Next season will feature one of the most packed Championship lineups in recent memory, making it extremely difficult to forecast how clubs will perform.
With Wolves, West Ham, and Burnley relegated from the Premier League, the second division boasts not only large clubs but also some exceptionally skilled players.
On the other hand, Lincoln City, Cardiff City, and Bolton Wanderers, who have ascended from League One, should not be overlooked, as should a group of Championship mainstays.
But how will the league table look at the end of play on May 8? I expect the ultimate positions from bottom to top.
24Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers has been an up-and-down Championship team for years, but the club appears to be in danger of sinking to a new low by finishing at the bottom of the table.
Tony Mowbray may have returned to Ewood Park, but Rovers were the second-lowest scoring team in the second tier last season, and their transfer strategy has been ineffective.
23Lincoln City
Lincoln City will compete in the Championship for the first time in their history, and they will be led by two new head coaches, Chris Cohen and Tom Shaw, who have taken over for the departed Michael Skubala.
Without Skubala in the bench, the Imps may struggle, and while they waltzed to the League One title, I expect them to be relegated to the third division almost immediately.
22West Brom
Last season, West Brom just avoided relegation, and despite a points deduction brought them closer to the bottom, I fear they will join Blackburn in the drop zone.
James Morrison was a good caretaker manager last season, turning around their results, but I don’t see how their latest signings will relieve their goal-scoring issues.
21Bolton Wanderers
Bolton Wanderers will be without Amario Cozier-Duberry next season, and they still need to concentrate on building a side capable of surviving in the Championship.
However, Steven Schumacher has done an excellent job with the Trotters, and Luca Stephenson and Ben Davies are clever recruits, so I believe they will just about avoid relegation.
20Cardiff City
There have been few incomings at Cardiff City this summer, but I feel they have several players who can handle the step-up, including Dylan Lawlor, Rubin Colwill, and Yousef Salech.
Brian Barry-Murphy is a manager I admire, and I believe the Bluebirds are the best prepared of the promoted teams to stay up.
19Charlton Athletic
I do not expect Charlton Athletic to make much progress next season, but I believe they will do enough to maintain their Championship position for another year.
Looking at their team, goals are going to be a concern again, but if new signing Karlan Grant can remain fit, he should make an important impact.
18Portsmouth
Portsmouth are another team I do not anticipate to make much progress, but with John Mousinho in charge, they are a shoo-in to stay in the league.
It’s always tough to anticipate which of their new signings will have an impact in the Championship, but Rocco Shein and Mark Milovanovic have promising track records and appear to be strong acquisitions.
17Watford
Watford is one of the more difficult teams to forecast, with Alessio Dionisi as their new head coach and another infusion of Udinese players.
They could finish anywhere between the play-offs and the bottom three, and I predict Dionisi will lose his job before the end of the season.
16Preston North End
Preston North End supporters will understandably desire progress next season, but I believe there are plenty of other teams in a better position to climb up the league.
Alfie Divine is a fantastic purchase for North End, and if the club can add some more talent to Paul Heckingbottom’s side before the window closes, there is no reason why they can’t finish in the top 12.
15QPR
QPR finished last season in a frightening manner, and while I believe they are capable of improving, there are plenty of teams with superior squads.
Pierce Charles and Tariq Lamptey appear to be superb additions from the outside, and if Jimmy Dunne can stay healthy, their defensive frailty will be reduced.
14Derby County
John Eustace has a knack of proving people wrong, and while this forecast may come back to haunt me, Derby County outperformed last season, and I anticipate a drop-off next season.
That being said, the permanent signing of Bobby Clark is a fantastic piece of business, and if they can bring in some attacking players, they could surprise everyone once more.
13Stoke City
Stoke City had a really disappointing season under Mark Robins, but they have persisted with him, and I believe they will improve next season.
I’m particularly delighted with some of their transfer business, with Ethan Galbraith standing out, and if they can add a goalscorer, they’ll have a chance of making the playoffs.
12Swansea City
Swansea City appear to be an improving club, but I believe they will end in the middle of the standings after losing Galbraith to Stoke.
However, I am a huge fan of new recruit Elijah Just, who impressed with New Zealand at the World Cup, and the Swans’ attacking prowess can blow teams away.
11Wrexham
Wrexham had a successful season last year, finishing seventh in the football league table.
However, the Red Dragons must bring in more quality players if they are to progress, and as things are, I believe a mid-table finish is in the cards.
10Birmingham City
Birmingham City and Wrexham have been in similar places in the last two seasons, and I expect the same this time around, but with the Blues on top.
I’m not sure Chris Davies will endure the season, but I expect more goals from their forward, and the signing of Dael Fry is a wise move.
9Bristol City
Bristol City currently has a fantastic head coach in Skubala, and they are creating a solid group to compete for the play-offs, with Lorent Tolaj, Sam Greenwood, and Jed Wallace joining this summer.
The Robins have a great chance of making the top eight, but I believe they will finish just outside the play-offs.
8Sheffield United
Many expect Sheffield United to fight for the top spot once more, as Chris Wilder has a full pre-season to prepare his players for the Championship.
They haven’t done much in the transfer market yet, but there’s no denying the quality in their ranks, and if Gus Hamer and Sydie Peck stay at Bramall Lane, they can make the play-offs.
7Millwall
Millwall performed admirably to finish third last season, but they will feel it was a squandered opportunity after losing to Hull City in the play-off semifinals.
I expect Alex Neil’s team to be in the play-offs once more, although they will fall down the table given the quality of the division.
6Burnley
Burnley appears to be the weakest of the three clubs relegated from the Premier League, and they have already lost numerous key players this summer.
If they can keep Zian Flemming, I anticipate them to make the playoffs, but I don’t see the Clarets dominating the Championship again.
5Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough may have lost Hayden Hackney, but their transfer business has been promising, and they should finish in the top six again.
Will Lankshear and Kyle Joseph will provide fresh attacking thrust to Kim Hellberg’s side, which already has excellent quality in Morgan Whittaker, Tommy Conway, and Aidan Morris.
4Norwich City
There is usually one side that rises to the top of the table, and I believe Norwich City will do so next season.
Philippe Clement did an excellent job turning the Canaries around last season, and with a complete pre-season under his belt, I anticipate the East Anglia club to compete for promotion.
3Southampton
If they can maintain their form from the end of last season, Southampton has every chance of finishing in the automatic promotion places, but I believe they will just miss out.
The Saints have a talented team, but Tonda Eckert’s likely FA ban may jeopardise their progress.
2West Ham
Many anticipate West Ham to saunter into the second tier, but Hammers fans will tell you how much work needs to be done this summer to make that happen.
I feel the Irons will start slowly, since they are likely to be busy late in the transfer market rebuilding their squad, but with Jarrod Bowen in their ranks, automatic promotion is a near certainty.
1Wolves
Overall, the Wolves have the best team in the division, and despite having a new head coach in Cesar Peixoto, the players have had ample time to adjust to his style.
Not only have the Old Gold locked down Brazil international Andre, but they’ve also signed Kieran Trippier and Raul Jimenez, which is just insane at this level.
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