I'm gonna plumb for Boro. With Mowbray at the helm and the way they finished the season i reckon they'll be a force. Forest to finish second and burnley to win the play offs. Cardiff, leeds and millwall to get relegated ( if only ) .....
I'll go Birmingham and Boro for auto's with West Ham, Forest, Leeds and the loser of Swansea/Reading in the play offs.
It's a bit like making blind bets on a game of poker... We don't even know all the teams competing yet, I'll go for Swansea or Reading!
It's really hard to actually give a monkeys, but I'll go for Blackpool and Forest for the automatics, with Brighton beating Birmingham in the play-off.
I think Brighton will do well to finish mid-table, they've let Murray go because he wouldn't stay on their wages. Poyet will be tested, assuming he stays there!
Heart says Watford with Blackpool, Southampton, Burnley and Brighton somewhere in the mix. Head says Birmingham, with Forest, Ipswich, Swansea/Reading, Leeds and Millwall contending... but I'm in denial!
Here's a link to the odds for next seasons Championship (includes both Reading and Swansea) http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/championship/next-season Interesting to see two of the "big" clubs from this season not really fancied. Cardiff 14/1 and placed as just scrapping into the playoffs behind West Ham, Birmingham, Leicester, M'Boro and Forest. Reading are also placed ahead of them but obviously might not be there. Leeds are 20/1 and expected to finish mid table
Cardiff to lead the Championship for the first half of the season, be in second place up until the last week, drop down to 3rd in the last game of the season, draw away in the first playoff game and lose the second 0-3. Dave Jones to demmand more money to make it up in 2012-13...... Oh, hang on......
West Ham odds will change once they appoint new Manager. They may end up with best stadium in Division 2.