Leeds United, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion are all aiming to get promoted to the Premier League.
Well-known sports presenter Richard Keys has predicted on his website that Brighton & Hove Albion will win the Championship title this season and get promoted to the Premier League.
Keys has also suggested that Leeds United could clinch one of the two automatic promotion places at the expense of Newcastle United.
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Newcastle are at the top of the Championship table at the moment with 62 points from 29 matches, just a point clear of second-placed Brighton.
West Yorkshire outfit Leeds are currently fifth in the standings with 54 points from 30 games.
“I wouldn’t rule out Leeds getting up automatically,” Keys wrote on his website. “If they do it’s Newcastle that could miss out – and Benitez knows it. As for Monk, he’s a fine young British coach who was badly treated at Swansea. It’s good to see him recovering his reputation.
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“I fancy Brighton to win the Championship and I’d be delighted for the Bloom brothers if they do. These two guys are ‘football’ people and they’ve delivered on everything they said they would.
“They’ve got a terrific manager in Chris Hughton (as Newcastle fans know only too well!) and I hope it’s their turn after last season’s near miss. The Blooms let Chris get on with his job.”
Newcastle have the strongest squad in the Championship, and it is hard to see Rafael Benitez’s side drop out of the automatic places.
True, the Magpies’ recent results and performances have not been great, but given the quality and talent they have, they should be able to end up at least second.
Leeds are going strong under Garry Monk this season and should be able to claim a playoff spot. The Whites can make a push for the top two, but the Elland Road outfit should be targeting the third or the fourth spot.
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