Championship Promotion Contenders

The new EFL season kicks off this weekend and there are set to be a number of teams from the Championship eyeing promotion to the Premier League.

Let's see which clubs I think will be in the mix:

Automatic Hopefuls

WEST HAM

Out of the sides that have come down, West Ham look the best equipped to bounce straight back up as they have arguably the strongest squad in the league and a manager in Nuno Espirito Santo who has been promoted before with Wolves in 2018. Because of this and Jarrod Bowen still around, they should have more than enough to earn promotion.

PREDICTION: Promoted

SOUTHAMPTON

Southampton ended last season very strongly under Tonda Eckert and they probably would've been promoted had it not been for Spygate. The fallout of Spygate might affect them heading into this season but if they can carry their late-season form into this season, they'll definitely have a good shot at promotion.

PREDICTION: Promoted

Play Off Contenders

MILLWALL

Millwall finished just a point outside the automatic promotion places last season and they'll no doubt be looking to go one better this season. They've been a club knocking on the door of the Premier League in recent seasons and with the majority of their key players still around, I can see them go close once again.

PREDICTION: Play Offs

MIDDLESBROUGH

Middlesbrough were beaten in the play off final by eventual winners Hull last season and they should definitely go again this season. Losing Hayden Hackney to Everton is a massive blow but they have made some good signings over the summer and still have a strong squad on paper. Because of this they should at least finish in the play offs again.

PREDICTION: Play Offs

NORWICH

Norwich were a side transformed when Philippe Clement took over as he took them from the foot of the table to the cusp of the play offs. I have tipped them for play offs in each of the last season only for them not to finish there. But if they can carry their form from the latter stages of last season into this season, they should finish in the play off places.

PREDICTION: Play Offs

WOLVES

Promotion will of course be the aim for Wolves this season as they've just come down. But after losing a lot of games in the Premier League last season, it could take them time to get used to winning games again. They have made some decent signings including Kieron Trippier and Raul Jimenez, who is back after four seasons away, but I only see them reaching the play offs because of them needing time to back in the habit of winning games and having a relatively unknown manager in charge in Cesar Peixoto.

PREDICTION: Play Offs

SHEFFIELD UNITED

Sheffield United needed to bring back Chris Wilder just a few months after letting him go to save their season last season following a terrible under Ruben Selles. With Wilder in charge for the whole season alongside having a good squad at his disposal, they should definitely make the play offs.

PREDICTION: Play Offs

DERBY

Derby finished just four points outside the play offs last season and whilst that might be seen as an overachievement, they'll surely be looking to into the play offs once again this season. They've kept hold of most of their key players this summer with a good manager in John Eustace, I can see them make that final push into the play offs.

PREDICTION: Play Offs

Outsiders

BRISTOL CITY

Bristol City had an inconsistent season last season as they finished a long way off the play offs. They should get closer this season as they have an exciting young manager in charge in Michael Skubala who will play an exciting brand of football. But I think they'll fall short of the play offs because of the quality of sides they'll be up against.

PREDICTION: Top Half Finish

BURNLEY

Promotion will be the target for Burnley for this season as they've just come down and have been promoted twice in the last four seasons. But this season could be all about them looking for stability because of them yo-yoing between the Premier League and Championship in recent seasons. With a new boss who is relatively unknown in charge, I think they could take a back step and focus more of stability.

PREDICTION: Top Half Finish