Only an idiot would predict what's going to happen in the Championship this season.
With that in mind, here are my predictions for the Championship this season:
Champions: West Ham
With the players that the Hammers had last season, it was nothing short of a travesty that they ended rock bottom of the Premiership table. Under different circumstances, with a different manager and different chairmen, they would have finished comfortably mid-table. Ultimately, if things aren't right upstairs, it becomes harder to succeed on the pitch. You get the feeling that with Sam Allardyce in charge, there will be better communication at the club, and in Allardyce, they've got an experienced and tactically astute manager. He'll be keen to build a team, and grind out results where necessary.
They've also got some decent players; who stays and who goes is another matter, but you'd expect their squad to be strong at the end of August. They possess several talented young stars: James Tomkins and Jack Collison should be playing Premiership football, whilst Zavon Hines, Freddie Sears and Junior Stanislas have all got bright futures. Throw in the experience of Rob Green, new signing Abdoulaye Faye, and possibly Scott Parker (surely someone will snap him up though?), and it's a side far too good for the Championship.
And Kevin Nolan will be the league's best player this season.
STAR PLAYER: Kevin Nolan
ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 4/1 Favourites
2nd Place: Leicester
Only high expectations can stop Sven's Leicester City from getting back to the top tier this season. They've been busy this summer – nine additions to the squad, and they're not done yet, with the former England boss still targeting a striker. With Premiership experience from the likes of Michael Johnson (on loan from Man City), David Nugent (England's most prolific goalscorer – a goal a game!) and Paul Konchesky, you'd have to rate their chances of promotion pretty highly.
STAR PLAYER: Andy King
ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 4/1 Favourites
Play-offs:
Nottingham Forest
Forest always seem to come close, and this year I fancy them to come close once again. They decided to part company will Billy Davies, and have brought in Steve McClaren to do what Davies couldn't. I think it's a shrewd decision from the chairman Nigel Doughty – the side needed freshening up, and the experience of McClaren could prove invaluable. He's still a man looking to rebuild his reputation, and I think he'll be able to get the best out of his players.
The former England and Middlesbrough boss is frustrated with the lack of signings over the summer, but there's still plenty of class, especially with the addition of Andy Reid, George Boateng, and Jonathan Greening. And if Lewis McGugan continues his form from last season, McClaren could have a successful first season as Forest manager.
STAR PLAYER: Lewis McGugan
ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 14/1
Blackpool
The great entertainers of last year's Premiership season: it may have been an ultimately unsuccessful campaign, but Ian Holloway gained many admirers for his side's attacking style of play, and I don't see that changing this season. The loss of Charlie Adam to Liverpool was inevitable after a brilliant season, but his replacement Barry Ferguson brings plenty of experience and quality. Holloway has also signed Kevin Phillips from Birmingham, and you feel that Blackpool's style of play will suit the former Sunderland striker. I wouldn't be surprised to see him scoring 20+ goals, and that will go a long way in helping the Seasiders back to the top tier.
STAR PLAYER: Matt Phillips
ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 16/1
Burnley
At just 33 years of age, Burnley boss Eddie Howe has impressed many in his short managerial career. Taking his old side Bournemouth from League Two to the summit of League One earned him many admirers, including the Clarets, who hired him in January of this year to replace Brian Laws. Last season's 8th placed finish was satisfactory, but it was hard to judge Howe's efforts, as it was very much an inherited squad. He has a small squad of players to work with, but with the addition of two or three players, I believe the former Cherries boss can add to his already glowing reputation.
STAR PLAYER: Keith Treacy
ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 25/1
Brighton
I predict this as much in hope as I do in expectation. It's a fantastic time to be involved with the club: glorious new stadium, record transfers, top manager, great style of football etc. So the place is buzzing, and so it should be. Last season, the Seagulls beat two Championship sides on their FA Cup run, showing that they are more than capable of competing at this level. However, this is set to be one of toughest Championship seasons ever, with so many big clubs looking for a top 6 place. Brighton have a lot of quality in the attacking areas, and if Gus can get the best out of the likes of Kazenga Lua Lua and Craig Mackail-Smith, they could do a Norwich with back-to-back promotions.
STAR PLAYER: Kazenga Lua Lua
ODDS TO WIN CHAMPIONSHIP: 18/1
Who'll get the goals??
If Shane Long stays in the league, he'll be up there on the top scorers list. Nicky Maynard will hit the back of the net for whoever he's playing for this season, whilst Brighton's record signing Craig Mackail-Smith scored 35 times in League One for Peterborough last season, and will want to prove himself at a higher level.
There's also a lot of former Premiership players around this season, and you'd expect the West Ham strikers to do well: Carlton Cole, Frederic Piquionne and Kevin Nolan should score plenty. Cardiff have got goals in them as well, with Robbie Earnshaw returning to his old club, and Ipswich's new striker Michael Chopra is always a threat.
THREE UP, THREE DOWN...
THREE UP: West Ham, Leicester, Forest
THREE DOWN: Coventry, Barnsley, Doncaster
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