Here we go…… August is almost upon us and the familiar fun/heartache/teethgrinding/angst starts soon You can now predict how the table will look at the end of our return to the Championship season from the list below: The Rules: Post your predicted end of season league table. Make sure you number each club. At the end of the season your predicted table is then compared with the actual table. . For each team's position you score the number of points that your score differs from the final table and then add up all the points. Disregard plus or minus differences. The lower the total, the better your score. The person with the lowest score wins the prediction league Post your predicted end of season table below and we will see how we all do by the end of season. I will try to remember too post a mid-season table so you can see how well or not you are doing. Obviously it is VERY difficult to predict for the whole season and much harder in the Championship than the Prem with so many uncertainties . So the prize for the Whole Season Prediction Table will be even bigger than last year. Very early to say but Sporting Index have indicated thus based on a totally dodgy computer analysis: Birmingham Unplaced - you read it here folks ( see comment #3 below) Please post your predicted table by 5.00 Wednesday 31st August. You can edit your prediction right up the closing time. Final Standings 2021-22 The Winner: 48 Mrs Fez The esteemed runner up: 54 Scullion The bronze medal position: 57 Frenchie The almost got there: 58 HornetFez, Yorkie, Charlie Livesey Unplaced: 61 Chris 63 Andytoprankin 64=JT Bodbo, Cologne 65 MexicanHornet 72 NZ hornet All are welcome to predict.... Remember: An angst shared is an angst.... doubled!
Here is the predicted 2022/23 Championship table based on BET365's odds. p:nth-of-type(6)","type":"performPlaceholder","relativePos":"after"}" data-placeholder-placeholder="" data-response-start="4444" data-type="placeholder"> 1). Norwich (6/1 to win) Death, taxes and Norwich winning the Championship - it's a never ending cycle. p:nth-of-type(8)","hideOnSensitiveArticle":true,"relativePos":"after","name":"taboolaMidArticle","selector":"taboola-mid-article-thumbnails","targetType":"mix","placement":"Mid Article Thumbnails","type":"taboolaDesktopMidArticleThumbnails"}" data-taboola-placeholder="" data-response-start="4443" data-type="taboola" data-response-end="10646"> The Canaries won the 2018/19 Championship title, got relegated the following season, then won the 2020/21 Championship title only to be relegated again last season. Given their previously strong performances in the second tier, Norwich being named title favourites is no surprise. 2). Watford (7/1 to win) Another relegated Premier League side, Watford are second outright favourites to win the Championship next season. Like Norwich, they too won promotion during the 2020/21 season only to be relegated straight back down to the Championship. The Hornets boast a wealth of talent in their squad when compared to the rest of the Championship and will have a strong chance to challenge for the title next season. 3). West Bromwich Albion (11/4 to be promoted, 11/10 for a top six finish) After a frustrating season last time out, West Brom are joint third favourites to be promoted automatically. Steve Bruce's side finished 10th last season and will be hoping to bounce back into promotion contention. They still have striker Karlan Grant on the books who scored 18 goals last season. Grant will be pivotal in any promotion or play-off push. 4). Middlesbrough (11/4 to be promoted, 6/5 for a top six finish) Middlesbrough missed out on the play-offs last season, but the bookies are backing them to finish in the top six this time around. While Chris Wilder's side finished seventh last season, it was their best finish since 2019. The previous two campaigns saw Boro finish 10th and 17th. With Wilder at the helm, Boro will likely be in contention for at least a play-off spot this season. 