EFL Predictions 24/25: Championship
English professional football returns this week with the EFL getting underway on Friday. Tiers two through four kick off their campaigns as teams up and down the country look to navigate our wonderful football pyramid, hopefully going in the right direction.
Arguably the maddest league in the world, the Championship is incredibly open in 2024/25 as the likes of Leeds United, Norwich City and Burnley look to get themselves into the so-called promise land of the Premier League.
At the other end, new boys Portsmouth, Oxford United and Derby County look to cement their place in the division, if not pull off an Ipswich Town this season. The likes of QPR, Sheffield Wednesday and Plymouth will be looking to have less stressful campaigns when it comes to avoiding that drop.
Here are my picks for the automatic promotion spots, play-offs and the relegation bottom three.
The Automatic Promotion Places
1. Leeds United
2. Burnley
Leeds United came agonizingly close to getting straight back to the top-flight last year, as their play-off curse continued with them losing out to Southampton in the final. This year, I have the Lilywhites taking the top spot as they have without doubt, the best squad in the league. Manager, Daniel Farke is known for getting promotions in this league, he has two automatics with Norwich, his pedigree, combined with the squad, means that baring an almighty Leeds like moment, the West Yorkshire club should secure promotion.
Leeds ownership has made no secret that they have to sell to strengthen, but despite losing Player of the Season, Crysencio Summerville and cult here, Archie Gray, Farke and co have managed to be smart, in keeping the services of the team’s core and recruiting smartly. Bringing in Jayden Bogle, to fill out the right side of that defence, Joe Rothwell is a stalwart at this level, he replaces Glen Kamara, and securing the services of Joe Rodon full-time, integral last season, and will be again this campaign. Look out for youngster Mateo Joseph to bag a serious number of goals this season too, could be a real x-factor for the team.
Burnley have made a number of changes since 2023-24, but still have a very good squad at this level, and with new manager, Scott Parker, they have a hungry manager who knows this level. The squad itself is rather overcrowded but contains the majority of the team Vincent Kompany used to run away with the league title, two seasons ago.
The Lancashire side have also continued they’re continental recruitment, spending a strong amount on youthful players from abroad. Again, a formula that worked so well two seasons ago. It’s a Burnley side that could go either way, but no matter, you cannot deny the strength of the squad. Players like Anass Zaroury, Manuel Benson, Sander Berge will all excel, add to them the experience of Jay Rodriguez, Josh Brownhill and Vaclav Hladky, who played every game for Ipswich Town last year, it would be hard for this team not to succeed.
The Play-Offs
3. Coventry City
4. Luton Town
5. Middlesbrough
6. West Bromwich Albion
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I have Coventry City leading the play-off push after falling off last season. The squad itself is more than capable of getting to this level, with a strong core and a top manager in Mark Robins, the Sky Blues have to be targeting another trip to Wembley, id not going one better. Robin’s side have been incredible with replacing outgoing players, with Ellis Simms and Haji Wright filling the boots of superstar Viktor Gyokeres last season, managing 29 Championship goals between them. The additions of Jack Rudoni and Peterborough star, Ephron Mason-Clark, will more than make up for the loss of Callum O’Hare, in the creative forward areas.
Rob Edward’s Luton Town come back down in good stead, having spent conservatively and continuing to build a squad with continuity at the forefront. Holding onto the majority of the core strength (at the time of writing), Luton have a contingent of talent at this level, with Tahith Chong, Andros Townsend and Mads Anderson adding to that after staying following the team’s relegation. The squad itself, has shown it is more than good enough, having shocked the world two years ago, the question is, was that a fluke, or are they the real deal? Luton are stronger than their last promotion campaign, but the Championship is ruthless, and anything can happen, I have them here based on squad and play style, but one to watch.
I believe Michael Carrick’s Middlesbrough return the play-off make up this season following a strong end to their last campaign. The team has recruited smartly over the summer, focusing on keeping certain players and acting on adding experience, adding former loanee, Luke Ayling. The big addition is US midfielder Aiden Morris, who has been running the show for MLS side, Columbus Crew, for the last couple of years. At 22, he has the tendency to really take control of a midfield, being aggressive and a real ball winner. Potentially the real heir to Jonny Howson’s spot and definitely a player who can elevate this Middlesbrough squad. A really strong squad, with an innovative manager, their form continues, and they make the play-offs.
West Bromwich Albion are my wild card for the play-off selections. Carlos Corberan’s team struggled to truly put it all together last year, but if the side can be fully healthy, he can lead them to a chance at promotion. As a whole, it is an experienced squad that anyone would rank as a top half side. The additions of Joe Wildsmith, Paddy McNair and Devante Cole add real experience at this level, and could be key to settling a side that really became ‘chop and change’ last year. The big x-factor for West Brom is Corberan himself, like I said the squad is good enough to be there, or there abouts, it will be up to him to really make it click.
The Relegations Zone
22. Preston North End
23. Derby County
24. Watford
Preston North End fall into the relegation zone this season. I had a number of teams that I felt could fall into this position, such as Plymouth Argyle and Millwall, but I settled on Preston in the end, putting it down to their stagnant attitude in the market and their shocking form in the second half of last season. Whilst the core of the squad is Championship level side, they lack goals and stability going forward. Will Keane was the sides top scorer with 13 last year, with the closest behind being Duane Holmes with three, to add to this Preston failed to score in their last five games of that season. Whilst we know that the budget has always been small in this division the lack of scorers, combined with losing Alan Browne and the ever-changing attitude to manager Ryan Lowe, leads me to believe that Preston’s time might be up.
I believe Paul Warne fails to keep a team in the division once again, as Derby County head straight back down to League One. Whilst the teams summer business is not bad, by any stretch, it does not feel enough top keep the side up. The loss of Max Bird has left a void that has yet to be truly filled, ahead of that Derby really lacks a true goalscorer. James Collins is at an age where he can’t be expected to lead the line and summer addition, Jerry Yates has only hit double figures at this level once. There are some players that do belong at this level, like Eiran Cashin, Kane Wilson and Callum Elder, but the squad is below par, not to mention, they don’t yet have a starting goalkeeper.
Watford could be in big trouble this year, a weak squad, a young manager, and basically no funds, if any team could spiral down, it could be the Hornets. Losing Ismael Kone and replacing him with a 34-year-old Moussa Sissoko could be the story of the season for them, it’s just backwards. From the outside, it does look as though manager, Tom Cleverly has been thrown into the deep end here, as the owners continue to cut costs, leaving fans to continue to ask, what happened to the Premier League money? A weak team, with a lack of guidance, it just does not look good for Watford.
Some other teams worthy of note; Oxford United have recruited incredibly well with Louie Sibley, Matt Phillips, Peter Kioso and Will Vaulks all coming into a team that will be able to play an expansive version of Des Buckingham’s football. Millwall have had a turbulent summer but again recruited well, signing lower league superstar, Macauley Langstaff, despite him not fitting his style, Neil Harris will do his best once again, they could go either way, push for the play-offs or head down. Finally, the two Sheffield sides, Wednesday could end up a significant amount higher, having kept hold of manager Danny Rohl and as for United, they could be in for a more difficult year, starting on minus two points. Despite having a lot of quality within their squad, they lack depth throughout, they will no doubt be fine, but might struggle to push at the top as the season goes on.
