Writers from all 24 Championship clubs prepare their predictions for the 2024/25 season
Blackburn Rovers
Elliott Jackson, The Lancashire Telegraph
Promoted (first two): Leeds United, Luton Town
Final (and winners): Burnley, Middlesbrough (winners), Sheffield United, Coventry City
Relegation: Watford, Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle
Surprise Package: Wednesday
How would you rate Rover’s work over the summer? Summer in Blackburn was like London buses. They waited until July 30 to announce their first summer signing, then added three more this week. At the time of writing Sam Szmodics is a Blackburn Rovers player but is expected to join Ipswich Town. That leaves a big hole for Rovers to fill.
Venky’s investment was minimal despite the money returned for Adam Wharton in January. With that in mind, it’s hard to know exactly how much will be reinvested. John Eustace is a big plus. He is popular among players and adapts to the opponent. That means Rovers should be pretty tough to beat, even if they lack the firepower or star quality to win regularly with their current squad.
Where will they end up? 18. but it all depends on how the window ends
Bristol City
Dan Hargraves, Bristol Live
Promoted (first two): Leeds United, Burnley
Playoffs (and winners): Luton Town, Middlesbrough, Norwich City (winners), Sheffield United
Relegation: Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Portsmouth
Surprise package: Sheffield Wednesday
How would you rate Robin’s work over the summer? Given that Bristol City had actually done part of their business six months earlier by signing Max Bird, Josh Stokes and Adam Murphy in January and then sending them back to Derby County and Aldershot Town respectively on loan for the rest of the campaign, it seems , as if there are more new arrivals than the actual number of fresh faces that have come through the HPC doors since the summer window opened.
Only three teams have conceded fewer goals than City, who conceded 51 goals in the last term of the Championship, but the Robins were 15th with 53 goals scored. It was clear where they needed to do their work this summer.
Only three teams have conceded fewer goals than City, who conceded 51 goals in the last term of the Championship, but the Robins were 15th with 53 goals scored. It was clear where they needed to do their work this summer.
With the signings of 4ft Fally Mayulu from Rapid Wien and the quick and powerful Sinclair Armstrong from QPR, Liam Manning now has a completely fresh identity with many different profiles, which is what the City head coach requested last time. season. In addition, the arrival of winger Yu Hirakawa, initially on loan from Japanese side Machida Zelvia, reflects a change in strategy for the BS3 recruiting team as their scouting network extends to the other side of the planet.
Another number 10 (cough Scott Twine cough) feels like the final piece of the puzzle for the Robins and would certainly make this a productive transfer window. As far as prospects go, 11th was a solid place for Manning to take the job in November, and the question he now faces is whether he can be the long-awaited man to take this club to striking distance, or even final. after a set of finishes in the middle of the table. Progressing to eleventh place is certainly possible, but creeping into the top six seems too difficult a task at the moment. If they are in the conversation for a boost late in the campaign, I think most supporters will be happy.
Where will they end up? 9
Burnley
Matt Scrafton, Burnley Express
Promoted (top two): Burnley, Leeds United
Playoffs (and winners): Luton Town, West Brom (winners), Sheffield United, Middlesbrough
Relegation: Millwall, Blackburn Rovers, Plymouth Argyle
Surprise package: Sheffield Wednesday
How would you rate Claret’s summer work? Burnley have such strength in depth for this level that anything short of automatic promotion would be considered a disappointment. They have bolstered areas that needed strengthening with a handful of shrewd signings, but with 39 players remaining on their books, most of their work between now and the transfer deadline will surely consist of moving players around.
Where will they end up? 1
Cardiff City
Glen Williams, Wales online
Promoted (first two): Leeds United, Burnley
Playoffs (and winners): Norwich City (winners), Sheffield United, Sunderland, Middlesbrough
Relegation: Oxford United, Plymouth Argyle, Millwall
Surprise package: Portsmouth
How would you rate Bluebird’s performance over the summer? It’s been a steady summer of transfers for Cardiff, who go into the season with the same manager they started the last one with for the first time since promotion to the Premier League under Neil Warnock in 2017/18.
It all depends on the goal. Cardiff struggle to score goals from open play but there have been signs of improvement in their style of play in pre-season. They have signed Wilfried Kanga on loan from Hertha BSC and will carry the burden of goalscoring expectations, along with new boys Chris Willock and Anwar El Ghazi. If Aaron Ramsey can stay fit, I’d expect Cardiff to improve on last year’s 12th place finish – although the bookies seem to have them as relegation fodder, oddly enough!
Where will they end up? 9
Coventry City
Andy Turner, Coventry Telegraph/CoventryLive
Promoted (first two): Burnley, Luton