5). Sheffield United (11/4 to be promoted, 6/5 for a top finish) Sheffield United suffered heartbreak against Nottingham Forest in the play-offs last season, missing out on a place at Wembley on penalties. The Blades are one of the bookies favourites to finish inside the top six next season but will need to replace departing loan star Morgan Gibbs-White's 12 goals if they are to have any hopes of promotion. 6). Burnley (7/2 to be promoted, 3/2 for a top six finish) Relegated on the final day of the Premier League season, Burnley could be in for a shock next season. While they still have plenty of quality players in their squad, the Clarets relegation from the Premier League means they have to pay back a significant amount from a £65m loan the club took out upon being taken over. That will likely have a huge knock on effect as it could mean the Clarets will hold a fire sale at Turf Moor in order to generate funds. 7). Swansea (2/1 for a top six finish) While Swansea finished 15th last season, the bookies make them one of the favourites to finish in and around the play-off places next season. The Swans boast one of the Championship's most prolific forwards in their squad too in Joel Piroe, who scored 22 goals last season. If Piroe performs, then the sky is the limit for Swansea. 8). Huddersfield (5/2 for a top six finish) Despite making it to the play-off final last season, the bookies have Huddersfield just slightly outside of the major favourites for the top six. The Terriers missed out on a Premier League return last season after they lost to Nottingham Forest at Wembley. 9). Stoke (5/2 for a top six finish) Stoke started and finished last season in good form. A mid-season lull around late November to mid-March saw the Potters slip back down the table following their good start. Consistency will be key to keeping them in the play-off hunt next season. 10). Coventry (3/1 for a top six finish) Similar to Stoke, Coventry got off to an incredible start last season, winning seven from their opening 11 fixtures. They fell back down to earth around the midway part of the season, having spent most of the first half inside the play-off places, finishing in 12th place. 11). QPR (3/1 for a top six finish) QPR were flying last season until they hit a dreadful run of form in February which ruined their campaign. Up until February, the R's had spent the majority of their season inside the play-off places, only to suffer a dismal run of form that saw them lose 11 of their final 17 games. 12). Sunderland (3/1 for a top six finish, 6/1 to be relegated) The bookies give the Black Cats 3/1 odds of finishing inside the play-off places and give them 6/1 odds to be relegated next season. They certainly give Sunderland a much better chance of staying up than going down next season which should boost supporters hopes. Staying up is a must for Sunderland next season. They need a few seasons in the second tier to solidify and build, allowing them to push for promotion back to the Premier League. 13). Blackburn (3/1 for a top six finish, 13/2 to be relegated) At one point last season, Blackburn were 2nd in the Championship table. Boosted by the performances of Chilean star Ben Brereton Diaz, Rovers went on a stellar run during November, winning six games on the bounce. However, following the turn of the year, they came crashing back down to earth, winning just six games in their entire second half of the season. 14). Cardiff (10/3 for a top six finish 13/2 to be relegated) Cardiff City finished 18th last season and will be in and amongst the relegation candidates for next season. Defender Aden Flint was the Bluebirds top scorer with six goals last season. Failure to add more goals will almost certainly see them struggle next season. 15). Millwall (7/1 to be relegated) Millwall were never really in doubt of going down last season. While Gary Rowlett's men drew six of their opening nine games, they were comfortably mid-table for the majority of the season, eventually finishing in an impressive ninth place following a strong end of season finish. 