Check out our League One predictions here and our League Two predictions here.
The Championship season is back this weekend along with the rest of the Football League so it is time for our annual tradition of making our Championship predictions. With Stoke, Swansea and West Brom joining the madness from the Premier League and Wigan, Blackburn and Rotherham achieving an instant return to the second tier, the division looks as difficult to call as ever.
However, that's not stopped us from giving it our best go, let us know what you think of our predictions!
Champions
Simon Lillicrap: Stoke City
Stoke have a strong squad for the Championship and despite relegation still look stable. They should prove too strong for their competitors and win the title although questions remain over manager Gary Rowett.
Sean Raymond: Middlesbrough
It won't be pretty but Tony Pulis will get that job done on Teeside. Pulis back in the Premier League? It is on.
Russell Palmer: Middlesbrough
As competitive as ever, I'm not that keen on Stoke at the head of the market. Dire in the Premier League last year much of that squad remains and it was over ten years ago that they were promoted out of the Championship. New signings James McClean and Tom Ince hardly scream quality and they've a new manager who still has to prove himself at this level.
I'm going to play a straight bat by putting Middlesbrough to be promoted as Champions after going so close the last two years Tony Pulis with a full season under his belt can get them over the line.
Steve Chambers: West Brom
Relegated last season from the Premier League, but the Baggies showed promise under fledgling boss Darren Moore, and West Brom can lift the trophy like they did in 2008.
Jack Porter: Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest to win the Championship. The team most neutrals are hoping can replicate Wolves success last year, Forest haven’t just spent big, they’ve acquired wisely.
Costel Pantilimon and especially Michael Dawson are players with a wealth of experience in different divisions, and are solid, reliable compliments to the attractive flamboyancy inflected by yet another smattering of Portuguese talent procured by an aspiring Championship club.
Chris Knight: Middlesbrough
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Promoted
Simon: Derby County & Brentford
Derby under Frank Lampard will gain media attention but Mason Mount is too good for this level and is surrounded by a talented squad.
Meanwhile, Brentford have been building year on year and this will be the season things click into place for them and they make serious progress in the Championship, winning the play-offs.
Sean: Aston Villa & Sheffield United
Steve Bruce went very close last season with this team and with the financial situation now cleared up, Aston Villa can rejoin the big time with a squad of players who have plenty of experience at this level.
Chris Wilder is one of the best in the business and with one or two lovely additions during the window, Sheffield United can come through the play-offs.
Russell: Swansea City & Derby County
There's a feel-good factor about Derby County with the arrival of Frank Lampard and some young signings and experienced pros in this division they can be there or thereabouts again, although will need to avoid the play-offs. Whilst Swansea look a big price compared to the other two relegated teams from last season.
Steve: Derby County & Stoke City
Frank Lampard can make a huge statement in his first year as manager, as the Rams new boss can blend his youthful recruits with the current experience at Pride Park, and they can pick up second spot.
Aston Villa are sure to be prominent yet again this season, but their play-off record is rather shoddy, so it's worth backing Stoke City to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
JP: Middlesbrough & Stoke City
The main reason for choosing Middlesbrough to go up with then- and may I add run them close- ultimately comes down to having the experience of Tony Pulis barking from the dugout in his sweats and cap. They may not produce the most scintillating football over the forthcoming year, but they’re surely to be efficient effective in Pulis’ first full season in charge.
The third team are favourites Stoke City. Losing the overrated Xherdan Shaqiri might actually be a blessing for Stoke, who have retained all but one other than the Swiss to their core side. Although the pressure will be on manager Gary Rowett more than most, the man who guided Derby to a play-off position last year should relish the challenge of making the bounce back up to the top tier at the first-time of asking.
Chris: Aston Villa & Stoke City
Villa came so close last season and financial boost has arrived at the perfect time. Should go up if owners have truly kept faith with Steve Bruce.
Meanwhile, Stoke will be organised under Gary Rowett and there is enough Premier League quality still in their squad to challenge.
Three Relegated Teams
Simon: Bolton, Reading & Hull
Phil Parkinson did a brilliant job last year at Bolton keeping them up on the final day but I can't see them repeating the same trick this year.
Reading are in serious trouble this season having ground to a halt and survived by the skin of their teeth last season having barely scored under Paul Clement. I expect that trend to continue and the Royals to struggle.
Hull are another side who have had a turbulent summer losing several key players. Nigel Adkins is a good manager but I feel he won’t last the season as trouble off the pitch remains.
Sean: Rotherham, Bolton & Birmingham
Birmingham have been flirting with relegation for a while now and with money troubles engulfing the club, this is the year they finally drop into League One
Rotherham are just not good enough. Move on.
That leaves Bolton, who survived by the skin of their teeth last term but this is going to be an even greater ask for the Trotters. Bye Bye Bolton.
Russell: Reading, Ipswich & Rotherham
Reading diced with relegation last season and even though they appointed Paul Clement with eight games remaining they limped over the line. Could be a long hard season again for the Royals, whilst Rotherham are favourites for the drop.
Would it be that much of a surprise if Ipswich get sucked into it this season? New manager, but careful what you wish for, perhaps Mick McCarthy was doing a good job of keeping the Tractor Boys in the Championship all those years!
