AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW: Championship 2026/27 – 1-24 Predictions
The 2026/27 campaign is nearly upon us, and it’s sure to be another exciting season!
Star Sports’ Social Media Manager and resident EFL expert JOE CITRONE has put together his preview for the new Championship campaign, complete with 1-24 predictions and recommended ante-post bets.
1st-2nd place – 🏆 Automatic promotion to the Premier League
3rd-8th place – 🔁 Qualification for the Play-Offs
22nd-24th place – ⬇️ Relegation to League One
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1. West Ham
The amount of quality West Ham have managed to keep hold of is a huge reason why I think they’ll be right up there. Jarrod Bowen remains the talisman, while players like Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Max Kilman and Edson Álvarez are simply too good for this level.
Nuno Espírito Santo has already shown he knows how to get out of the Championship after winning promotion with Wolves, and his experience could prove invaluable.
If they can keep this squad together, stay united and add one or two more players before the window closes, I think they’ll have too much for the rest of the division.
I have West Ham winning the Championship.
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2. Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough were excellent under Kim Hellberg last season and have strengthened in the two areas they needed to most – in goal and up front.
Radek Vitek looks an outstanding addition between the sticks after an impressive loan spell at Bristol City, while Will Lankshear arrives with huge potential after scoring regularly for a struggling Oxford United side last season.
Losing Hayden Hackney is a big blow, but I think Boro have recruited well enough to cope.
I have Middlesbrough winning promotion and returning to the Premier League.
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3. Wolverhampton Wanderers
Much like West Ham, Wolves have managed to keep hold of the core of their Premier League squad, which leaves them in a really strong position heading into the new season.
Cesar Peixoto is a bit of an unknown in the dugout, but the quality at his disposal is obvious. Players like Andre, Raul Jimenez, Santiago Bueno and new signing Kieran Trippier should all be among the best in the division.
If they avoid any major upheaval, I think Wolves will be right in the mix for promotion.
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4. Norwich City
Only Southampton picked up more points than Norwich in the second half of last season, so the Canaries head into the new campaign with real momentum.
They’ve got all the ingredients to be a top side and have strengthened well too, with Andre Brooks looking like a particularly smart addition from Sheffield United.
The biggest factor, though, is Philippe Clement. He’s done a superb job at Carrow Road, and if Norwich can keep hold of him for the whole season, I think they’ll have a great chance of winning promotion.
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5. Burnley
Burnley always seem to find a way in the Championship. No matter the manager or changes to the squad, they’ve consistently challenged at the top end of the division in recent years.
They’ve lost some important players, including Florentino Luís and Jaidon Anthony, which probably leaves them in the weakest position of the three relegated clubs.
Even so, it’s hard to back against Burnley at this level. I still expect them to be right in the promotion mix.
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6. Southampton
They’ll start the season on -4 points after the Spygate scandal, and there remains uncertainty over whether manager Tonda Eckert will face further sanctions.
There were fears of a mass exodus this summer, but that hasn’t happened, and on paper they still have a squad capable of challenging at the top end of the table.
The uncertainty surrounding Eckert is the main reason I haven’t put them any higher. I have them finishing sixth, and if they can navigate the play-offs without spying on anyone this time, they’ll have every chance of going up.
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7. Wrexham
Wrexham have become known for making big signings since their big Hollywood takeover, but it’s been a surprisingly quiet summer so far for Phil Parkinson’s side.
That will probably change before the window shuts, but it also shows they trust the core of the squad they’ve built, and I think that’s the right approach.
They came close to the play-offs last season, and with that settled group, I think they’ll go one better this time around and finish in the newly-expanded play-offs.
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8. Millwall
They enjoyed a fantastic season under Alex Neil last time out and still look strong enough to mount another play-off challenge.
Keeping hold of Femi Azeez is key. If he stays, they’ll have a great chance of kicking on, but losing him would be a major blow.
Billy Mitchell is a loss in midfield, but I really like the signing of Kyrell Lisbie from Peterborough, who adds pace and quality in attack.
The division looks stronger this season, so I can’t see them finishing as high as third again, but I still have them making the play-offs.
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9. Birmingham City
Despite guiding Birmingham City back to the Championship in record-breaking fashion the previous season, Chris Davies found himself under pressure after a campaign that fell short of expectations.
Expectations will be even higher this season, and you do get the feeling that Davies will likely face the chop if they are not met this time around, but Birmingham have recruited sensibly and still have time to strengthen further before the transfer window closes.
I expect Birmingham to be a better side this season, but the Championship is as competitive as ever. For that reason, I have them narrowly missing out on the play-off places, although I don’t think they’ll be far away.
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10. QPR
If you’re looking for a dark horse this season, QPR might just be it. I think they’ve had a really smart, under-the-radar summer.
Pierce Charles looks an excellent loan signing to solve last season’s goalkeeping issues, Glen Kamara adds quality and experience in midfield, while Tariq Lamptey could be one of the best players in the division if he can stay fit.
I don’t quite see them breaking into the play-offs, but I have QPR finishing a very respectable 10th.
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11. Bristol City
They’ve really gone for it this summer, appointing Michael Skubala after his impressive work in League One, while also landing two of the division’s standout forwards in Dom Ballard and Lorent Tolaj. On paper, that’s a frightening strike partnership.
Skubala’s style will probably be a little more direct, but that can be very effective in the Championship.
I still think it’s a big step up for both the manager and parts of the squad, so while I expect a solid season, I just don’t see them making the play-offs.
