Championship 2016/17. Twenty-four teams battling for tree places in the Olympus of English soccer, the Premier League. Who will finally succeed?
The Championship will kick off Friday 5th August and will see twenty-four teams battling for three places in the Premier League. Among the favourites to win promotion are the tree relegated sides from last Premier League season: Aston Villa, Newcastle United and Norwich City.
Undoubtedly the major favourite will be the club from Birmingham, Aston Villa. The Villans have put their faith in ex Chelsea boss Roberto di Matteo who after winning the European Champions League with the Blues, returns to EFL experience after having guided MK Dons in the past. His task is to return Aston Villa to the top flight.
On the same level, the other relegated side Newcastle United who have retained boss Rafa Benitez and after a massive transfer campaign will be a team to be reckoned with for a place back in the Premiership.
For the third place the battle will be among many with Derby County leading the pack under new boss Nigel Pearson, the man who in 2013/14 guided Leicester City to Premier League glory. The Rams ambition is to return to the Premiership after an absence of 8 seasons.
With that same ambition, Nottingham Forest under new boss Philippe Montanier who has Champions League experience with Real Sociedad, whilst Brighton & Hove Albion will try to win that place after having missed out last season coming in third place and losing the play-off semi-final to Sheffield Wednesday who in turn lost the final to Hull City and will this season be out for revenge.
As always watch out for the surprise which can take the resemblance of Leeds United, Norwich City, Birmingham City (what a derby with Aston Villa!) or Fulham.
While teams like Blackburn Rovers, Brentford, Bristol City, Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town, Ipswich Town, Preston North End, QPR, Reading, Rotherham United and Wolves will try to earn glory as the season progress trying to obtain a good placing and avoid the red zone.
The red zone which newcomers Wigan Athletic, Burton Albion and Barnsley will strive to avoid and keep their place for another season among the elite.