Steve: Rotherham, Bolton & Sheffield United
Rotherham United are a yo-yo club that can often find themselves too good for League One, but not good enough for the Championship, and the Millers can struggle in the second tier yet again.
Bolton Wanderers escaped relegation by the skin of their teeth last season, but they are destined for the drop this year, as they have failed to add significant strength.
Sheffield United were the surprise package last season, but the Blades will struggle to emulate last year's top-half finish, and they will be in a constant relegation battle all season.
JP: Hull City, Birmingham City & Reading
Although Bolton Wanderers just about escaped in the Battle of the Bs by the skin of their teeth, letting Barnsley and Burton drop last year, it’s looking likely that it will be Hull City instead to back for a relegation grind. Losing forward Abel Hernandez is a big blow after the two parties couldn’t negotiate a new contract.
Having brought in just Kristian Pedersen in, things are looking grim at St. Andrews, and they should be well amongst the candidates to go down, alongside recently-promoted teams such as Rotherham, who, alongside Blackburn Rovers and Wigan Athletic are making their appearance in the second division after just a year away. It’s like Birmingham’s owners are wanting them, and manager Garry Monk to fail. A close call last year has in no way been rectified; for a team that scored the join lowest goals in the league last year, they have decided to sign just one defender.
The team that finished just one place below them may be shadowing the Blues at the bottom of the table again. The memories of Reading’s third-place play-off position two seasons ago are all but banished and fans of the Royals should be anticipating a long season ahead.
Chris: Birmingham, Bolton & Rotherham
Birmingham were a mess on and off the field last season. Transfer embargo ensures they will struggle.
It's also a big ask for Rotherham to survive on their return to the second tier.
Finally, Bolton survived by the skin of their teeth last season. No escape this time.
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Golden Boot winner
Simon: Benik Afobe
Given that I’m predicting Stoke to win the league I think I’ll have to go with Benik Afobe to clinch this one. Impressive at Wolves in this division he should be Stoke’s main man. I also think Swansea’s Oli McBurnie will score a decent amount at this level.
Sean: Jay Rodriguez
Showed glimpses of quality last season for an awful team but now fully fit and down in the Championship, the former Southampton man can flourish once again.
Russell: Neil Maupay
Matej Vydra is a good bet to be up there again and a chance is taken on Neal Maupay at 40/1 each way who will get more opportunities for Brentford this season who I think will go well.
Steve: Britt Assombalonga
Many shrewd judges fancy Middlesbrough to go close this season, but if they are to challenge they need Britt Assombalonga to sparkle up top, and he is the value play in a wide-open golden boot market.
JP: Patrick Bamford
A great signing by Marcelo ‘the-jury’s-still-out-on’ Bielsa for Leeds United. Though at the age of 24 he’s been passed from pillar to post in his career, his only season since moving permanently from Chelsea, to Middlesbrough, produced a more than modest return in 2017/18. It’s a shrewd acquisition and the £10million the Whites paid for Bamford should indicate he’ll be front and centre of Bielsa’s plans.
Chris: Lewis Grabban
Scores goals for fun at this level and could thrive in a Nottingham Forest team that is expected to do well.
Surprise Package
Simon: Brentford
Dean Smith and Brentford are receiving plenty of plaudits ahead of the season and they should secure a top six finish this season.
Sean: Sheffield United
The already mentioned Sheffield United are going to surprise a few this term as they go from mid-table fodder to promotion chasers.
Russell: Brentford
Hinted at it above, Brentford could be this year's Cardiff.
Steve: Blackburn Rovers
You often see clubs blossoming on their first year in the Championship after a League One promotion, and Blackburn Rovers could be that team to challenge for a play-off spot this season.
JP: Swansea City
Swansea City. The South Welsh club had been slowly imploding over the past few seasons, culminating in their return to the Championship for the first time in seven years, and have been discounted by most as affecting the top portion of the league in the upcoming season.
Alfie Mawson is a big loss when his eventual transfer to Fulham goes through, but if the Swans can rally round, puff their chests out and crest on the lack of exception, they may push for a play-off spot.
Chris: Sheffield United
Consolidated on their return to the Championship last season and ready to progress under the impressive Chris Wilder.
Manager of the year
Simon: Dean Smith
Sticking to the Brentford theme, Dean Smith should be a contender here. Between him and Frank Lampard for me but I’ll go with Smith.
Sean: Chris WIlder
Wilder lead the Blades out of League One during his first season in charge before enjoying a solid campaign in the Championship last term, and he is the ideal man to take the Steel City club back into the top flight.
Russell: Dean Smith
If Brentford get anywhere near promotion like I think they will then Dean Smith will have a massive chance. Tony Pulis next best.
Steve: Darren Moore
If Darren Moore can continue on from last season's fine end to the season, and he can help West Brom to Championship victory then he can earn the Manager of the Year accolade.
JP: Darren Moore
Darren Moore. Because I bloody love Darren Moore.
Chris: Tony Pulis
Inherited a strong squad at Boro and they will improve for a full pre-season under the Welshman. Promotion beckons.
