The EFL kicks off this weekend and in the Championship there will be a number of teams backing themselves for promotion.
Lets see which teams I think will be in the mix.
Automatic hopefuls
MIDDLESBROUGH
Boro may have been inconsistent at the back end of last season but in Chris Wilder they have a manager who knows how to get out of this league. Wilder himself has had a summer to bring in his own players and build his own team which is more than capable of achieving promotion. With a strong squad of players and a good manager at the helm, Boro should definitely secure promotion.
PREDICTION: Promoted
NORWICH
Norwich arguably have the best chance of bouncing straight back up out of all the relegated sides. They have a manager who knows the division well in Dean Smith from his spells at Brentford and Aston Villa plus the majority of their squad were part of the sides that were promoted in 2019 and 2021.
But going up this time round won't be as straight forward because of how tough the Championship is and the Canaries themselves needing some sort of refresh by sorting out their recruitment and coming up with an identity. If they can do that they should have more than enough for promotion.
PREDICTION: Promoted
Play Off Contenders
WEST BROM
The Baggies may have had a shocking season last year but in Steve Bruce they have a manager who knows what it takes to get promoted having done it with Birmingham, Wigan and twice with Hull.
With some good signings made over the summer and a decent squad overall, the Baggies should have enough for at least the play offs as automatic promotion looks a bit far off.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
WATFORD
This will be seen as more of a rebuilding season for the Hornets this year because of the mess they were in at the end of last season. They've had so many managers during the Pozzo's ownership of the club and they'll need to use this season to come up with an identity and a long term plan which they haven't had.
They will target promotion as they just came down and have a number of good players in their squad. But with an unproven manager at this level in Rob Edwards who will need time to get his methods across, the play offs look a more realistic target than automatic promotion.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
BLACKBURN
Rovers haven't really been spoken about as potential promotion contenders ahead of the new season but as the Championship has seen many surprise packages over the years, I have a feeling that Rovers might put themselves in the mix for at least the play offs.
It might take them time to get used to Jon Dahl Tomasson's methods, but with Ben Brereton Diaz and Sam Gallagher still around, a potnetial play off push could still happen.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
SHEFFIELD UNITED
The Blades put themselves in the play off mix last season after a poor start and they'll be expected to be in around there again this season. With a manager who knows the club in Paul Heckingbottom and a good squad of players at their disposal, the play offs is a realistic target. Especially if they carry their form from the end of last season into this campaign.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
Outsiders
BURNLEY
The Clarets will target promotion as they just came down but achieving that goal looks very unlikely. A number of players have left the club with the majority of them leaving after the expiration of their contracts plus it will take them time to get used to Vincent Kompany's style of play. A tough season lies ahead for the Clarets.
PREDICTION: Top Half
COVENTRY
Coventry kept themselves in contention for a play off spot for the majority of last season and Mark Robins will be hoping that his side can do the same again this season. I think they'll have more than enough to finish in the top half but another season pushing for the play offs is a big ask.
PREDICTION: Top Half
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