Championship Outright Predictions and Tips for 2024/25

This season's Championship lineup is superb, and predicting which teams will be where is really difficult. For many teams, this season could be the culmination of several years of work, and several years of planning, and for others, it could be the year where their plans come to a halt.

At both ends of the table, I'm expecting there to be drama, and for different reasons. Towards the top end of the league, I think there are several teams that can challenge for the automatic promotions spots - more so than in previous years.

Alternatively, the bottom end of the table presents a difficult debate for me. Once again, several teams could be involved in the relegation picture, and there are several reasons for this.

Who Will Win the Championship Title?

I've already given a brief overview of the division, but the title race this season is going to be incredibly difficult to call, and I'm really glad I've not been tasked with trying to pick one side to win the league in way of a 1-24 list.

When taking a look at the league, I think that there are probably six or seven teams that could be in with a chance for the title, but I think there are two clear standout options, at least in my eyes and those are Luton Town (best priced at 12/1) and Leeds United (best priced at 7/2).

Starting with Luton, when they got promoted to the Premier League, it was very unexpected. When they got relegated, it was quite expected. However, their transfers were tailored for this. The Hatters invested in players who could step up to the top level but, more importantly, would likely stay if they got relegated to the second division.

Looking at the squad after a season of playing together, they have a very competitive Championship squad, and I think it's fair to say that there are Premier League quality players within their set-up - I'm looking at Elijah Adebayo most notably to make a difference, and perhaps he could be in with a chance of winning the Golden Boot. Furthermore, keeping Rob Edwards has been a fantastic thing, perhaps, their biggest 'win' of the summer if we can call it that.

Next, we have Leeds United, the Whites were in the title race for a lot of the 2023/24 season, and I think they will be again next season. After losing the playoff final, there were questions about how much of the squad would remain due to reported financial issues.

Whilst Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville departed, they have kept a lot of their stars, such as Georginio Rutter and Ethan Ampadu, and I think they are in a fantastic position ahead of the upcoming season. Given everything, perhaps, they are in a better position than last season for the title race, but they'll be around the title picture.

Who Will Win Promotion from the Championship?

I mentioned in the Title Winner section that several teams could be in with a chance of winning the league, but it was better to mention two in-depth, and now we'll look elsewhere at the other sides who will be vying for promotion from the Championship.

I'm going to start with Middlesbrough, who are a team that I'm really excited about this season. Not only do they have a fantastic manager in Michael Carrick, but they also have a fantastic squad, in terms of quality and depth, and I think they could strongly challenge for the automatic places, with Emanuel Latte Lath leading the line as well, and he could be a decent shout for the Golden Boot.

The next side that I feel similarly about is Coventry City, and a lot of the same things can be said here. They have a fantastic squad filled with exciting players, and Mark Robbins is a manager who I really like.

Burnley are the next team in the picture, and they're creating a bit of an internal conflict for me. On paper, they have a nice squad, and Scott Parker normally does well with teams of this calibre in the Championship. However, I have doubts if they are going to be able to transition from a Vincent Kompany side to a Parker side.

West Bromwich Albion, Norwich and Sheffield United could also be in with chances of promotion, but I don't see them challenging for the automatic places.

Who will be Relegated from the Championship?

The top end of the table is difficult to call, and we're looking at a similar tale at the bottom end of the division in my eyes, and I think there are five teams that could be in the mixer.

With Portsmouth, they did fantastically in League One last season, but whether they will be able to step up to the Championship is something which I'm unsure of currently, but I think they have a good chance compared to some of the others.

Next up, we have Derby County. I think they are in for a dogfight in the upcoming season, and I'm really unsure about how they will fare in the division. On paper, they do not have any players that are massively standout for me, and whilst they have a decent squad, I'm conflicted about whether it will be enough to stay up.

Blackburn Rovers are a team who are facing an absolute nightmare situation in the face, and I think this could be the season where the drop occurs. They have been questionable for a few seasons now, and tension with their owners, the Venky's, is at an all-time high, and their squad does not fill me with confidence even if John Eustace is a good manager.

Another side that scares me this season is Plymouth Argyle. Argyle have a poor squad, that is made to look better by the possession of the gem that is Morgan Whittaker, but having Wayne Rooney in charge just seems like a recipe for disaster after his previous work with Birmingham City.

Finally, we have Oxford United, who are a team that could cause some shocks, but I'm unsure about their overall quality. Des Buckingham is a fantastic coach, and I do think that he will do well with the squad at his hands, and they will put up a fight. However, I see the step up being a bit too much for them.