The Championship is a league full of drama, and with the new season upon us, it's time to dive into the predictions and predictions of the experts. The talkSPORT Breakfast host Jeff Stelling and EFL expert Adrian Clarke have shared their insights on which teams will rise to the top and which will struggle to stay afloat. Let's take a closer look at their thoughts and explore the factors that could shape the season ahead.
Champions
Jeff Stelling's Pick: Middlesbrough
Stelling believes that Middlesbrough will be the team to lift the Championship title this season. He highlights their significant spending, with Steve Gibson investing a substantial £36.5 million in new players. The addition of Will Lankshear and Radek Vítek, along with the presence of Kyle Joseph and Kim Hellberg, makes Stelling confident in Boro's chances. He also praises the manager's leadership, stating, 'I like the manager.'
Adrian Clarke's Pick: West Ham
Clarke, on the other hand, sees West Ham as the favorites. He praises the team's recent form and the positive impact of players like Jarrod Bowen. Clarke mentions the club's recent struggles but believes this season could be different. He highlights the signings of Joël Veltman and Manor Solomon, and the manager's previous success in the Championship with Wolves. Clarke's confidence in West Ham's title bid is evident, stating, 'I think West Ham have the players, they have the manager, they have a big crowd as well.'
Automatic Promotion
Jeff Stelling's Prediction: Wolves
Stelling also predicts Wolves to secure automatic promotion. He acknowledges their experience with players like Kieran Trippier and Raúl Jiménez, and their potential to score goals in the Championship. Stelling's confidence in Wolves' promotion bid is clear, stating, 'I think Wolves might go up automatically too.'
Adrian Clarke's Prediction: West Ham and Middlesbrough
Clarke, in contrast, sees West Ham as a strong contender for automatic promotion. He believes they have the players, manager, and support to succeed. Clarke also highlights Middlesbrough's recent form and their strengthened squad, predicting them to join West Ham in the top two. He states, 'I think West Ham have the players, they have the manager, they have a big crowd as well. So West Ham, I think, will win the title. Who's going to go up with them? There's two that really spring to mind, and that's Middlesbrough...'
Playoffs
Jeff Stelling's Predictions: West Ham, Wrexham, Norwich, Southampton, Birmingham, and Millwall
Stelling's playoff predictions include West Ham, Wrexham, Norwich, Southampton, Birmingham, and Millwall. He highlights West Ham's recent struggles and their need for improvement. Wrexham's spending and new signings are noted, while Norwich's momentum from last season is praised. Southampton's new signings, including Divin Mubama and Cyle Larin, are also mentioned. Stelling's confidence in these teams' playoff chances is evident, stating, 'I've got Wrexham there as well. Spent a lot of money, and they'll keep on spending.'
Championship Dark Horse
Adrian Clarke's Pick: Bristol City
Clarke identifies Bristol City as a potential dark horse. He acknowledges their recent struggles but praises their manager, Michael Skubala, and the signings of Lorent Tolaj and Dom Ballard. Clarke believes Bristol City can make a step up and challenge for promotion, stating, 'I think of teams that haven't really been in the mix for a while, keep your eye on Bristol City.'
Managers Under Pressure
Adrian Clarke's Analysis: Chris Davies, John Mousinho, and Chris Wilder
Clarke discusses the pressure on managers Chris Davies at Birmingham, John Mousinho at Portsmouth, and Chris Wilder at Sheffield United. He mentions the challenges faced by Davies due to ownership issues and the potential impact on his performance. Mousinho's speculation and Wilder's recent poor season are also mentioned as factors that could lead to managerial changes.
Relegation
Jeff Stelling's Predictions: Lincoln, Charlton, and QPR
Stelling predicts Lincoln, Charlton, and QPR to be among the teams fighting for survival. He acknowledges Lincoln's recent success in League One but expresses doubt about their ability to replicate it in the Championship. Charlton's lack of strengthening is noted, while QPR's recruitment of Tariq Lamptey and Dennis Cirkin is praised. Stelling's predictions are based on his analysis of the teams' current form and potential.
Adrian Clarke's Predictions: Blackburn, Preston, and Portsmouth
Clarke, on the other hand, sees Blackburn, Preston, and Portsmouth as potential relegation candidates. He highlights Blackburn's recent struggles and their limited signings. Preston's position in the Championship for a while and their potential downward trend are mentioned. Clarke also acknowledges Portsmouth's challenges but expresses optimism about Lincoln's ability to stay afloat.
Standout Transfer Signings
Adrian Clarke's Recommendations: Middlesbrough, West Bromwich Albion, Swansea, and Southampton
Clarke highlights several standout transfer signings, including Middlesbrough's Lankshear and Vítek. He also mentions Jimmy-Jay Morgan at West Bromwich Albion and Simon Ross-Stewart at Swansea. Clarke praises Southampton's signings, including Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin, while expressing uncertainty about Tonda Eckert's future.
Championship Coverage on talkSPORT
The article concludes by emphasizing talkSPORT's comprehensive coverage of the Championship's opening weekend, providing a detailed schedule of live and exclusive broadcasts.
