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Championship Tips 2025-26: Read our season preview including 1-24 prediction for every team
Championship Tips 2025-26: Season Preview and Predictions
As the 2025-26 EFL Championship season approaches, excitement is building among fans, players, and clubs alike. The Championship is known for its competitiveness, unpredictability, and the sheer passion of its supporters. This season promises to be no different, with several clubs looking to secure promotion to the Premier League while others aim to avoid relegation. In this comprehensive season preview, we will analyze each team in the Championship, providing insights and predictions for their campaigns, along with a 1-24 ranking based on their potential performance.
The Championship Landscape
The EFL Championship is often regarded as one of the most competitive leagues in the world. With 24 teams vying for promotion, the battle for the top spots is fierce. The league is characterized by its physicality, tactical battles, and the ability of teams to surprise their opponents. As we head into the 2025-26 season, several key storylines are emerging.
Key Storylines
- Promotion Contenders: Several clubs are expected to challenge for promotion to the Premier League, including those who narrowly missed out last season and newly relegated teams looking to bounce back.
- Relegation Battles: At the other end of the table, teams will be fighting to avoid relegation to League One. The pressure will be on clubs to secure points early in the season to avoid a relegation dogfight.
- Managerial Changes: The Championship has seen a number of managerial changes over the summer, with clubs looking to bring in fresh ideas and tactics to improve their fortunes.
- Emerging Talents: The league is known for its ability to showcase young talent. This season, several players are expected to make a name for themselves and attract attention from top-flight clubs.
Team-by-Team Analysis and Predictions
1. Burnley
Last Season: Burnley finished in the mid-table after being promoted from League One.
Manager: Vincent Kompany
Key Players: Anass Zaroury, Josh Brownhill, and Nathan Redmond.
Prediction: Burnley has a solid squad and the experience of manager Vincent Kompany. They will aim for a top-half finish and could challenge for the playoffs if they maintain consistency.
Final Position: 6th
2. Sheffield United
Last Season: Sheffield United was relegated from the Premier League.
Manager: Paul Heckingbottom
Key Players: Iliman Ndiaye, Sander Berge, and Oliver McBurnie.
Prediction: With a strong squad and the experience of playing in the Premier League, Sheffield United will be one of the favorites for promotion. They have the quality to secure a top-two finish.
Final Position: 2nd
3. Norwich City
Last Season: Norwich City finished mid-table after a disappointing campaign.
Manager: David Wagner
Key Players: Teemu Pukki, Max Aarons, and Gabriel Sara.
Prediction: Norwich has the quality to challenge for promotion, but consistency will be key. They should be in the playoff mix but may fall short of automatic promotion.
Final Position: 5th
4. West Bromwich Albion
Last Season: West Brom finished in the playoff positions but fell short in the semifinals.
Manager: Carlos Corberán
Key Players: Brandon Thomas-Asante, John Swift, and Daryl Dike.
Prediction: West Brom has a strong squad and will be looking to go one step further this season. They have the potential to secure automatic promotion.
Final Position: 3rd
5. Middlesbrough
Last Season: Middlesbrough finished in the playoff positions.
Manager: Michael Carrick
Key Players: Chuba Akpom, Marcus Forss, and Hayden Hackney.
Prediction: With a solid squad and a good manager in Michael Carrick, Middlesbrough will be in the mix for promotion again. They have the potential to challenge for the playoffs.
Final Position: 4th
6. Ipswich Town
Last Season: Ipswich Town was promoted from League One.
Manager: Kieran McKenna
Key Players: Conor Chaplin, George Hirst, and Sam Morsy.
Prediction: Ipswich Town has made a strong start to life in the Championship and will look to build on their momentum. They could surprise a few teams and finish in the top half.
Final Position: 8th
7. Luton Town
Last Season: Luton Town was promoted to the Premier League.
Manager: Rob Edwards
Key Players: Carlton Morris, Elijah Adebayo, and Allan Campbell.
Prediction: Luton will be looking to establish themselves in the Championship after their promotion. They have the potential to finish in the top half but may struggle against stronger teams.
Final Position: 10th
8. Cardiff City
Last Season: Cardiff City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Erol Bulut
Key Players: Callum Robinson, Kieffer Moore, and Ryan Wintle.
Prediction: Cardiff City will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 9th
9. Sunderland
Last Season: Sunderland finished in the playoff positions.
