:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/60606317/952824896.jpg.0.jpg)
As the Championship continues its transition to being a mini Premier League there will be plenty of competition at the top of the league and plenty of rubbish at the bottom.
Champions
There will be plenty of competition from the established Premier League teams who have dropped down along with the financially powerful Premier League teams in waiting.
Of the relegated sides I think Stoke City are most likely to raise a serious challenge. Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and Derby County are then widely tipped to compete at the top. It might be a little early for new money bags Forest and Derby always choke. Leeds had a good start to last season before running out of steam but maybe they can hang on in there this time?
That is what I am going with at least.
Runners up
Stoke will have enough to bounce straight back, unfortunately. Their squad still looks fairly good, albeit their website still says they own Xherdan Shaqiri.
Play-Offs
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11839557/904497470.jpg.jpg)
West Bromwich Albion will get themselves in there. Middlesbrough and Aston Villa will be there or there abouts again most likely. The unexpected team in there this season will be Brentford. I said this last year but I don’t think they will replicate their poor start and this time they will have a shot at the big time.
Relegated
If anyone finishes below us this season then at this point I would be embarrassed for them. If we can pull together a full squad then maybe my view will change and I will be proved wrong. Rotherham United will also be down there. There will be another few teams down there again this season. I am going to say Reading will complete the set.
Where will Bolton Wanderers finish?
Bottom. 21st again would be an outstanding achievement.
League Top Scorer
:format(webp):no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/11839561/154445219.jpg.jpg)
Benik Afobe. He might have had the strangest transfer window yet this year with Wolverhampton Wanderers signing him and then loaning him out with an obligation to purchase to Stoke City. But the man is quality in this league, just a shame the exception was with us.
Mad Random Event Prediction
Bolton Wanderers to win a football match within the first two months of a Championship season for once.