Title winners, play-offs and relegation

The beauty of the Championship lies in its unpredictability, and the division would have to make many pre-season predictions look silly.

The 2024/25 season has a lot to achieve given the quality we saw at the top of the second division last term, but we are sure to enjoy another top-to-bottom competitive campaign.

So, who will sink and swim in this unforgiving category? Will the team come out like Ipswich Town and fight for a place in the Premier League? Can Wayne Rooney restore the crumbling managerial reputation on the south coast?

Here we are 90 min predictions for the 2024/25 Championship season.

The top of the Championship table has been dominated by relegated teams in recent years and it is hard to see a few returning outfits in terms of the 2024/25 title race.

While Chris Wilder's Sheffield United are not expected to compete for promotion during the start of the rebuild, both Burnley again City of Luton they are ready to be players in the title race. Burnley will not be as strong as they were under Vincent Kompany two seasons ago with the more cautious Scott Parker at the helm, but the former Fulham and Bournemouth boss has an impressive scouting record.

Burnley have a strong squad but Parker has the talent within to oversee a return to the Premier League. However, Luton's stability means they could be better placed to challenge the 2024/25 champions, Leeds.

Luton have retained Rob Edwards and the majority of their 2023/24 squad who competed hard in the top flight. There should be no relegation in 2024/25, and Kenilworth Road remains a tough place for the visitors to look for points.

Both have their work cut out for them if they are to beat Leeds to the crown, however. Daniel Farke rarely slacks off in this division and they were very unlucky not to get promoted last season after finishing third with 90 points. There have been many changes in the squad but Leeds have so far bought shrewdly and will continue to dip into the market to give Farke the best chance of securing an automatic promotion spot.

However, Leeds, Luton and Burnley may not be the top three. Expect Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough and Mark Robins Coventry to enjoy improved campaigns in 2024/25.

If Middlesbrough again Coventry failing to achieve automatic promotion to the Premier League, they will enter the top six and secure places in the play-offs.

Robins Coventry had reached the final two seasons ago beating Boro in the semi-finals. Both teams were on the outside heading into the final, and Carrick's side played some solid football after a poor start.

This player who once played in England, is one of the hottest managers in this division and the goals of Emmanuel Latte Lath from Ivory Coast will replace Chuba Akpom. Manchester City's Micah Hamilton could blossom into a star at the Riverside.

Coventry's pure blend of talented youth and experienced veterans stands them in good stead. The Robins have the same squad to work with in 2024/25 and are in a good place to bounce back.

Sheffield United again West Brom they should enter the top half, but no supporter group enters 2024/25 with high expectations. On the contrary, Norwichbeaten by Leeds in the play-offs last season, they are refreshed and there is hope that Danish coach Johannes Hoff Thorup can inspire the Canaries. Norwich have suffered in recent appearances in the top flight but have been a source of excitement in the second tier.

Thorup has plenty of attacking talent and Norwich certainly shouldn't be shy. However, he will need to improve their fortunes defensively and ensure that they are very difficult to beat on the road.

Three teams will enter League 1 next May and it is hard to go past these three newly promoted teams fighting for relegation. Oxford United they are back in the second tier for the first time in 25 years and have been the hottest Championship club in the transfer market this summer following their surprise promotion.

Intellectual and physical U's will not be overwhelmed by this separation but their work is cut out if they want to survive. Oxford's youth will work in their favour, however.

League One winners Portsmouth they are best placed among the newcomers to stay in the Championship, while others are out Derby's chances of survival. The Rams are active and, like Oxford, should be hard to beat but will definitely be in a position to bounce back.

Plymouth they survived by the skin of their teeth last season and thought the best way to move up to the Championship was to recruit Wayne Rooney who had recently attacked Birmingham. Rooney hasn't shown enough as a manager to suggest he can keep the Green Army going, but at least he has Morgan Whittaker at his disposal. Plymouth will be relying on the talent of the number 10 to stay in the second division.

Blackburn's Concerns off the field mean they are in strong contention for relegation after two years on the brink of the play-offs. John Eustace's bragging rights are in their favour, but the former Birmingham boss has an all-powerful job on his hands.

Eight of the last ten Championship Golden Boot winners played for teams that finished in the top six. One such anomaly was Blackburn's Sammie Szmodics last season.

However, history suggests it would be wise to bring back one of the six firemen predicted to finish with the Golden Boot.

The Boro's Said Said enjoyed the end of last season and is expected to continue his fine goalscoring form for Carrick's side, while Leeds' Mateo Joseph He is expected to play a big role in those who are expected to be champions next season and must be a contender.

However, Coventry's Ellis Simms another outstanding candidate. Simms never really blossomed at the top level but his 2023/24 campaign was very promising, scoring 13 times in the second division. Simms found his feet at Coventry during the second half of the season and, as the Robins' squad prepare for a prosperous 2024/25, their leading man is on a productive campaign.

Predicted Championship Table for 2024/25

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