The race for the world’s most lucrative promotion in football commences this weekend, with all 24 teams in action across the Championship. Blackburn and Cardiff get us under way on Friday evening, a game that will be live on Sky, owing to the ever increasing popularity of England’s second tier in recent years.
Several factors, including increasingly exciting attack-based football on offer - as teams bid to win the ultimate prize in football, promotion to the premier league - as well as the recent relegation of “big” teams such as Newcastle United, have seen the Championship become the fourth most watched league in Europe (behind only the Bundesliga, the Premier League, and La Liga).
This season, as ever, there are about ten teams that would fancy themselves Promotion Kings. But with the Championship notorious to predict, and form essential, it is not as easy task deciding who to crown before a ball is kicked.
Either way, we've given it our best shot, based on personal opinion and experience from last season, as well as transfers, in and out, boardroom antics, managerial changes, and as ever; who the bookies fancy.
This season, as ever, there are about ten teams that would fancy themselves Promotion Kings. But with the Championship notorious to predict, and form essential, it is not as easy task deciding who to crown before a ball is kicked.
Either way, we've given it our best shot, based on personal opinion and experience from last season, as well as transfers, in and out, boardroom antics, managerial changes, and as ever; who the bookies fancy.
Birmingham City
Nickname: The Blues
City: Birmingham
Stadium (Capacity): St. Andrews (30,016)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 15,457
Manager: Lee Clark
One to watch: Paul Robinson
Position finished last season: 21st
Expectations for 2014/15:
We have absolutely no idea what to expect from the Blues. They have performed painfully badly in the league since their relegation from the top flight, narrowly missing out on getting relegated by goal difference alone last season. Shocking for a team that was winning the League Cup just a few seasons ago. However, as with many teams around, financial troubles have bitten hard. It is difficult to see Birmingham achieving anything inside the top half of the league.
Blackburn Rovers
Nickname: Rovers
City: Blackburn
Stadium (Capacity): Ewood Park (31,367)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 14,960
Manager: Gary Bowyer
One to watch: Jordan Rhodes
Position finished last season: 8th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Despite a rollercoaster ride over the last couple of years, re. Venky's saga, Blackburn actually had quite a solid outing last season, just missing out on the play-offs by a whisker. With a respectable squad boasting lots of experience, they might just continue to go through the gears and make the push into the top six a reality. Let's hope the football is better than their Kit Unveiling promo video. If you havn't seen it and need a chuckle, consort Youtube.
Blackpool
Nickname: The Seasiders
City: Blackpool
Stadium (Capacity): Bloomfield Road (17,338)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 14,231
Manager: José Riga
One to watch: Angel Martinez
Position finished last season: 20th
Expectations for 2014/15:
No longer able to cling onto the talents of young Tom Ince for hope, Blackpool are a team in free fall. Financial troubles and boardroom rifts are startlingly apparent and publicised. Without even a decent sized squad registered, things looks bad for Tangerine fans. Expect to see Blackpool scrapping around in the relegation zone from start to finish..unless God is real, and lives in the North-west...and is capable of netting thirty goals a season. Sorry Blackpool fans.
Bolton Wanderers
Nickname: The Trotters
City: Bolton
Stadium (Capacity): Macron Stadium (28,723)2013/14 Average Attendance: 15,970
Manager: Dougie Freedman
One to watch: Jay Spearing
Position finished last season: 14th
Expectations for 2014/15:
The second tier of English football hasn't planned out quite the way many Bolton fans would have liked, since their departure from the Premier League. Freedman has had deflatingly little impact on their fortunes, managing only 14th last time out. As with others around the league, cost cutting is evident, and with DF handed an ever decreasing budget, his hands could be tied.
This is very much a defining season for Bolton - make headway with progress up the table, or start to stagnate as they become a "Championship side" and no more. We expect an indifferent mid table finish at best.