16). Luton Town (7/1 to be relegated) Last years surprise package. Luton produced a season for the ages, finishing sixth in the Championship. However, the bookies make them joint ninth favourites with Millwall to go down next season. It seems unlikely they will be able to reproduce their heroics again but stranger things have happened... 17). Wigan (7/2 to be relegated) Newly promoted Wigan are being tipped to survive next season. They will need star forward Will Keane, who scored 26 goals in League One last season to be at his best if they want to stay up. 18). Hull City (5/1 to be relegated) Hull City finished the season in 19th place last time out. Under new ownership following January's Turkish takeover, the Tigers have been linked with a host of players from Turkey already this summer. If they can unearth some gems, they could be on for a much better finish next season than 19th. 19). Preston North End (7/2 to be relegated) An up and down season saw Preston finish 13th last season. They will likely be in and around the middle to bottom half of the Championship table next season. 20). Blackpool (9/2 to be relegated) While they stayed up comfortably in the end, the storm cloud around Blackpool could already be beginning to gather. They lost their final two games of the season to already relegated Derby and Peterborough and have also lost their manager Neil Critchley to Aston Villa. 21). Bristol City (11/4 to be relegated) Bristol spent plenty of time around the relegation zone last season but never once entered it. However, their mid-season form was woeful. From December to April, they won just six games from a possible 19. The bookies make them joint second favourite to be relegated next season. 22). Birmingham City (11/4 to be relegated) Birmingham City finished 20th last season. Unless they can add more goals to their attack, the Blues will almost certainly be in a relegation scrap next season. 23). Reading (11/4 to be relegated) Shockingly, Reading only spent one match day in the bottom three last season which was early on in the Championship campaign. However, the Royals were pretty much bailed out by the fact there were three sides worse than them last season. They finished 21st in the league and will be battling relegation again next season. 24). Rotherham (13/8 to be relegated) Rotherham United are the very definition of a yo-yo club. In 2017, they were relegated to League One. In 2018, they were promoted back to the Championship. In 2019, they were relegated to League One. In 2020 they were promoted back to the Championship. In 2021, they were relegated to League One. In 2022 they were promoted back to the Championship. The likelihood for 2023? The bookies think relegation...
Here goes! 1. Watford 2. Sheffield United 3. Middlesboro 4. Norwich 5. Burnley 6. West Brom 7. Hull 8. Blackburn 9. Millwall 10. Reading 11. QPR 12. Huddersfield 13. Cardiff 14. Luton 15. Swansea 16. Stoke 17. Preston 18. Bristol City 19. Sunderland 20. Coventry 21. Birmingham 22. Wigan 23. Rotherham 24. Blackpool Based on past attempts I'm completely wrong!
Well here goes 1. Watford 2. QPR 3. Norwich 4. Sheff Utd 5. Middlesboro 6. West Brom 7. Burnley 8. Sunderland 9. Stoke City 10. Luton 11. Swansea 12. Huddersfield 13. Cardiff 14. Millwall 15. Blackburn 16. Hull City 17. Reading 18. Bristol City 19. Birmingham City 20. Coventry 21. Preston 22. Wigan 23. Blackpool 24. Rotherham
Mrs Fez Sez: Watford Norwich West brom Middlesbrough Swansea Huddersfield Stoke QPR Sheffield united Millwall Coventry Burnley Luton Sunderland Cardiff Blackburn Hull Blackpool Wigan Reading Preston North end Birmingham Rotherham Bristol city
Hi, Yorkshire! Fingers crossed that another successful season draws closer for the Hornets! Here's my prediction: 1. Norwich 2. Sheff Utd 3. Watford 4. Burnley 5. Middlesbrough 6. West Brom 7. Swansea 8. Luton 9. Blackburn 10. Stoke 11. QPR 12. Huddersfield 13. Coventry 14. Sunderland 15. Millwall 16. Bristol City 17. Preston 18. Cardiff 19. Birmingham 20. Hull 21. Reading 22. Wigan 23. Blackpool 24. Rotherham Thanks for counting what I score.
