambers.
The main reason they conceded so many was the strain placed on their defensive unit, because City had neither the ball-carrying instincts in midfield nor searing pace in attack to keep opponents honest, whilst also giving the ball away cheaply at times.
As such, it’s crucial that, whilst broadly wanting continuity after a positive season, Bulut makes some brave alterations where required, like the number 10 spot.
Aaron Ramsey brings obvious quality but is coming to the end, whereas Rubin Colwill, at 22, may be ready for a breakout season – and has a dynamic skillset that might translate better to a transitions-based game.
Elsewhere, calls need to be made on prospects Eli King and Cian Ashford, who could benefit from a League One loan yet could also make a valuable contribution to the squad, in midfield and attack respectively.
Add dynamism, ball-carrying and creativity in midfield, then pace and quality in attack, and Cardiff could become a Play-Off prospect.
That, though, feels a big ask at this stage of the window, with doubts still lingering over the club’s recruitment processes. Chris Willock hopes to defy them after joining from QPR.
Willock showed immense talent at the start of his time at Loftus Road but has, in more recent years, faced question marks over his application.
16th – Portsmouth
After an eventful 12 years away, Portsmouth are back in the top two divisions of English football, where they feel they belong.
It’s been some journey for them, then: likewise, rookie head coach John Mousinho, who was still on the books as a player at Oxford just 18 months ago, before inspiring Pompey to the League One title in his first full season as boss.
While some perceived Mousinho’s inexperience as a possible weakness, he’s overcome any disadvantages through a desire to learn, a willingness to embrace new ideas and outstanding modern leadership qualities, including the positivity to reframe challenges as opportunities.
The 38-year-old now faces the biggest ‘opportunity’ yet of his fledgling managerial career, at a demanding level that will test his tactical acumen to the max – but what his side do possess, in spades, is bouncebackability.
Last season’s impeccable consistency was, naturally, interrupted by the very occasional horror-show, with 4-0 and 3-0 home defeats to Blackpool and Leyton Orient in November and January respectively. Yet the team responded defiantly both times with an ugly away win to nil to get back on track straight away.
The PO4 outfit will have more of those low points in the second-tier, so the ability to nip them in the bud quickly and dodge the slumps will be key to assembling a steady flow of points that keeps them away from trouble.
Helping them do just that will be a dependable core, comprising of strong shot stopper Will Norris, intelligent right-back Zak Swanson, progressive centre-back Conor Shaughnessy, midfield controller Marlon Pack, and focal point Colby Bishop.
There’s every chance, too, that all-action midfielder Owen Moxon, left-footed technician Paddy Lane and forward livewire Kusini Yengi could find the step up easier than expected.
Additionally, left-back Jacob Farrell looks an exciting addition from Central Coast Mariners, with the 1v1 specialist likely to tuck into an in-possession back-three to allow Jordan Williams to forge a front-five from the right, or Swanson to invert into midfield, depending on which of the two plays on the other side.
Portsmouth’s arduous opportunity would be made easier by the returns of 2023-24’s loan stars, Alex Robertson and Abu Kamara. They do have outstanding cultural foundations under an exciting, young manager with the leadership skills to guide them through, however.
Stay up, Pompey…
17th – Preston North End
PNE’s 10th-place finish in 2023-24 looks highly impressive to the outside eye, for a club operating on a bottom six budget. Within the fanbase, however, it felt a little different.
The Lilywhites found themselves on the right side of fine margins in the first two months, with six narrow wins in their first seven. Performances didn’t quite merit the 19 points they wrapped up early on.
After September’s 2-1 victory over Birmingham, however, Ryan Lowe’s side took 44 points from their remaining 39 games. This, in a season in which they were blatantly nowhere near good enough for the Play-Offs, yet were never at risk of going down because of the return they’d banked early on.
And, while a top-10 finish has a great ring to it, they were closer in points to 18th (seven) than the top six (ten) due to a congested midtable.
Of course, it’s not Lowe’s fault that circumstances gave his side’s season a slightly flattering complexion, and he deserves credit for consistently delivering highly respectable results since taking charge in December 2021.
By the same token, there’s not an awful lot of evidence to suggest that last season’s output is sustainable, having outperformed their xG For of 43.77 (the second-lowest in the Championship) by scoring 56 goals.