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12. Swansea City
Losing Ethan Galbraith is a huge blow, but I’m excited to see what Vitor Matos can do with a full pre-season after showing plenty of promise at times last year.
I think Swansea will improve on last season and continue moving in the right direction under Matos.
The Championship looks incredibly competitive, though, and I just can’t see them breaking into the play-off places this time around.
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13. West Bromwich Albion
They were a difficult team to place after such a poor season, but they finished the campaign strongly under an inexperienced manager and still have plenty of quality in the squad.
I think they’ll carry that momentum into the new season. The core of the team remains strong, with Mikey Johnston, Alex Mowatt and Isaac Price all capable of making a difference.
The addition of Jimmy-Jay Morgan also gives them another exciting option in attack, and I think they’ll be much more competitive this time around.
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14. Derby County
This feels a little harsh because Derby impressed me last season and I don’t think they’ve got any worse. It’s just that the Championship looks even stronger this time around.
Making Bobby Clark’s move permanent is excellent business, but I’m not convinced the rest of their signings have improved the squad enough. I still think they need more.
John Eustace is an outstanding manager and gives Derby a real chance, but I just feel there’s a ceiling on what they can achieve with the current squad.
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15. Sheffield United
Sheffield United struggled last season, and with their parachute payments now gone, they’ve been far more limited in the transfer market.
Chris Wilder is a very good manager, but as last season showed, he’s not a miracle worker. The possible departure of Gustavo Hamer would also be a huge blow.
At the moment, I don’t think the Blades have enough to challenge near the top, and I can see them having another disappointing season.
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16. Stoke City
Stoke City have become an established mid-table side in recent years, and despite having Mark Robins at the helm, who has a strong track record at Championship level, I expect a similar outcome this season.
The Potters have made some encouraging additions. Ethan Galbraith looks an excellent signing from Swansea City, while Svante Ingelsson also appears to be a shrewd acquisition from Sheffield Wednesday and should add quality to the midfield.
However, Stoke have promised much and delivered little on so many occasions over the years that it’s difficult to buy into the optimism. Until they prove otherwise, I see another steady but unspectacular campaign ending in 16th place.
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17. Cardiff City
Cardiff City haven’t been as active in the transfer market as I would have expected, although Jack Moylan looks an excellent addition after arriving from Lincoln City.
On paper, they don’t appear significantly stronger than the side that was relegated from the Championship two years ago, but I have a great deal of faith in manager Brian Barry-Murphy.
I don’t think Cardiff will enjoy a spectacular season, but I believe they’ll have enough about them to avoid an immediate return to League One and secure Championship survival.
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18. Preston North End
They’ve broken their transfer record to sign Alfie Devine, but losing captain Ben Whiteman to Wrexham is a huge blow and could stop them pushing any higher up the table.
Paul Heckingbottom isn’t the most exciting manager, but he knows this level and should have enough to steer them clear of trouble.
I think it’ll be another season of hovering around the bottom half rather than making any real progress.
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19. Watford
The chaotic way Watford is run always feels like it’s one bad spell away from catching up with them, and I think this could be the season they’re dragged into trouble.
Alessio Dionisi is the latest man in the Vicarage Road dugout, but given Watford’s track record, he could well be gone by the time this goes live on the Star Sports website.
I don’t have the Hornets going down, but I do think they’re in for another disappointing season, with another finish towards the bottom end of the table.
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20. Portsmouth
After relying on Colby Bishop for so long, Portsmouth have finally brought in another striker, with Marko Milovanovic arriving to strengthen their attack.
Beyond that, though, I’m not sure the squad has improved much from last season. They’ll still be heavily reliant on Josh Murphy staying fit and John Mousinho getting the very best out of the players he has.
I think Portsmouth will do enough to stay up, but it could be another long season battling against relegation at Fratton Park.
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21. Charlton Athletic
It was a difficult campaign at times last season, but Nathan Jones ultimately guided Charlton Athletic to Championship survival. There was a clear need to strengthen the squad this summer, but with such a bloated group of players, recruitment hasn’t progressed in the way I expected.
Millenic Alli has arrived from Luton Town and should add another attacking option, but Charlton still have a squad of more than 30 players. Until they move a number of those on, it will be difficult to complete the overhaul needed to raise the overall quality of the team.
I believe Jones has the drive and energy to keep Charlton clear of the bottom three once again, but I expect another season spent battling to avoid relegation.
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22. Blackburn Rovers
I’m really concerned about Blackburn this season. They only just stayed up last year, and if anything, the squad looks weaker than it did then.
Tony Mowbray is a sensible appointment, but it doesn’t feel particularly inspiring and hasn’t really lifted the mood around the club.
With only two signings so far, I don’t think they’ve done enough to improve.
I have Blackburn finishing in the relegation places.
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23. Bolton Wanderers
There was plenty of optimism around Bolton after promotion from League One, especially following their impressive play-off final win over Stockport.
However, I haven’t been blown away by their summer business, and Steven Schumacher has looked visibly frustrated at times. I’m not sure they’re much stronger than they were at the end of last season.
The Championship is an unforgiving division, and if you don’t improve, you can quickly get left behind. I think Bolton could find it a tough campaign.
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24. Lincoln City
Sorry, Lincoln fans, but I have you finishing bottom of the Championship.
I don’t usually put the favourites for relegation in last place, but everything points towards an immediate return to League One. Losing their manager, replacing him with an inexperienced management team, and the departure of Jack Moylan are all significant blows.
Lincoln were already facing an uphill battle as one of the smaller clubs in the division, and I think this season will just prove a step too far.
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