2017/18 Championship Predictions: Jamie

This is what will happen in the Championship this season, I take no responsibility when you lose money betting on these predictions.

Aston Villa have to be the overall favourites. They seem to have recruited some decent players and have a manager well versed in escaping the chaos of the Championship.

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I think they could even win it. I really fancy Fulham after an impressive, and unexpected by me at least, promotion push last season. Keeping that lad who scored a load of goals last season will be important, and having managed that so far I would imagine it will be doable.

There are a number of teams I can see sneaking in here. I expect Sheffield Wednesday to be competitive again. I also think that Middlesborough and Hull City will be in with a good chance of getting into the top six having dropped out of the Premier League. I do fancy Brentford to have a good season, I have very little to base this on but I don’t really have a lot to base most things I say on so no change here.

I expect Reading and Norwich City to be competitive this season, and fully expect a team I haven’t even thought of to get in there. I mean I had Fulham down for relegation last season so what the hell do I know?

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I think Burton Albion will be one season wonders in the Championship. I also expect Barnsley to struggle this season from a bad case of second season syndrome. I expect Bolton Wanderers to be right down there, though we may just scrape by.

I expect Bristol City, Sheffield United and Millwall to spend at least part of the season down there. But I think if the final relegation spot does not go to us it will go to a team I have not mentioned here. A cop out you may say, and you would be right, but I don’t care.

As above, in or around the relegation zone. Anything above that would be a monumental achievement.

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I expect Jonathan Kodjia to be amongst the goals. If he starts regularly for Villa and they do push for the title I can see him being very effective. His goals were hugely valuable for Villa last season, although I believe he is an injury concern.

Beyond that Chris Wood has been highly efficient in from of goal recently. I could also see one of Middlesborough trio Patrick Bamford, Britt Assombalonga and Rudy Gestede being up there if he circumstances are right.

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Gary Madine scores a hat-trick against Sheffield Wednesday to set them on course to finishing below Sheffield United on their return to the Championship.