As such, PNE need to refine their chance creation process, so the club being linked with a cultured wide centre-back like Alfie Gilchrist, on loan from Chelsea, and an attacking wing-back like Ilay Camara of RWD Molenbeek in Belgium, offers some encouragement.
With those sorts of additions, there may be the space for #10 Mads Frøkjær-Jensen and striker Milutin Osmajić to bring more of the respective class and firepower they showed flashes of last season.
In terms of confirmed acquisitions, Sam Greenwood joins on loan from Leeds, while Stefán Teitur Þórðarson signs permanently from Silkborg IF – both look decent signings.
Greenwood can bring a selfless energy from various attacking roles, while 2023-24 Danish Cup winner Þórðarson is a physical box-to-box man with a thunderous strike.
The incoming duo add to a reliable core of goalkeeper Freddie Woodman (if he can recapture his 2022-23 form), dominant middle centre-back Liam Lindsay, steady left centre-back Andrew Hughes, and all-action midfielder Ali McCann, when the latter returns from injury.
PNE are starting from a lower base point than last season’s table might imply, though, so a drop-off is probable. It’s just a question of whether the right additions can keep them in midtable.
18th – Hull
In sacking head coach Liam Rosenior, Hull owner Acun Ilıcalı and CEO Tan Kesler made one of the most controversial moves of the Championship summer.
The Tigers had made steady progress under the 39-year-old, who stabilized one of the Championship’s worst defences in 2022-23 to deliver top-10 form with just six defeats in 28. The Tigers came agonisingly close to the play-offs.
While Rosenior was backed at the time, and has had some excellent players at his disposal, he’s only worked with a proper centre-forward for about a third of his reign – when Liam Delap was on loan from Man City – and still delivered competitive results, getting far more right than wrong.
And, after the club committed to the former left-back with a three-year contract in December, the sensible move would have been to trust him to continue the steady progress.
Instead, Ilıcalı and Kesler perceived missing out on the Play-Offs last season as a failure. A more aggressive, high-tempo style was sought in contrast with Rosenior’s patient approach.
That pursuit lead to club to replacement Tim Walter, who arrives with mixed reviews from his time in German football, most recently Hamburger SV.
At his best, Walter is described as a loyal, warm-hearted manager who coaches aggressive, front-foot football with positive patterns of play.
At his worst, he’s perceived to be guilty of favouritism and a reluctance to admit to no-shows, whilst being limited when it comes to coaching a team’s defensive structure, necessitating strong individual defenders.
That cause isn’t helped by the loss of Jacob Greaves. Alfie Jones and Sean McLoughlin are both competent, however. Additionally, a shortage of full-backs beyond driven skipper Lewie Coyle, with Ryan Giles set for Middlesbrough.
Also leaving the MKM Stadium is Jaden Philogene, who will take some replacing having brought the flair last season when fit.
Graceful ball-carrier Abdülkadir Ömür, of the Turkey national team, aims to step into the Aston Villa man’s shoes, but it’s a tough act to follow.
Key departures could affect the motivations of City’s languid playmaker, Jean Michaël Seri, who may himself have an eye on a move, meaning Walter may need someone new to complement the industry of Regan Slater.
Even as things are, Hull only have about seven reliable first team players, with so many others either injured, unfancied, vastly inexperienced, set to depart, or having been loaned out last season.
There are too many moving pieces for the East Riding of Yorkshire outfit to build anything of substance, with preparation looking highly questionable, as the biggest questions yet are asked of the current regime.
Ilıcalı will have the money to add quality, with around £30M received in sales and counting, but he made a decision he may live to regret…
19th – Millwall
Millwall turned to club legend Neil Harris in their hour of need last season and he delivered.
The Lions had a solid if unspectacular start under Gary Rowett, before amicably changing direction in October. After caretaker Adam Barrett went winless in four, however, his replacement Joe Edwards oversaw just four wins in 18, leaving them languishing perilously just above the bottom three.
Edwards has earnt an elite coaching reputation. Nevertheless, his ideas looked incompatible with the core principles of the South Bermondsey club: direct, high-intensity football with a willingness to fight.
By contrast, ‘Chopper’ Harris likely wouldn’t have got a Championship job anywhere else at that stage of his career yet, crucially, knows just how to make The Den an intimidating fortress.
For that reason, chairman James Berylson got his Chopper out, as the 47-year-old returned to deliver a whopping eight wins in the final 13 league games, steering the Londoners to an ultimately comfortable 13th-place finish.