Hi Yorkie, having had 2 good prediction seasons I'm sure it's all downhill from here. Thanks for undertaking to do this again. 1. Watford 2. Middlesboro 3. Norwich 4. Burnley 5. Sheffield United 6. West Brom 7. Swansea 8. Millwall 9. QPR 10. Blackburn 11. Luton 12. Huddersfield 13. Sunderland 14. Hull 15. Coventry 16. Cardiff 17. Preston 18. Bristol City 19. Blackpool 20. Stoke 21. Birmingham 22. Wigan 23. Reading 24. Rotherham
1. Watford 2. Norwich 3. Sheffield United 4. Burnley 5. Blackburn 6. West Brom 7. Middlesbrough 8. Hull 9. Luton 10. Cardiff 11. Stoke 12. Reading 13. Swansea 14. Millwall 15. QPR 16. Preston 17. Bristol City 18. Blackpool 19. Coventry 20. Sunderland 21. Birmingham 22. Wigan 23. Huddersfield 24. Rotherham
It's really difficult. At least this means the league is competitive. Anyway... 1. Hull 2. Watford 3. Blackburn 4. Stoke 5. West Brom 6. Burnley 7. Norwich 8. Sunderland 9. Sheffield United 10. QPR 11. Middlesboro 12. Reading 13. Preston 14. Millwall 15. Swansea 16. Huddersfield 17. Luton 18. Cardiff 19. Bristol City 20. Rotherham 21. Wigan 22. Birmingham 23. Coventry 24. Blackpool
OK. Here goes. Apologies that I'm a pessimistic old git. 1. Norwich 2. West Brom 3. Burnley 4. Middlesbrough 5. Sheffield United 6. Watford 7. Blackburn 8. Coventry 9. Stoke 10. QPR 11. Sunderland 12. Millwall 13. Hull 14. Luton 15. Bristol 16. Preston 17. Reading 18. Blackpool 19. Cardiff 20. Huddersfield 21. Swansea 22. Rotherham 23. Wigan 24. Birmingham And that is me being very positive!
Trying to be optimistic..... very hard to predict: 1. Norwich 2. Sheffield United 3. Watford 4. Burnley 5. W Brom 6. Middlesborough 7. Hull 8. Blackburn 9. QPR 10. Birmingham 11. Reading 12. Millwall 13. Bristol City 14. Stoke 15. Sunderland 16. Preston 17. Swansea 18. Huddersfield 19. Luton 20. Cardiff 21. Coventry 22. Wigan 23. Blackpool 24. Rotherham
1. Sheff Utd 2. Norwich 3. Watford 4. Burnley 5. Hull 6. QPR 7. WBA 8. Bristol City 9. Blackburn 10. Middlesbrough 11. Reading 12. Rotherham 13. Blackpool 14. Luton 15. PNE 16. Huddersfield 17. Coventry 18. Stoke 19. Sunderland 20. Swansea 21. Milwall 22. Cardiff 23. Wigan 24. Birmingham
1. Burnley 2. Sheffield United 3. Norwich 4. Watford 5. Middlesboro 6. West Brom 7. Reading 8. QPR 9. Millwall 10. Swansea 11. Sunderland 12. Huddersfield 13. Blackburn 14. Luton 15. Hull 16. Bristol City 17. Cardiff 18. Coventry 19. Rotherham 20. Preston 21. Birmingham 22. Blackpool 23. Stoke 24. Wigan
1. Norwich 2. Burnley 3. Sheffield U 4. Watford 5. QPR 6. West Brom 7. Hull 8. Middlesborough 9. Rotherham 10. Reading 11. Cardiff 12. Blackpool 13. Luton 14. Blackburn R 15. Preston 16. Wigan 17. Stoke 18. Bristol City 19. Sunderland 20. Millwall 21. Hudderfield 22. Birmingham 23. Swansea 24. Coventry
1. Sheffield U 2. Norwich 3. Burnley 4. Watford 5. West Brom 6. Hull 7. QPR 8. Middlesborough 9. Rotherham 10.Blackburn R 11. Sunderland 12. Luton 13. Reading 14. Blackpool 15. Preston 16. Bristol City 17. Stoke 18. Millwall 19. Huddersfield 20. Wigan 21. Cardiff 22. Coventry 23. Swansea 24. Birmingham
1. Burnley 2. Norwich 3. Watford 4. Sheffield Utd 5. Preston 6. Sunderland 7. Middlesbrough 8. QPR 9. WBA 10. Blackburn 11. Bristol C 12. Reading 13. Luton 14. Hull 15. Swansea 16. Cardiff 17. Stoke 18. Huddersfield 19. Coventry 20. Rotherham 21. Blackpool 22. Birmingham 23. Millwall 24. Wigan