03 August 2023 , 10:00
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After what feels like an eternity, the EFL is finally back on Friday night when Sheffield Wednesday host Southampton in a mouthwatering Championship clash.
The likes of Burnley, Sheffield United and Luton may be gone, but there are plenty of teams ready to battle it out for one of the coveted promotion spots which guarantee the riches of the Premier League.
To the surprise of absolutely no-one, the Championship looks tighter than ever this year with a whole host of viable options who could claim the crown currently held by the Clarets.
Here, Mirror Football runs the rule over all 24 clubs who will be competing in the second tier this year, complete with a look at their key signings and our guess on where they'll finish...
Birmingham City
The mood is markedly different at Birmingham City this summer after Tom Wagner's takeover was officially rubber-stamped by the EFL, with none other than NFL legend Tom Brady now on board.
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Wagner has wasted no time in handing John Eustace - who won plenty of plaudits last year - the type of funds the club has lacked in recent years. Eustace has spent it wisely, too; the Blues have completed some of the more eye-catching transfer business in the second-tier, with the likes of Sikiri Dembele and Koji Miyoshi the pick of the bunch.
It's not a foregone conclusion that the Blues' influx of new arrivals will mesh together quickly, but even so, Birmingham still feel like a club on the up - both on and off the pitch.
Last season: 17th
Key signing: Dion Sanderson. The centre-back was a huge hit with fans during his previous stints on loan at St Andrews but now returns on a permanent basis. A shrewd signing who will bring steel and a touch of class to a team who have the scope to establish themselves as the Championship's surprise package.
Our prediction: 12th
Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn Rovers boss Jon Dahl Tomasson has had his hands tied in the transfer market (Rich Linley/Getty Images)It's been a mixed summer for Blackburn, who will be without the services of talisman Ben Brereton-Diaz this year.
Jon Dahl Tomasson did a fine job in his maiden year at the helm by guiding Rovers to the cusp of the play-offs, but the Dane has had his hands tied in the transfer market this summer.
Although they've lost Brereton-Diaz and Bradley Dack, Blackburn still have the nucleus of the squad which took the race for a top six spot down to the final day. But with other clubs far stronger than they were last year, Rovers will have their work cut out to achieve a similar feat this term.
Last season: 7th
Key signing: Niall Ennis. After losing the goals of Brereton-Diaz, the onus is on others to step up. Ennis was a regular in the Plymouth side that won League One, plundering 13 goals in all competitions. If he can handle the step up, then he can help Blackburn challenge for promotion again.
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Our prediction: 14th
Bristol City
Bristol City have made steady progress under the stewardship of Nigel Pearson and will be aiming for more of the same this term.
The Robins have spent money to strengthen the spine of their team, but it remains to be seen if they have the firepower necessary to mount a sustained top-six challenge.
We'll also see if Bristol City will make it to September's transfer deadline with Alex Scott in tow. If, as expected, the Robins' talisman departs, then Pearson's side could be set for another season mired in the mid-table traffic.
Last season: 14th
Key signing: Jason Knight. With it looking more and more likely that Alex Scott will depart before September's transfer deadline, the capture of Knight looks a shrewd one. The Irishman is just 22 but already has 20 international caps and over 160 EFL appearances to his name, so Knight will bring a unique blend of endeavour and experience to Bristol City's engine room.
Our prediction: 16th
Cardiff City
Cardiff narrowly avoided relegation last term and have since turned to former Fenerbahce boss Erol Bulut in a bid to improve their fortunes on the pitch.
Bulut has given last year's side a facelift and added some much needed firepower in the form of Karlan Grant. The return of academy graduate Aaron Ramsey has also boosted the feel-good factor at the Cardiff City Stadium.
On paper though, it feels as though the Bluebirds could be set for another season of struggle - even with Bulut at the helm.
Last season: 21st
Key signing: Karlan Grant. If Grant can recapture the form he showed for Huddersfield and during his first season at the Hawthorns then Cardiff will boast a proven Championship goalscorer. At a club where he'll be the main man, we fancy Grant to prove that last year's lean campaign (three league goals) was an anomaly.
Our prediction: 20th
Coventry
Mark Robins and Coventry will have to bounce back from their play-off final loss against Luton (Craig Mercer/MB Media)After missing out on promotion in the most brutal fashion at Wembley, Coventry will be bidding to go one further this year under Mark Robins.
Coventry have lost Viktor Gyokeres but they have spent the riches they banked from Sporting Lisbon wisely. Ellis Simms looked the part during his stint at Sunderland last term, while Milan van Ewijk had Premier League suitors in January. Jay DaSilva, signed on a free from Bristol City, is also a great pick-up.
After reinvesting the Gyokeres money wisely, it feels as though Coventry now have a stronger squad than last year in some ways. We fancy them to go well.
Last season: 5th
Key signing: Ellis Simms. Viktor Gyokeres was, quite simply, the Championship's outstanding player in 2022/23. But Coventry have reinvested wisely and Simms, signed from Everton, looked the part during his stint on loan at Sunderland last term.
Our prediction: 5th
Huddersfield Town
If anybody was gonna keep Huddersfield up last year, it was going to be Neil Warnock. The Terriers were in a right mess before he was parachuted in towards the end of the season and, unfortunately, not much appears to have changed in terms of playing personnel since.
Signings have been few and far between since Warnock agreed to sign on for another year but the club are under new ownership courtesy of Kevin Nagle's takeover.
Unless more reinforcements arrive in the coming weeks, Huddersfield will be relying on more Warnock magic to keep them afloat in the second tier - and even he may be unable to repeat last year's heroics.
Last season: 18th
Key signing: Tom Edwards. At the time of writing, Huddersfield don't exactly have an abundance of options for us to choose from in this category, but Edwards will be relishing the opportunity to re-establish himself as a Championship player after spending time on loan in America and League One. He should improve a defence which struggled last year.
Our prediction: 21st
Hull City
Liam Rosenior has made a big impression at Hull since his appointment in November 2022 and optimism is high ahead of the new campaign.
While Hull will undoubtedly harbour expectations of further progress in Rosenior's first full season at the helm, it remains to be seen if they have the necessary firepower to mount an assault on the upper echelons of the Championship.
Much will depend on how Aaron Connolly and Liam Delap perform, with the latter struggling for goals during stints with Stoke and Preston last term.
Last season: 15th
Key signing: Aaron Connolly. