It might not feel like it, but it’s been two months since the conclusion of the football season, which saw Fulham beat Aston Villa at Wembley and gain promotion to the Premier League. While Aston Villa might not be promotion contenders again this season, the three relegated Premier League clubs will all be hoping to bounce back, while there are will also be some other sides who’ll be hoping to reach the top-flight of English football this season.
Let’s have a look at some of the promotion contenders ahead of the upcoming Championship season.
Leeds
Last season’s finish: 13th
Star Player: Pablo Hernandez
Key Signing: Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds had a terrific start last season and were top of the league come the end of September. It didn’t last long though as they ended up sacking two managers and finishing 13th at the end of the season. However, it’s all change this season and Marcelo Bielsa is now tasked with the role of getting Leeds back into the Premier League after a 15-year hiatus. Along with Bielsa, they’ve made some good signings, with two Chelsea youngsters in Jamal Blackman and Lewis Baker arriving, alongside Barry Douglas who had an excellent season in the Championship with Wolves last season. Leeds could be serious dark horses to gain promotion if Bielsa can get his ideas across and if his signings work out.
Promotion Odds: 15/4
Middlesbrough
Last season’s finish: 5th
Star Player: Adama Traore
Key Signing: Aden Flint
Middlesbrough made the play-off semi-finals last time around, but in reality, their season was disappointing and after spending big last summer, they failed to return to the Premier League. By Christmas, ‘Boro were mid-table and Tony Pulis replaced Garry Monk as manager. Everyone knows what Pulis brings to a football club and that’s solidity, a strong defence and not much in terms of flair. Aden Flint is a good signing in defence, while Adama Traore will have to provide the flair and goals. They’re third favourite to be promoted, behind Stoke and West Brom, but they’re not in the top two clubs in the Championship, which makes their promotion looking likely to come through the play-offs
Promotion Odds: 3/1
Nottingham Forest
Last season’s finish: 17th
Star Player: Ben Osborn
Key Signing: Joao Carvalho
There’s been plenty of change for Aitor Karanka and Nottingham Forest this summer, with the club now involved in what will hopefully turn out to be a promotion push for them. Fans will be hoping that the signing of Benfica’s Joao Carvalho will prove to be money well spent, while Lewis Grabban could also prove to be a shrewd purchase from Bournemouth. Forest had a miserable season as they were embroiled in a relegation scrap, although they did knock Arsenal out of the FA Cup. Karanka doesn’t play exciting football, but he’s proven in the past that he’s capable of getting a team out of the division.
Promotion Odds: 16/5
Sheffield United
Last season’s finish: 10th
Star Player: John Fleck
Key Signing: John Egan
The Blades were among the top-runners in the Championship last season, but fell just short of qualifying for the play-offs. Their dominance over rivals Sheffield Wednesday was a plus point for their season, while they also showed excellent spirit in achieving a top-half finish in their first campaign back in the Championship after being promoted from League One. Their team is ageing though and having a strong season this time around isn’t guaranteed at all. Chris Wilder is an excellent manager though and it would be no surprise to see them in the play-off chase, a finish in the automatic qualifying places seems beyond them though.
Promotion Odds: 8/1
Stoke City
Last season’s finish: 19th (in Premier League)
Star Player: Joe Allen
Key Signing: Tom Ince
Stoke had a shocking final season in the Premier League, with dressing room discord going along with the sacking of two managers. They played some dire football at times too and conceded the joint-most goals in the division. They lost 19 league matches and frankly deserve to have been relegated at the end of the campaign. Some of the troublemakers in the squad have since left, while their recruitment has been good with proven Championship players in Tom Ince and James McClean arriving. Player acquisition has been good, but arguably their best bit of recruitment has come in the form of manager Gary Rowett, who’s got a proven track record in the Championship and knows how to get teams into the top half.
Promotion Odds: 8/5
West Bromwich Albion
Last season’s finish: 20th (in Premier League)
Star Player: Oliver Burke
Key Signing: Sam Johnstone
West Brom picked up some form in the final month of last season, but their fate was sealed long before that. They started off well under Tony Pulis, but he was then sacked, and Alan Pardew was a disastrous appointment, as the Baggies didn’t win a league match for over five months. Darren Morris restored some faith at the Hawthorns and has since been given the permanent managerial role and has recruited well, with both Sam Johnstone and Kyle Bartley joining the club. They’re likely to lose a few to Premier League suitors, but if they can replicate their form from the last month of last season, then there won’t be many Championship teams able to stop them.
Promotion Odds: 5/2