AFC Bournemouth
Nickname: The Cherries
City: BournemouthStadium (Capacity): Dean Court (12,000)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 10,641
Manager: Eddie Howe
One to watch: Simon Francis
Position finished last season: 10th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Nobody expected that last season did they!? An admirable effort from the club many were tipping to go straight back down. However, losing Lewis Grabban is a big blow, and Bournemouth will never be able to attract players of his calibre through transfer, so will have to replace him from within. Bournemouth are not a team all about one player however, as their attractive football showed last season, so we don't expect them to miss him to their own end.
It will prove difficult for them to break into the top half of the league if they continue to sell their best players, but we still expect them to be comfortable mid-table material for another year yet.
Brentford
Nickname: The Bees
City: LondonStadium (Capacity): Griffin Park (12,300)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 7,728
Manager: Mark Warburton
One to watch: Alan McCormack
Position finished last season: Promoted as League 1 Runners Up
Expectations for 2014/15:
Brentford, welcome to the Championship. The Bees are likely to have been on a few people's radar, prior to their promotion, for their admirable efforts in the FA Cup in January, 2013, forcing the Blues into a replay. If they are to survive in the Championship this year they are going to have to continue to use Griffin Park as a fortress, coming into the league with fantastic home form from last year. Staying up might just be beyond Brentford, having sold their top goalscorer from last season, Clayton Donaldson, to Birmingham. There have been a couple of additions, but will these prove enough? We don't think so. Brentford to go down fighting. Sorry Bees fans!
Brighton & Hove Albion
Nickname: The Seagulls
City: BrightonStadium (Capacity): Falmer Stadium (30,750)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 27,110
Manager: Sami Hyypiä
One to watch:
Position finished last season: 6th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Brighton are constantly knocking on the door of the play-offs. We are sure this year will be no different. With the highest average home attendance in the league, they have the support to make their fixtures at Falmer Stadium into a steady flow of points.
Having managed to lure Kop-Hero Sami Hyypiä to the sunny South coast is a major coup also. With Champions League experience from managing Bayer Leverkusen (albeit before being sacked), the towering Finn looks like an ample replacement for the outgoing Oscar Garcia. Brighton might just miss out on the automatic spots, and we see them finishing in the play-offs.
Cardiff City
Nickname: Who the hell knows anymore?
City: Cardiff, Wales
Stadium (Capacity): Cardiff City Stadium (33,000)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 27,430
Manager: Ole Gunnar Solskjær
One to watch: Peter Whittingham
Position finished last season: Relegated from the Premier League in 20th Place.
Expectations for 2014/15:
Cardiff are both the laughing stock, and the most heavily sympathised with fans in Britain right now. Ludicrous actions in the boardroom have marred what could, and should have been an enjoyable trip into the top flight. From sacking Malky Mackay against the fans wishes, to booing his own team, Chairman Vincent Tan has gained few friends over the last two seasons. It raised several eyebrows the "Baby-faced Assassin" (OGS) agreed to take on the job in the first place, probably not doing his reputation amongst English Football fans much good.
Having done a decent job over in Norway, the Championship could be just what Solksjær needs to mould Cardiff into his own brand of football, away from the media spotlight of England's top flight. It helps that he has a large transfer budget at hand too. If Tan will let him spend it, that is.
Charlton Athletic
Nickname: The Addicks
City: LondonStadium (Capacity): The Valley (27,111)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 16,129
Manager: Bob Peeters
One to watch: Lawrie Wilson
Position finished last season: 18th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Another team deep in trouble. Charlton have floundered over the last couple of seasons amidst cost-cutting efforts. Even terrace hero Chris Powell could not save his own job when push came to shove. There is much discontent at the recently installed Belgian hierarchy; through selling key players and sacking the aforementioned Powell.
Bob Peeters is a former Belgian international, but has no real managerial pedigree to his name - probably not the best idea in England's most demanding league. On current form, Charlton look set to exit through the trapdoor, but given the recent drama, it would not be surprising if an entire boardroom overhaul happens around Christmas.