So, can he be more than a firefighter at this level? Harris would argue yes, having delivered an eighth-place finish in 2017-18, when the Lions were a newly-promoted club. This, however, with a target man in Steve Morison who was perfect for the plan.
Much like Pep Guardiola once said on Sergio Aguero’s Man City exit, though, Millwall cannot replace ‘Moro’ – they still haven’t in half a decade.
There aren’t many similar modern-day strikers about. While Harris may be capable of delivering sustainable results without a centre-forward of that ilk, it’s not something he’s consistently proven just yet.
Identify the right one, therefore, and Millwall could pick up from where they left off. Fail to do so and persistent poacher Macaulay Langstaff will have to finish from a lower volume of chances than he enjoyed in League Two last season, in a more expansive, possession-based Notts County side.
At the other end, at least, fan favourite Japhet Tanganga returns to provide athleticism in defence alongside the assured, towering presence of Jake Cooper, while the cultured Casper de Norre complements his tenacious midfield partner Billy Mitchell, ingrained in The Millwall Way.
So, with 6’7” goalkeeper Lukas Jensen arriving after a good season in League One with Lincoln, and reliable stalwart Dan McNamara remaining at right-back, the makings of a decent XI are in place.
Harris has delivered comfortable survival, as well as cultural and stylistic restoration, but his sides have tended to thrive in the high-stake points of a season, more than pre-Christmas.
Improving on last season’s flattering 13th-placed finish could be tough but, when it really comes to the crunch, Millwall have a man who knows what to do.
In loving memory of goalkeeper Matija Sarkic, who tragically died this summer, aged 26.
20th – Watford
Watford fans, we imagine, must be sick of hearing about managerial turbulence at their club, almost as much as the managerial turbulence itself.
It’s a theme at Vicarage Road that predictably continued into 2024, as rookie Tom Cleverley becomes the 14th different boss to start a season in the last… well, 14 seasons.
The Hornets had hinted at some semblance of stability under Valérien Ismaël, with improved performances combined with a respectable 35 points from their first 25. Levels dipped after Christmas, however, with two wins in 14, prior to the inevitable.
Cleverley showed some promise after picking up the piece. He oversaw just two defeats in nine. Nevertheless, much of the subsequent discourse has been less excitement over his managerial potential, of which there’s clearly some, and more concern over the state of the squad.
Ismaël Koné has left for Marseille, while fellow star men Wesley Hoedt and Yáser Asprilla are also expected to depart, leaving the former midfielder with a sizeable rebuilding job.
Cleverley may be hoping Giorgi Chakvetadze can carry his side through this awkward-looking campaign, after an excellent Euros with Georgia, having demonstrated pin-point deliveries in the 14 games he started last season.
Furthermore, aggressive, left-footed defender Antonio Tikvić looks a promising addition on loan from Udinese, with the Croatia Under-21 international having played in pre-season last summer for Bayern Munich. Replacing Hoedt would be a tough ask, however.
This squad doesn’t have much momentum behind it, with defender Ryan Porteous and midfielder Imran Louza valuing themselves far more on their 2022-23 form than last season’s contributions.
Additionally, the respective stocks of goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann, defender Francisco Sierralta and wide man Ken Sema, among others, are nowhere near as high as they were in 2020-21, and 34-year-old midfielder Moussa Sissoko arrives with his best days behind him, too.
Optimistically, Watford are getting the talent without the attitude, if Sissoko has matured during his time in France – pessimistically, the attitude without the legs.
So, who’s setting the examples? It might be a 19-year-old in Ryan Andrews who’s tenacious. His driven performances have earnt him international recognition with England Under-20s. If the homegrown prospect can refine his attacking play, he could be on for a big season.
Further progress is equally hoped for from Tom Dele-Bashiru, who has impressed since being moved into midfield, where Edo Kayembe redeemed himself slightly last season with improved form.
Question marks linger up top, however, where Vakoun Bayo has scored 10 goals in 63 league appearances and is still arguably their best option, even with 19-year-old versatile forward Rocco Vata arriving with positive reviews from Celtic and Ireland Under-21s.
The mood is broadly one of apprehension, with returning sporting director Gianluca Nani holding the same job title at Pozzo-owned Udinese, leading to the inevitable conflict of interest caused by logistical impossibility, with flu powder yet to reach the muggle world.
After a lowest finish since 2009-10, Watford could find themselves in the wrong alley once again.
