How will the ambitious pair of Leeds United and Leicester City perform? Will Middlesborough get it right? Here are our Championship predictions.
Tomorrow marks the beginning of the football season for Premier League clubs and the excitement is almost at fever pitch. But whilst all the focus has been on City, United and Co, many will have not realised that the Championship also kicks off tonight.
Ahead of yet another hotly contested season Connor Jipps predicts the standings come May.
Derby – It is a tribute to Nigel Clough’s ability to get the best out of players that Derby finished 12th last season. I simply cannot see a repeat this year with a lack of goalscoring talent still evident and uninspiring signings struggling to improve the squad particularly. Clough will once again need to be at his best to keep County in the division this time around. Prediction: 19th
Hull City – Hull have picked up a fantastic signing in Amos that will only add to the solid defence of last year. Chester will once again be key to keeping their defensive record formidable but strikers need to step up and score more goals next season. Many teams below them last season have improved and for that reason I think they’ll find themselves in the lower half of the table. Prediction: 15th
Huddersfield – The key to Huddersfield season will be whether star striker Jordan Rhodes can make the step up to the Championship and transfer his goalscoring form. Having seen him a few times last season I believe he has the skills to do so and his goals will help keep Huddersfield up. Young signings Scannell and Norwood will provide flair and creativity whilst Gerrard is a solid if unspectacular addition. Prediction: 18th
Ipswich – The club have a good core base of young players on their books and Cresswell, Hyam and on loan Spurs man Luongo are likely to impress. Signings have been variable, but in Loach they have a potential England international if he can reach his potential. Paul Jewell has his critics but with a good squad at his disposal I’m optimistically predicting a comfortable midtable finish. Prediction: 12th
Leeds United – Since rejoining the Championship Leeds have really been a midtable team and I think it will continue again this year. McCormack will get goals as could much the much maligned Diouf. Selling Snodgrass was a huge blow to the club and one that will ultimately prevent a challenge being made to the top teams in the division. Prediction: 11th
Leicester –A first full season under Nigel Pearson will help the club and Pearson has steadily been rebuilding following the failures of his predecessor Sven. The club have sold those with the wrong attitude and brought in youngsters hungry to fight for their place, a blend of activity that can only prove to improve. Prediction: 4th
Middlesbrough – After the horror show of 2010/11, Boro came on leaps and bounds last year under Tony Mowbray with Marvin Emnes in particular impressing. Signings have been OK but not good enough to achieve promotion unless Woodgate can play on a regular basis, something that sadly seems unlikely. Prediction: 9th
Millwall – Shittu and Malone will certainly strengthen Millwall’s defence but with Kane returning to Tottenham after his loan they have lost an integral attacking option. They have struggled to push on as a club in the Championship but they will once again stay up and hope to produce a base on which they can build upon in a years time. Prediction: 20th
What do you think? Are our prediction close?
image: © steenbergs
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