Written by Matt Brown
📸 @skybetchampionship
Friday night sees the Sky Bet Championship return to our screens, kicked off by Wolves taking on Blackburn Rovers.
Wolves had a poor campaign last year as they were relegated from the Premier League alongside Burnley and West Ham, with all three sides aiming for an immediate return to the top flight.
This season is particularly tough to predict, especially given the new play-off format where teams as low as 8th place can make the post-season—a stark contrast to previous years where it was strictly 3rd to 6th.
The Title Favourites
West Ham: As low as 7/4 with Sky Bet to win the title, they enter the campaign as clear favourites. Not only have they retained a large core of Premier League-calibre players—most notably Jarrod Bowen—they’ve also made smart additions, including defender Joël Veltman on a free transfer. The Hammers start their season away at Burnley before returning home to host London rivals Charlton at the London Stadium.
Wolves: Manager Rob Edwards departed the club in a shock move, but on the pitch, Wolves have strengthened significantly. The arrival of Kieran Trippier and the homecoming of sensational striker Raúl Jiménez could give them the edge, with Jiménez a strong contender for top scorer. Wolves have been handed a favorable opening fixture as they host a Blackburn Rovers side currently in turmoil.
Middlesbrough: Kim Hellberg’s side fell just short last season, losing out to Hull at Wembley in the play-off final. They’ve spent wisely this summer, bringing in striker Will Lankshear from Tottenham and signing goalkeeper Radek Vitek permanently from Manchester United after his superb loan spell at Bristol City, where he kept 12 league clean sheets. Boro are tipped by many for the title, and few would be shocked if they pull it off given their quality on the ball. They welcome newly promoted Lincoln City to the Riverside on Saturday afternoon in a fascinating opener.
Play-Off Contenders
Burnley: Of the three relegated sides, Burnley look the least likely on paper to bounce straight back up. The Clarets endured a rough pre-season, though they did manage a cup victory against Notts County via a penalty shootout. Manager Nicky Hayen will be desperate to launch a promotion push, yet the lack of transfer activity is surprising for a squad that was clearly lacking quality in key areas.
Southampton: Where do you even begin with Saints? Following last season’s 'Spygate' drama, the South Coast side enter the campaign as public enemy number one. While they lost star talent Shea Charles to Fulham for around £30m, they still possess plenty of exciting options. They start away at Watford, where even a win won't move them off the bottom of the table due to their four-point deduction.
Birmingham: The 'Brady Bunch' haven’t lost a match since April—their last defeat coming against Ipswich before their automatic promotion. It remains to be seen whether Chris Davies is the long-term answer in the dugout, but he has done a brilliant job so far. With talents like Jay Stansfield retained and the added experience of defender Dael Fry joining on a free from Middlesbrough, Blues look formidable. Backed by wealthy ownership, expect them to push hard for a Premier League return if their new signings click.
Norwich: The Canaries are genuine dark horses after ending last season on a red-hot run, losing just 5 games between mid-January and the end of the campaign while picking up 13 wins. They haven’t spent lavishly, but they’ve recruited smartly while retaining the core of their squad. Manager Philippe Clement has them playing a resilient, dominant style—evidenced by their 4–1 cup win over MK Dons where they logged 65% possession, 25 shots, and nearly 400 completed passes.
Relegation Battles
Lincoln: Despite winning League One at a canter last season, Lincoln are favourites for an immediate return to the third tier. The Imps are under new management following Michael Skubala’s move to fellow Championship side Bristol City. A quiet transfer window could prove costly if their depth isn't up to second-tier standards. Home form will be paramount, with Sincil Bank’s tight, intimidating atmosphere acting as their biggest asset. They face a stern test away to Middlesbrough on opening day.
Bolton: The Trotters were the ultimate surprise package last season, brushing aside Bradford in the play-off semi-finals before a emphatic 4–1 Wembley victory over Stockport. Under Steven Schumacher, they’ve added proven Championship experience like defender Akin Famewo. However, on paper, they still look light compared to established sides around them, making them vulnerable in the relegation battle.
Cardiff City: The Bluebirds couldn't quite catch runaway champions Lincoln in League One last term. Brian Barry-Murphy boasts a well-coached squad featuring talent like Rubin and Joel Colwill, along with Irish midfielder Jack Moylan from Lincoln. However, like Bolton, squad depth remains a concern when measured against upper-tier Championship opposition. They kick off their campaign on Monday night with a blockbuster Welsh derby against Wrexham in the capital.
Charlton: Nathan Jones did a commendable job keeping the Addicks up in their first year back in the second tier since 2019/20. Jones has insisted the club is building a long-term process rather than settling for mere survival. Incomings like Karlan Grant (returning on a free from West Brom) and experienced midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah add quality, but questions remain over creative depth and reliable goalscorers. A strong home record will be vital, starting with a 20,000+ crowd against Derby County.
Blackburn: Former Premier League champions Blackburn Rovers find themselves in dire straits. Off-field turmoil, long-standing ownership issues, and manager Tony Mowbray’s public calls for transfer support point to systemic problems. Having finished just five points clear of the drop zone last season, Rovers face a daunting campaign ahead—starting with a tricky trip to Molineux.
Season Predictions
Champions: West Ham
Automatic Promotion: Middlesbrough
Play-Off Winners: Southampton
Relegated: Lincoln, Bolton, Blackburn
Top Scorer: Raúl Jiménez
Manager of the Year: Kim Hellberg
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