Manager: Tony Mowbray
Key Players: Ross Stewart, Patrick Roberts, and Dan Neil.
Prediction: Sunderland has a talented squad and will be looking to build on their playoff run. They have the potential to challenge for promotion again.
Final Position: 7th
10. Blackburn Rovers
Last Season: Blackburn Rovers finished mid-table.
Manager: Jon Dahl Tomasson
Key Players: Ben Brereton Diaz, Tyrhys Dolan, and Joe Rothwell.
Prediction: Blackburn has the potential to challenge for the playoffs but will need to find consistency. They could finish in the top half if they perform well.
Final Position: 11th
11. Bristol City
Last Season: Bristol City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Nigel Pearson
Key Players: Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo, and Alex Scott.
Prediction: Bristol City will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find their form. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 12th
12. QPR
Last Season: QPR finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
Key Players: Chris Willock, Ilias Chair, and Lyndon Dykes.
Prediction: QPR will be looking to build on their squad and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to finish in the top half.
Final Position: 13th
13. Hull City
Last Season: Hull City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Liam Rosenior
Key Players: Oscar Estupinan, Regan Slater, and Jean Michael Seri.
Prediction: Hull City will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find their form. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 14th
14. Coventry City
Last Season: Coventry City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Mark Robins
Key Players: Viktor Gyökeres, Gustavo Hamer, and Callum O’Hare.
Prediction: Coventry City has a talented squad and will be looking to build on their previous performances. They could finish in the top half if they find consistency.
Final Position: 15th
15. Stoke City
Last Season: Stoke City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Alex Neil
Key Players: Tyrese Campbell, Jacob Brown, and Joe Allen.
Prediction: Stoke City will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find their form. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 16th
16. Rotherham United
Last Season: Rotherham United finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Matt Taylor
Key Players: Chiedozie Ogbene, Michael Smith, and Dan Barlaser.
Prediction: Rotherham United will be looking to build on their squad and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to finish in the top half.
Final Position: 17th
17. Wigan Athletic
Last Season: Wigan Athletic finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Shaun Maloney
Key Players: Will Keane, Max Power, and Tom Naylor.
Prediction: Wigan Athletic will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find their form. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 18th
18. Blackpool
Last Season: Blackpool finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Michael Appleton
Key Players: Jerry Yates, Josh Bowler, and Keshi Anderson.
Prediction: Blackpool will be looking to build on their squad and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to finish in the top half.
Final Position: 19th
19. Huddersfield Town
Last Season: Huddersfield Town finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Neil Warnock
Key Players: Danny Ward, Sorba Thomas, and Jonathan Hogg.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find their form. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 20th
20. Cardiff City
Last Season: Cardiff City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Erol Bulut
Key Players: Callum Robinson, Kieffer Moore, and Ryan Wintle.
Prediction: Cardiff City will be looking to build on their squad and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to finish in the top half.
Final Position: 21st
21. Millwall
Last Season: Millwall finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Gary Rowett
Key Players: Benik Afobe, Jed Wallace, and Scott Malone.
Prediction: Millwall will be looking to improve this season and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find their form. They have the potential to surprise.
Final Position: 22nd
22. Bristol City
Last Season: Bristol City finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Nigel Pearson
Key Players: Nahki Wells, Antoine Semenyo, and Alex Scott.
Prediction: Bristol City will be looking to build on their squad and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to finish in the top half.
Final Position: 23rd
23. Rotherham United
Last Season: Rotherham United finished in the lower mid-table.
Manager: Matt Taylor
Key Players: Chiedozie Ogbene, Michael Smith, and Dan Barlaser.
Prediction: Rotherham United will be looking to build on their squad and could challenge for a playoff spot if they find consistency. They have the potential to finish in the top half.
Final Position: 24th
Conclusion
The 2025-26 EFL Championship season promises to be an exciting and unpredictable journey for all 24 teams involved. With promotion and relegation battles set to unfold, fans can expect thrilling matches, emerging talents, and intense rivalries. As the season progresses, the predictions made in this preview will be put to the test, and the true character of each team will be revealed on the pitch.
Whether you support a promotion contender or a team fighting to avoid relegation, the Championship is sure to deliver drama and excitement throughout the season. Buckle up for what promises to be another unforgettable campaign in one of the most competitive leagues in football!Bookmark messageCopy messageExport
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