Derby County
Nickname: The Rams
City: DerbyStadium (Capacity): Pride Park (33,597)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 24,981
Manager: Steve McClaren
One to watch: Will Hughes
Position finished last season: 3rd
Expectations for 2014/15:
Derby have seen a serious regeneration of form since the coming of Steve McClaren, guiding them to a tantalising 3rd place last time out, only to lose in the playoff final; albeit gracefully. Images of Derby, led by Steve, clapping QPR up the stairs of Wembley to collect the playoff trophy will be etched in the mind of Championship fans everywhere. And rightfully so. McClaren is one of the best and most experienced English coaches around, despite an unfortunate term as England boss, and Derby will certainly be scrapping for the league title come May.
Derby fans will be buoyed by the news that key members of the backroom staff have signed new contracts too, including McClaren and goalkeeping coach Eric Steele, formerly of Alex Ferguson's administration at Manchester United - a winner.
Fulham
Nickname: The Cottagers
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): Craven Cottage (25,700)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 24,997
Manager: Felix Magath
One to watch: Ross McCormack
Position finished last season: Relegated from the Premier League in 19th Place.
Expectations for 2014/15:
Felix Magath is probably still left feeling slightly red faced, having claimed that Fulham were in full control in the Premier League and would not go down. Oops. Having shown that he has already underestimated English football once, Magath probably doesn't have too much confidence from his own fans going into one of the world's most demanding leagues. It is critical to understand that you cannot underestimate the Championship. We predict that Magath will be gone by Christmas.
However, buying Ross McCormack is a great piece of business for anybody wanting to exit the Championship in the right direction. Last season's top scorer is a fantastic addition. We predict a Top 10 finish, following an early scare.
Huddersfield
Nickname: The Terriers
City: Huddersfield
Stadium (Capacity): John Smith's Stadium (24,500)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 14,213
Manager: Mark Robbins
One to watch: James Vaughan
Position finished last season: 17th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Huddersfield didn't really trouble the top half of the Championship last season, putting in a string of lackluster performances throughout the season. With key man Adam Clayton on his way up the M1 to Middlesbrough, subject to a medical, Huddersfield could be faced with a long miserable season ahead. We see them just escaping the relegation fight.
Ipswich
Nickname: The Tractor Boys
City: IpswichStadium (Capacity): Portman Road (30,311)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 17,111
Manager: Mick McCarthy
One to watch: David McGoldrick
Position finished last season: 9th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Ipswich under Mick McCarthy are a new club. Injected with new vigour they made a serious push up the league last season. If they can sort their away record out, they could be a real threat to the play-off positions. And all this whilst slashing the wage bill - Mick the savior commeth?
Leeds United
Nickname: The Whites
City: Leeds
Stadium (Capacity): Elland Road (39,460)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 25,089
Manager: Dave Hockaday
One to watch: Matt Smith
Position finished last season: 15th
Expectations for 2014/15:
With the absence of Ross McCormack, expect to see understudy Matt Smith (a former club-mate of mine from Manchester University) lead the line. If Leeds finish anywhere near the top half of the table, it will be a massive victory, given what they are going through.
Middlesbrough
Nickname: Boro
City: Middlesbrough
Stadium (Capacity): 35,000
2013/14 Average Attendance: 15,965
Manager: Aitor Karanka
One to watch: Kiké
Position finished last season: 12th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Retaining the services of George ‘Robocop’ Friend, as well as strong additions including Kiké from Real Murcia, and Nigeria international, Kenneth Omeruo, on loan for another season from Chelsea, are certainly strides in the right direction. If Boro do not make the playoffs at least this season, it can be counted as a major failure…for the fifth season in a row.
Millwall
Nickname: The Lions
City: London
Stadium (Capacity): The Den (20,146)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 11,330
Manager: Ian Holloway
One to watch: Martyn Woolford
Position finished last season: 19th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Millwall are in danger of "doing a Barnsley" - that is to say, languishing around the nether regions of the league, before slowly slipping into the abyss. However, in recruiting Ian Holloway, they have taken on a man who knows his way around the Championship, having guided his last two teams; Blackpool and Crystal Palace to promotion.
