The Championship gets underway on Friday night, kick-starting the annual scramble to clinch promotion and the riches that accompany being in the Premier League.
This year will be headlined by the three relegated sides who will be hoping to make an immediate return to the top flight while there are two clubs that will be of interest to American audiences hoping to make an impression.
Add in Snoop Dogg, the Spud Bros and an almighty mess at one of the division’s biggest clubs and it has all the makings of a typically crazy Championship campaign!
Promotion Favourites
For all the talk of Wrexham and Birmingham challenging, the top three will likely comprise Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester. All three came down last season and even though the Foxes could yet face a points deduction for breaching PSR regulations, the strength of their squad ought to see them mount a title tilt.
Ipswich and Southampton make the most compelling cases, though.
The former, under Kieran McKenna, have stability and a squad stacked with players who have shone at this level previously. The likes of Omari Hutchinson, Jaden Philogene, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Clarke possess enough quality to give any Championship defence nightmares.
Add in the experience of Ashley Young and it is hard to look past the Tractor Boys.
Southampton ought to be their closet challengers. Although they have lost some players following relegation they appear strong, and will move up a level further if striker Ross Stewart can stay fit. The question mark comes in the dug-out with Will Still now in charge.
Play-off Contenders
Sheffield United will again be strong but have to overcome the heartbreak of their play-off final defeat to Sunderland in May. Kieffer Moore, Vinicius Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic have all moved on but Ruben Selles appears a smart appointment to replace Chris Wilder.Â
Coventry thrived under Frank Lampard last season and ought to be good enough to secure a top-six finish while Norwich will be boosted by having Liam Manning as coach following his impressive work at Bristol City.
West Brom could go well under Ryan Mason, as could Middlesbrough if Rob Edwards’ style of play is embraced on Teesside.
So, what of Birmingham and Wrexham? Rarely have two clubs been promoted to the second tier with such fanfare. Both have made smart moves, particularly Blues who have snapped up the likes of Demarai Gray, Tommy Doyle and former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.
Wrexham have taken a different route and gone for players that have performed at this level before in Moore, Lewis O’Brien and Josh Windass.
The suspicion remains the basic style of play adopted by Phil Parkinson may hold them back and don’t be surprised if there is a change made by Hollywood owners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds before Christmas.
Birmingham look the better bet but we’re still not convinced they are good enough for a playoff spot.
So what of Snoop and the Spud Bros?
In case you’d missed it, US rapper Snoop Dogg has become a co-owner of Swansea alongside AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric. The 53-year-old, who has sold over 35 million albums worldwide, also helped launch the club’s new shirt.
If you haven’t heard of them, the Spud Bros have made a very successful fist of combining jacket potatoes and social media. The TikTok stars will be the shirt sponsors for hometown team Preston North End.
Fighting the Drop
Sheffield Wednesday are the obvious choice. As it stands, they have an owner who wants out, a squad short on numbers, quality and morale having seen their wages delayed in May, June and July. Highly rated boss Danny Rohl has left, leaving Henrik Pedersen to pick up the mess.
Oxford would have gone down last season had it not been for the arrival of Gary Rowett in December. A quiet transfer window does not bode well and it’s tough to see how they will compete this year.
For Oxford, also see Hull. Sergej Jakirovic will hope to guide them to safety but it could be a long season for the Tigers.
Watford are always difficult to predict due to the revolving door policy at Vicarage Road. Expect them to do just about enough alongside Charlton and Derby.
Three Players to Watch
Divin Mubama (Stoke)
On-loan from Manchester City, Mubama made two senior appearances under Pep Guardiola last season, scoring once in the 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford.
Previously at West Ham, Mubama has hit the net on 74 occasions in 105 appearances in under-18 and under-21 football combined. He has the physique to play regularly in the Championship and the perfect mentor in former Manchester United striker Mark Robins.
Patrick Agyemang (Derby)
United States international Agyemang is a new face at Pride Park having joined from Charlotte FC for a fee rising to £7.3million. Scored 17 goals in 59 regular-season games in MLS and will look to make his mark in English football.
Louie Barry (Sheffield United)
Barry was tipped for the top when he joined Barcelona from West Brom aged 16 in 2019. It didn’t quite work out for him in Catalonia and he returned to Aston Villa before being sent out on numerous loan moves.
He thrived at Stockport last season but didn’t find the going quite as easy at Hull. A permanent move to Humberside collapsed, leaving Sheffield United clear to take him to Bramall Lane. It looks a good move for both parties.
Predicted Championship Table
- Ipswich
- Southampton
- Leicester
- Sheffield United
- Coventry
- Norwich
- West Brom
- Birmingham
- Middlesbrough
- Wrexham
- Swansea
- Bristol City
- Stoke
- Millwall
- Preston
- Portsmouth
- QPR
- Blackburn
- Derby
- Charlton
- Watford
- Hull
- Oxford
- Sheffield Wednesday
