Predicting the Championship table: 24/25 edition
Welcome back to my blog, and today we will be predicting how the Championship will pan out and who will finish where. Apologies for the late release (especially since the Championship started yesterday) but at least now I have something more than just transfers and intuition to base my predictions off.
24. Derby County
Derby County were pretty exceptional last season in League One, but I feel like they simply don’t have the squad or manager to keep them up this time. I’m sure a relegation will be devastating for the Derby County faithful, but it could be a wake-up call for the Derby County board to invest in better players and a marquee coach.
23. QPR
QPR have been a staple in the Championship for years now, but I think this is the year they finally bite the dust and go down. They were pretty abysmal last season but things could get worse, as a mediocre squad, star midfielder Ilias Chair embroiled in legal issues and an inexperienced manager will all combine to confine them to League One.
22. Sheffield United
Now, I know I predicted something similar last year for Leeds United and it spectacularly backfired.
21. Stoke City
Stoke City have been hovering around the relegation zone in recent years, and I think they will be dangerously close to entering it this season. However, some January signings and a new manager like a sacked Chris Wilder will swoop in and save the Potters.
20. Oxford United
Oxford United are finally in the Championship, and like Plymouth Argyle, they will somehow manage to save their arses from a dreadful relegation, staying up by a few points to live another day in England’s second division.
19. Hull City
Hull City had an exceptional campaign last season, almost finishing in the play-off spots. However, I think this season it all goes wrong as they drop back down to 19th. Numerous key players like Tufan and Carvalho have left, and they will fail to replace the quality these two provided.
18. Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday should have a decent campaign, finishing two places above last year to make steady improvement and warrant a squad make-over next summer.
17. Swansea
Swansea did average last season, but I think heightened competition for mid-table spots + a sub-par squad will result in them finishing a measly 17th.
16. Plymouth Argyle
Many people seem to lack faith in Wayne Rooney after his Birmingham nightmare, but I think he will prove the haters wrong by guiding this decent Plymouth side to a comfortable 16th.
15. Watford
Watford had a horrific season last year by their high standards, and I foresee much of the same this season as they finish a disappointing 15th after they shuffle through managers like a pack of cards as per usual.
14. Bristol City
Bristol City have been flitting in between almost making the top 10 to mid-table mediocrity, and this year i foresee them finishing 14th for another middling season.
13. Cardiff City
Cardiff City finished quite decently last season in the Championship, and I think they will finish a decent 13th this season despite their squad looking slightly depleted.
12. Norwich City
Norwich City ruthlessly sacked David Wagner last season, and I think this will cost them dearly this season. Their current manager will fail to get the best out of this team and will be sacked before someone like Sam Allardyce will guide them to a boring and disappointing 12th.
11. Preston North End
Preston North End were quite decent last season, and I can see them finishing yet another season around the top 10. They have an adequate squad who could break into the top 10 if everything clicks in their favour.
10. Portsmouth
Portsmouth have just been newly promoted, but I can sense them returning to the Prem very soon. They will finish an impressive 10th this season to establish a solid base to build upon next season and get promoted within the next 3 years.
9. Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn are currently top of the league after their win, and I think they continue their resurgence with a tidy top 10 finish after last year’s horror show.
8. Milwall
Milwall are a decent side with some good players, and everyone thinks they got a good chance of promotion this season. However, I think they still are missing that star player to drag them into the playoff spots or even automatic promotion. So, until they find their marquee signing, I have to put them just below the play-off spots.
7. Coventry City
A generous amount of fans believe the Sky Blues will make it to the play-offs after they reached the FA Cup semis last season. However, I think they will miss star player Callum O’Hare and his departure will ultimately lead to them cruelly missing the play-offs with a heart-wrenching 7th.
6. Sunderland
Sunderland had a subpar season last season, but I think their young squad and manager will be sufficient to get them to 6th place and potential promotion through the play-offs.
5. Burnley
Not many believe Burnley will win the Championship, and I agree. I think they will do well under Scott Parker, but a bad patch of form in early 2025 will result in a 5th place finish, followed by a victorious play-off campaign to secure Parker’s 3rd promotion from the Championship, a truly astonishing statistic considering how his last few jobs have ended.
4. Middlesborough
Michael Carrick and the Lions will once again be too close yet too far to promotion as they secure an impressive 4th to get to the play-offs, but lose to Burnley in the play-off semis.
3. Leeds United
I predict a carbon copy of a season for Leeds United this year, as Daniel Farke will lead them to a cool 3rd place finish and a play-off final, yet they will stumble at the last hurdle to face yet another cruel campaign in the second division.
2. West Brom
I tipped West Brom to win the league last season, but this year I am being more pragmatic and tipping them to finish 2nd to secure automatic promotion. I think Carlos Coberan is a talented manager, and he has a good squad who will pip Leeds United to automatic promotion on the last match day.
1. Luton Town
And finally, I firmly believe the Hatters will win the Championship this season under Rob Edwards. Luton have done well to keep their tactically adept manager Rob Edwards at the helm, as well as keep the core of the team intact. They will miss Lokonga and Barkley in midfield, but will still be strong enough to blow past West Brom and Leeds to clinch a maiden title.
With that, that’s it for this article. Luton Town, West Brom and Burnley will attain promotion while Derby County, QPR and Sheffield United will wallow in misery after facing relegation. Do let me know which picks you agree or disagree with, and till my next article, adios!
