The Championship will get underway on Friday evening, kick-starting the annual scramble to clinch promotion and the riches that accompany being within the Premier League.
This yr might be headlined by the three relegated sides who might be hoping to make a right away return to the highest flight whereas there are two golf equipment that might be of curiosity to American audiences hoping to make an impression.
Add in Snoop Dogg, the Spud Bros and an almighty mess at one of many division’s greatest golf equipment and it has all of the makings of a usually loopy Championship marketing campaign!
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Promotion Favourites
For all of the discuss of Wrexham and Birmingham difficult, the highest three will probably comprise Ipswich, Southampton and Leicester. All three got here down final season and despite the fact that the Foxes may but face a factors deduction for breaching PSR laws, the power of their squad should see them mount a title tilt.
Ipswich and Southampton take advantage of compelling instances, although.
The former, beneath Kieran McKenna, have stability and a squad stacked with gamers who’ve shone at this degree beforehand. The likes of Omari Hutchinson, Jaden Philogene, Sammie Szmodics and Jack Clarke possess sufficient high quality to present any Championship defence nightmares.
Add within the expertise of Ashley Young and it’s arduous to look previous the Tractor Boys.
Southampton should be their closet challengers. Although they’ve misplaced some gamers following relegation they seem sturdy, and can transfer up a degree additional if striker Ross Stewart can keep match. The query mark comes within the dug-out with Will Still now in cost.
Play-off Contenders
Sheffield United will once more be sturdy however have to beat the heartbreak of their play-off closing defeat to Sunderland in May. Kieffer Moore, Vinicius Souza and Anel Ahmedhodzic have all moved on however Ruben Selles seems a wise appointment to switch Chris Wilder.
Coventry thrived beneath Frank Lampard final season and should be adequate to safe a top-six end whereas Norwich might be boosted by having Liam Manning as coach following his spectacular work at Bristol City.
West Brom may go properly beneath Ryan Mason, as may Middlesbrough if Rob Edwards’ fashion of play is embraced on Teesside.
So, what of Birmingham and Wrexham? Rarely have two golf equipment been promoted to the second tier with such fanfare. Both have made good strikes, notably Blues who’ve snapped up the likes of Demarai Gray, Tommy Doyle and former Celtic striker Kyogo Furuhashi.
Wrexham have taken a distinct route and gone for gamers which have carried out at this degree earlier than in Moore, Lewis O’Brien and Josh Windass.
The suspicion stays the fundamental fashion of play adopted by Phil Parkinson could maintain them again and don’t be shocked if there’s a change made by Hollywood homeowners Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds earlier than Christmas.
Birmingham look the higher wager however we’re nonetheless not satisfied they’re adequate for a playoff spot.
So what of Snoop and the Spud Bros?
In case you’d missed it, US rapper Snoop Dogg has develop into a co-owner of Swansea alongside AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric. The 53-year-old, who has offered over 35 million albums worldwide, additionally helped launch the membership’s new shirt.
If you haven’t heard of them, the Spud Bros have made a really profitable fist of mixing jacket potatoes and social media. The TikTok stars would be the shirt sponsors for hometown group Preston North End.
Fighting the Drop
Sheffield Wednesday are the plain alternative. As it stands, they’ve an proprietor who desires out, a squad quick on numbers, high quality and morale having seen their wages delayed in May, June and July. Highly rated boss Danny Rohl has left, leaving Henrik Pedersen to select up the mess.
Oxford would have gone down final season had it not been for the arrival of Gary Rowett in December. A quiet switch window doesn’t bode properly and it’s powerful to see how they’ll compete this yr.
For Oxford, additionally see Hull. Sergej Jakirovic will hope to information them to security nevertheless it might be an extended season for the Tigers.
Watford are all the time troublesome to foretell as a result of revolving door coverage at Vicarage Road. Expect them to do nearly sufficient alongside Charlton and Derby.
Three Players to Watch
Divin Mubama (Stoke)
On-loan from Manchester City, Mubama made two senior appearances beneath Pep Guardiola final season, scoring as soon as within the 8-0 FA Cup win over Salford.
Previously at West Ham, Mubama has hit the online on 74 events in 105 appearances in under-18 and under-21 soccer mixed. He has the physique to play commonly within the Championship and the proper mentor in former Manchester United striker Mark Robins.
Patrick Agyemang (Derby)
United States worldwide Agyemang is a brand new face at Pride Park having joined from Charlotte FC for a charge rising to £7.3million. Scored 17 objectives in 59 regular-season video games in MLS and can look to make his mark in English soccer.
Louie Barry (Sheffield United)
Barry was tipped for the highest when he joined Barcelona from West Brom aged 16 in 2019. It didn’t fairly work out for him in Catalonia and he returned to Aston Villa earlier than being despatched out on quite a few mortgage strikes.
He thrived at Stockport final season however didn’t discover the going fairly as simple at Hull. A everlasting transfer to Humberside collapsed, leaving Sheffield United clear to take him to Bramall Lane. It seems an excellent transfer for each events.
Predicted Championship Table
- Ipswich
- Southampton
- Leicester
- Sheffield United
- Coventry
- Norwich
- West Brom
- Birmingham
- Middlesbrough
- Wrexham
- Swansea
- Bristol City
- Stoke
- Millwall
- Preston
- Portsmouth
- QPR
- Blackburn
- Derby
- Charlton
- Watford
- Hull
- Oxford
- Sheffield Wednesday
