Evans believes Newcastle, Norwich and Sheffield Wednesday are the three teams to watch, and also recommends Derby could be in the mix, but says his former side Leeds will be short, as it stands.
Former Leeds United manager Steve Evans
Former Leeds boss Steve Evans has named the three teams he feels have the strongest chance of winning promotion to the Premier League this coming season.
Evans told SkySports News HQ on Monday (1/8) at 10am that he feels Norwich, Newcastle and Sheffield Wednesday are the three top teams in the division.
Norwich’s Russell Martin and Wes Hoolahan applaud the fans at the end of the match after being relegated from the Barclays Premier League
Evans, currently out of work after his contract with Leeds expired last season, also tipped Derby County as outsiders.
He said: “Newcastle, Norwich, and Sheffield Wednesday. Those are the three I’m predicting to be battling to be champions.”
There are only two automatic promotion spots available, with the third position decided through the play-offs.
Evans believes Nigel Pearson’s appointment at Derby means they will be contenders. He said: “For me at Derby County, Pearson was an astute appointment. They will compete for playoffs and automatic.”
Former Leicester City manager Nigel Pearson
Quizzed about his former club, Evans said that Leeds need more investment to be considered in the same category as the teams he had mentioned.
He said: “I think he [Garry Monk] still has to add to the squad to be in the top six.
“If Mr Cellino opens that chequebook, which hasn’t happened for a while, they can get the players to get into the play-offs.”
Leeds owner Massimo Cellino
This season in the Championship is set to be one of the most competitive in years, even if Newcastle have the potential to be runaway champions.
There is a strength in depth through the division, and Evans believes Newcastle will have it far from their own way in the battle for top spot.
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