21st – Derby
Outsiders could be forgiven for thinking Derby expect more than survival in 2024-25, following promotion from League One last season.
The Rams are familiar with the Championship, having spent all bar two of their previous 15 seasons at this level – often trying to get out of the league rather than stay in it.
Those promotion pushes, though, came under an owner who spent recklessly. Successor David Clowes has thus had to pick up the pieces since buying the club in 2022 – and pay a combined £55M just to take it out of administration!
So, while the East Midlanders are Championship ready externally, being one of the biggest clubs in the league, they’ve not had long to become Championship ready internally which, smart facilities aside, was almost from scratch.
Over the previous two seasons, they’ve felt the need to sign players, above 26, who had got into Championship squads before but, for different reasons, struggled to either start regularly and/or perform at that level, at least in more recent years.
This strategy has unquestionably helped Derby be competitive in League One, and take two years to win promotion from a standing start, rather than three or four.
Conversely, that same strategy also makes Championship survival harder than it would have been had they taken the longer-term approach of building a squad that can grow with the step up.
Nine from the aforementioned category remain, of which most have probably served their primary purpose. Likewise, one or two legendary veteran stalwarts.
As such, Derby will rely heavily on right-back Kane Wilson, centre-backs Eiran Cashin and Curtis Nelson, athletic midfielder Ebou Adams, who returns from Cardiff, and speedy wide men Corey Blackett-Taylor and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing. The latter was instrumental to the successful counter-attacking play in League One last season.
Moreover, midfielder Ben Osborn and forward Kayden Jackson are versatile operators and could prove useful signings, while striker Jerry Yates (on loan from Swansea) has scored 14 goals at this level before with Blackpool.
Neither Yates nor James Collins are genuine target men, though, while Warne isn’t the most refined in-possession coach at this level, so his ability to bring in the right man to spearhead the attack will dictate a lot.
Conversely, 22-year-old playmaker Kenzo Goudmijn, formerly of Netherlands U19s, will need to make an impression to ensure the Rams can also look after the ball for spells and create chances by alternative means.
A dogfight feels highly likely, though – this could be a close shave…
22nd – Oxford
Having spent a combined 21 years in the top two divisions of English football, out of 64 under the name Oxford United, the 1986 League Cup winners are by no means Championship minnows.
Despite a proud history, however, this return to the second tier, after a quarter of a century away, is a big step up for all concerned, including head coach Des Buckingham.
The 39-year-old has an outstanding profile, but results after his November appointment would suggest he took four months to adjust to League One – even if lower midtable form may have been largely down to extreme injury crises. It is thus reasonable to ask whether he’s ready for the demands of the Championship.
Buckingham might argue that he is, having enjoyed a fantastic 21-year coaching career so far, making a seismic impact in Australia, India and across the globe. Nevertheless, these were contrasting levels of football: England’s second-tier is unquestionably his biggest test to date.
He’ll have to pass that test without Josh Murphy, who went to Portsmouth after playing a crucial role at the business end of the season, and earning man-of-the-match in the Play-Off Final victory over Bolton.
Of those who remain, aerially dominant centre-back Elliott Moore, intelligent left-sided defender Ciaron Brown, midfield general Cameron Brannagan and persistent forward Mark Harris will have to produce impeccable consistency for the U’s to beat the drop.
Business has been savvy, though, with seasoned goalkeeper Matt Ingram, athletic right-back Peter Kioso, midfield battler Will Vaulks, left-footed dynamo Louie Sibley and speedy left-sider Przemysław Płacheta all offering much-needed Championship knowhow.
Conversely, well-rounded left-back Jack Currie and physical ball-carrier Idris El Mizouni were rewarded for the potential they’ve demonstrated at lower levels with a call from Ed Waldron.
With Waldron entrusted by the club with the new Head of Football Operations title, it’s clear the board have great belief in their rigorous recruitment process, which has given the Yellows a squad sufficiently competitive for them to avoid being cut adrift.
During the inevitable rough patches, however, it’s helpful for a squad to be able to look back for inspiration at the body of evidence of what was achieved under the manager throughout the whole of the previous campaign – or at least half of it – to pull them through.
In Oxford’s case, they’ll have to base their faith on a mere 11 games: not exactly ideal for evidential reassurance when those nagging doubts creep in.
