Championship Predictions - Who is going up and who is going down?

BY FRANKIE CHRISTOU - @FrankieChristou

With new boys Luton Town hosting Middlesbrough on Friday evening, the 2019/20  season finally gets underway and as always the Championship proves to be as volatile as it is entertaining. 

Who would have predicted that both Norwich and Sheffield United would win automatic promotion last season? Not me, that is for sure. 

This season, I hope to make a much shrewder attempt to predict the ups and downs of the league. 

So here are my forecasts:

Automatic Promotion: 

Leeds United: 

It hurts to say it, but Marcelo Bielsa is a footballing genius. The Argentinian transformed an average Leeds United team into unit destined for promotion last season, and if it wasn’t for their end of season slump they would already be in the Premier League. 

This season the majority of the squad would have become accustomed to the Bielsa’s strenuous training sessions making his painstaking managerial philosophy a normality. As we witnessed with ‘spy gate’ he also thoroughly researches his opponents, which will churn out the hardest of results. 

The loan-signing of Helder Costa from Wolves will give Leeds an edge in the final third, as the Portuguese winger is known for having blistering pace and a good end product. They may not be champions, but I know they will definitely be fighting for one of the two automatic promotion places. 

Promotion Odds (William Hill) - 5/2

Fulham: 

The west London club made a mess of their return to the top flight last season. They finished second from bottom after spending over £100m on average players. It was embarrassing, however, it could bode to be a valuable lesson in their aim to return at the first time of asking. 

Money was at the center of all their problems last season, but it may well be their savior in the Championship. So far, the Cottagers have invested the majority of their budget in keeping talisman Aleksandar Mitrovic. The Serb scored 12 goals in only 20 appearances when he was last in the Championship, and then managed 11 in last season’s awful showing. 

Fulham still have a squad of Premier League quality as they have the funds to keep hold of their best players at least for one more season and I think unlike last season, their gamble will pay off. 

Promotion Odds - 5/2

Playoffs: 

Brentford –5/1 

I backed the Bee’s to make the cut last season, but the managerial loss of Dean Smith to Aston Villa ruined their chances. They will reap the benefits of keeping hold of star men Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma - while the loss of Maupay, Sawyers and Konsa will mean it will be close. They have also carried out some shrewd business in this transfer window. If they reach the final, I expect them to be the winners. 

Cardiff City - 3/1

The bluebirds impressed many last season in the Premier League by not finishing rock bottom. They practically still have the same squad and with a manager like Neil Warnock, promotion is always on the cards. However, the league is stronger than two years ago when they waltzed their way to the Premier League and I believe they will just make the play-off places. 

Huddersfield - 5/1

Many are writing Huddersfield off as promotion contenders this year, but not me. I still remember the year they were promoted. However, a few things have changed since then but their manager and squad still boast quality to compete in the second tier. 

West Brom - 5/2 

Slaven Bilic will try his best, and it will probably get the most of this current West Brom squad. However, the loss of Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle will be tough on them and I think it will bring a similar fate of a play-off semi-final defeat.  

Stoke City - 7/2 

Stoke are an odd one, their season could go either of two ways. Last season, it turned out to be a dull affair but I think this season will be kinder to them. They signed five players on a free, all with Championship quality which will grant them the experience they yearned for last time out. 

Relegation: 

Barnsley – 9/4

The fact that their defensive core has been raided from this summer means they stand little chance of survival this season. The acquisitions of Connor Chaplin and Luke Thomas will soothe their wounds, but they are destined for the drop. 

Wigan – 3/1

Paul Cook worked wonders in last season’s transfer window, this season has been disappointing. Reece James is a hard player to replace, but even with the likes of Jamal Lowe, I think the Latic’s luck has run out. 

Reading – 3/1

The late managerial change paid off last season, but the Royals’ soft transfer embargo means Jose Gomes will have his hands tied. It will be close between them and Charlton, but I think Lee Bowyer and the Addick’s promotion euphoria will just edge it. 

All odds supplied by William Hill.