The 2024-25 English Football League (EFL) Championship is set to kick off this weekend, with 24 teams vying for promotion to the Premier League. Our EFL experts have weighed in on the key questions facing the division, from who will top the table to which teams will be relegated.
Gregg Evans predicts Ipswich Town will dominate the season, citing their strong squad and experienced manager Kieran McKenna. Richard Sutcliffe shares Evans’ optimism, adding that Birmingham City could challenge for second place. Philip Buckingham, however, cautions against underestimating Southampton, who possess a talented young spine despite recent Premier League struggles.
As for relegation, our experts identify Sheffield Wednesday as likely candidates to drop down to League One due to off-field issues and questionable recruitment decisions. Evans also predicts Norwich City, Oxford United, and West Bromwich Albion will struggle to stay up.
Mid-table Wrexham is expected to make a decent impression under new manager Phil Parkinson, while Birmingham City’s high spending and momentum could propel them towards a play-off spot. Charlton Athletic, meanwhile, has strengthened their squad but may still face challenges in the division.
Tommy Doyle of Birmingham City, Louie Barry of Sheffield United, Jack Clarke of Ipswich Town, and Ronnie Edwards of Southampton are among the players expected to shine this season.
The expert consensus also identifies several standout fixtures, including tonight’s electric encounter between newly promoted Birmingham City and top-seeded Ipswich Town.
Will Ipswich dominate the Championship? Will Wrexham continue their fairy tale run? And which team will attract Premier League interest in Chris Davies or Liam Manning? Our EFL experts have got you covered for all the latest news, analysis, and predictions from the 2024-25 English Football League Championship.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6538412/2025/08/08/championship-season-predictions-wrexham-relegation-bounce-back