23rd – Plymouth Argyle
Argyle’s summer managerial vacancy was crying out for a safe pair of hands, after last season’s final day survival.
The Devonians had achieved exponential progress under Ryan Lowe, then his former assistant, Steven Schumacher, but the Liverpudlian left for Stoke in December, with the team sitting comfortably in 16th, and the club made a wrong turn.
The Ian Foster appointment backfired, with the first-time Head Coach overseeing just three wins in 18 league games as the team sunk to 21st. They needed a rescue act from caretakers Neil Dewsnip and Kevin Nancekivell, who saved the day with three wins in the final six.
Rather than go for an established Championship manager like Alex Neil or Paul Heckingbottom to steady the Pilgrims’ ship, though, DoF Dewsnip opted for Wayne Rooney.
In the face of inevitable criticisms of a PR-led appointment, owner Simon Hallett made a valid argument to the contrary in the media, and Rooney did enough positive work at crisis-ridden Derby to suggest he has some managerial potential.
At Birmingham, meanwhile, the 38-year-old didn’t have a full pre-season to implement his ideas, nor did he get January to bring in his own players.
As such, it may well be that Rooney has learnt lessons from his previous stint, and is about to defy his doubters – but the question is, was the risk worth it?
Moreover, does this stage of Argyle’s trajectory suit an appointment that is based on limited evidence, and arguably carries greater risk than others for things to go wrong?
Whereas the fanbase might be likelier to stay calm after a bad start under a more seasoned manager, that’s going to be a big ask in this instance.
Furthermore, there remains midfield holes caused by Luke Cundle and Finn Azaz’s respective January exits. It’s also uncertain whether they have or can be filled, despite the arrival of Darko Gyabi.
Additionally, there lies question marks over the futures of star men Michael Cooper in goal and Morgan Whittaker in attack.
Perhaps it would have been preferable for the Devonians to have banked £30M for the pair at the start of the summer, and plan from a place of clarity, as opposed to having the doubts hang over Home Park.
On the plus side, Ibrahim Sissoko looks an exciting addition, with the thrilling runner joining on loan from Toulouse, while Lewis Gibson will remain crucial in central defence, and stalwart Ryan Hardie can be relied upon to lead the line impeccably whilst bagging double-figures.
With the quality of coaching in the Championship at an all-time high, though, Rooney was the gamble Argyle probably couldn’t afford to take.
24th – Blackburn
Blackburn’s entire transfer window could be determined by events that happen 10 days before it closes.
If the Venkys lose their court case, the budget will be slashed, top goalscorer Sammie Szmodics will have to be sold if he hadn’t been already, while head coach John Eustace must rely on the youth academy for any sort of depth.
Even if the court case is won by the owners, Rovers will be bringing in players three games into the league season, and the rush would be hardly ideal for both getting the right value and preparation.
Optimistically, Eustace enhanced his reputation at Birmingham by demonstrating fantastic people skills in similarly tough initial circumstances, delivering a 17th-place finish in 2022-23 before leading them up to 6th the following season, prior to an infamous October sacking… that went well!
Eustace could do so again and, in strong shot-stopper Aynsley Pears, energetic right-back Callum Brittain, technical left-back Harry Pickering, shrewd centre-back Dom Hyam, cultured sitting midfielder Sondre Tronstad and ball-winner Lewis Travis, he possesses a solid core.
Plus, there’s a selection of capable wide men in Arnór Sigurðsson, Ryan Hedges and Tyrhys Dolan, plus Dilan Markanday to a lesser extent, if either can find both fitness and consistency.
Connor O’Riordan could be on for a big season, too after the 6’5” defender signed from Crewe in January, while the club boasts an outstanding youth academy, meaning the shortage of incomings may hand opportunities to some top talent.
Leo Duru, for instance, is a skilful, attacking right-back, while Igor Tyjon is a 16-year-old striker who scored one and assisted two against PSV for the Under-21s in the International Cup at just 15!
The fact a 16-year-old makes our preview, though, almost proves the point. Rovers will either place undue strain on players who just aren’t ready for Championship football, or they’ll be hurrying to bring in half their squad at the 11th hour.
In either case, fans will protest against the Venkys and CEO Steve Waggott over a lack of reliable transparency and reports of internal staff lay-offs.
There’s already a palpable sense that locals feel more strongly about off-field matters than on-field ones, and that won’t change if Rovers suffer the slow start that inadequate preparation renders a likelihood.
