The EFL kicks off this weekend and in the Championship there will be a number of teams eyeing promotion to the Premier League.
Lets see which teams I think will be in the mix.
Automatic hopefuls
MIDDLESBROUGH
Michael Carrick did an incredible job when he arrived at the Riverside back in October as he took Boro from the relegation zone to the play offs. Carrick himself has had a full summer to build his own team ahead of his first full campaign in charge and if his side can carry their form towards the end of last season into this season, they should have enough to secure promotion.
PREDICTION: Promoted
LEEDS
Out of all the sides that came down, Leeds are arguably the best equipped to bounce straight back up. Most of the players in their squad were at the club the last time they got promoted in 2020 and they have a manager in Daniel Farke who knows how to get out of this division having done so twice with Norwich in 2019 and 2021. Because of this they should bounce back at the first attempt.
PREDICTION: Promoted
Play Off Contenders
LEICESTER
The Foxes will target promotion having just come down but after seeing several players leave the club following their relegation from the Premier League, automatic promotion is a big ask. The signings of Conor Coady and Harry Winks give them a boost but new boss Enzo Maresca will still need time to work out his best team after seeing so many players leave the club during the summer. Because of this I think they'll only get the play offs.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
WEST BROM
The Baggies missed out on the play offs by three points last season after Carlos Corberan turned their season around following a poor start. Corberan lead Huddersfield to the play off final a couple of seasons ago and has had a full summer to build his own team ahead of his first full season in charge. With a good squad and a good manager at the helm, the Baggies should get at least the play offs.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
COVENTRY
The Sky Blues have been in and around the play offs for the last couple of seasons and were beaten in the final last season by eventual winners Luton. That play off final defeat will hurt them as it has done for some teams in the past. But with top goal scorer Victor Gyokeres still around, Mark Robins' side should be up there again for a play off spot.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
MILLWALL
The Lions have been knocking on the door of the play offs for the last few seasons and missed out by just a single point last season. Gary Rowett's side will be determined to reach those play off spots this season after missing out last season and with a good squad of players at his disposal, they should go one better this season.
PREDICTION: Play Offs
Outsiders
SOUTHAMPTON
Promotion will be the target for the Saints this season but after losing a lot of games in the Premier League last season, it might take them time to get used to winning games again. New manager Russel Martin in my opinion is an uninspiring appointment as he didn't achieve one top six finish in two seasons at Swansea. With skipper James Ward Prowse still likely to go, they might fall short of the play offs.
PREDICTION: Top Half
BLACKBURN
Rovers spent the majority of last season in the play offs only for them to miss out right at the very end. John Dahl Tomasson's side will be targeting another play off push this season but with Ben Brereton Diaz gone, it could be tough. Without his goals I can see them fall short again.
PREDICTION: Top Half
WATFORD
The Hornets had a disappointing season last season as they finished 11th and well off the play offs. They've definitely got a good enough squad to push for the play offs and they also have a good manager in Valarien Ismael who lead Barnsley to the play offs in 2021. But will he get given the time due to Watford's history of constantly changing their manager.
PREDICTION: Top Half
Comments