Given the lack of quality in the Millwall side, it could take a couple of seasons to really see fortunes reverse, and mid-table might be the best they can hope for.
Given the lack of quality in the Millwall side, it could take a couple of seasons to really see fortunes reverse, and mid-table might be the best they can hope for.
Norwich City
Nickname: The Canaries
City: Norwich
Stadium (Capacity): Carrow Road (27,244)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 26,805
Manager: Neil Adams
One to watch: Lewis Grabban
Position finished last season: Relegated from the Premier League in 18th Place.
Expectations for 2014/15:
Norwich came down with a bit of a wimper from the Premier League, never really showing any sort of signs on the pitch that they still had the potential to cut it at the top level. They do however have a decent squad of players, assuming that no more follow Robert Snodgrass out the door, and with the capture of Lewis Grabban from Bournemouth, they have signed a player of real quality in this division.
Norwich should be well equipped enough to scrape the play-offs. However, as so many sides have done previously, it is easy to underestimate just how hard it is to beat this division.
Norwich should be well equipped enough to scrape the play-offs. However, as so many sides have done previously, it is easy to underestimate just how hard it is to beat this division.
Nottingham Forest
Nickname: ForestCity: Nottingham
Stadium (Capacity): City Ground (30,615)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 22,630
Manager: Stuart Pearce
One to watch: Jamie Paterson
Position finished last season: 11th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Forest fans must have thought they were witnessing a living nightmare during the second half of last season, as they suffered one of the biggest drop offs in form in recent times.
Pearce is not a young man, and has been in management since 2005. Time is running out for him to make a mark on his managerial career. Although, in Forest, he has a club that will provide him full backing and allow him to cut his teeth in a more stable environment than the Manchester City's and England's.
Reading
Nickname: The Royals
City: Reading
Stadium (Capacity): Madejski Stadium (24,161)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 19,174
Manager: Nigel Adkins
One to watch: Jordan Obita
Position finished last season: 7th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Reading have always been there or there abouts, with regards to making the play-offs. In going on the Adkins diet, they have hired a man who knows how to win promotion. He has elevated the fortunes of Scunthorpe and Southampton, no less than four times! A sure-fire formula for Reading being in the top 6, come the end of the season.
They have however, lost the services of last season's top netter in Adam Le Fondre to league rivals Cardiff. With discontent in the boardroom, Royals fans will hope that it doesn't spill onto the pitch and spoil what could be their season.
They have however, lost the services of last season's top netter in Adam Le Fondre to league rivals Cardiff. With discontent in the boardroom, Royals fans will hope that it doesn't spill onto the pitch and spoil what could be their season.
Rotherham United
Nickname: The Millers
City: RotherhamStadium (Capacity): New York Stadium (12,012)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 8,450
Manager: Steve Evans
One to watch: Lee Frecklinton
Position finished last season: Promoted as League 1 Play-off Winners
Expectations for 2014/15:
Rotherham are punching well above their weight with promotion to the Championship coming through the League 1 Play-off Final. That said, they have reinforced their squad with depth in the off-season, when everybody else was laughing at Brazil.
In Steve Evans they have a man who has guided Crawley up the leagues twice and looks a good emerging manager. Even if he is a bit of a nut case. Rotherham will employ a siege mentality in every game they play, with Evans the General, we fancy them to avoid the drop and finish mid-bottom half.
Sheffield Wednesday
Nickname: The Owls
City: Sheffield
Stadium (Capacity): Hillsborough (39,732)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 17,512
Manager: Stuart Gray
One to watch: Chris Maguire
Position finished last season: 16th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Since coming back up into the Championship, Wednesday have done very little to impress and show signs of further progression. They can however take comfort from the fact that, on paper, there are worse teams in the division. However, with a new owner from the Oil & Gas industry, an injection of much needed finance could be at hand, to give one of the league's biggest teams a boost up the division. As ever, there is always an adjustment period, and Wednesday will do well to consolidate lower-mid table this season, before pushing on next year. Anything better than that is a bonus.
Wednesday will look to last year's top scorer Chris Maguire to improve upon his total tally of 10 goals, in a bid to increase productivity at the sharp end, whilst consolidating a decent defence, containing goalkeeper Chris Kirkland.
Watford
Nickname: The Hornets
City: WatfordStadium (Capacity): Vicarage Road (17,477)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 15,514
Manager: Giuseppe Sannino
One to watch: Lewis McGugan
Position finished last season: 13th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Watford just aren't the side that they were under Gianfranco Zola anymore. Had the diminutive Italian not resigned and tried to combat their slight blip, you just wonder what they might have been able to do. Indeed, it was only 30 minutes of extra time in the Play-off Final that seperated them from that dream two seasons ago.
The comings and going of various Italian players over the last couple of seasons probably hasn't helped settle the squad much but with players like Lewis McGugan, Troy Deeney (who looks set to at least start the season at the Hornets), and an experienced manager who looks like he knows what he's doing, they have some quality Championship personnel in the side. We fancy them for about 8th.
Wigan Athletic
Nickname: The Latics
City: Wigan, Greater Manchester
Stadium (Capacity): DW Stadium (25,138)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 15,177
Manager: Uwe Rösler
One to watch: Callum McManaman
Position finished last season: 5th
Expectations for 2014/15:
Ugh, did anybody outside of London want to see QPR defeat everybody's favourite scrappers, Wigan, in the play-off's last season. Although, maybe we could benefit from a season off from Dave Whelan's childhood story.
Either way, fully expect to see Wigan in and around the play-offs at the very least this season, under the strong Teutonic stewardship of Uwe Rösler. This is the year of the German. Could it work in Wigan's favour? It just might.
Wolverhampton Wanderers
Nickname: Wolves
City: Wolverhampton
Stadium (Capacity): Molineux (30,852)
2013/14 Average Attendance: 20,860
Manager: Kenny Jackett
One to watch: Kevin McDonald
Position finished last season: Promoted as League 1 Champions
Expectations for 2014/15:
I don't think anybody could have imagined the capitulation that happened at Molineux over the last three years. However, Kenny Jackett has come in and done a great job at settling Wolves back into a solid state, romping their way to the League 1 title last year. They will of course be denied the freedom of the pitch that they used to great effect last season, and will have a much tougher time in controlling possession in the Championship.
A result this season would be to push for consolidation and possibly mid-table.
The Lone Striker Table Prediction
So there we have it. We predict Derby to continue on the upward trend and win the league. Annoyingly, we think Cardiff will join them in the automatic slots, leaving Boro, Reading, Wigan, and Brighton to scrap it out in the play-offs..which is as much a lottery as anything else once it gets to that stage!
Sorry Brentford, Charlton and Blackpool fans. Due to a number of reasons we can't see you staying in the league come Summer 2015. Brentford and Charlton can take something from the fact that the bookmakers disagree with us, but we both agree on Blackpool finishing rock bottom.
"How The Bookie Sees It" Final League Table
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| Odds sourced from Ladbrokes website 07/08/2014 for market "Championship 2014/15 Outright Winner" |
So that concludes our round up of how we see The Championship panning out this season. With the league being notoriously hard to predict - a fact backed up by the reems of lost accumulators in my Betfair account - do not be surprised if a diamond in the rough emerges, a back to back promotion happens, or a big name falls from grace. Either which way you look at it; it is good to have the most exciting league in the world back with us!
Don't agree? We would love to hear our reader's thoughts and opinions. Write a comment below or fire us a Tweet!
The Championship season officially kicks off tomorrow evening; Friday 8th August, 7:45pm, at Ewood Park, where Blackburn take on Cardiff.
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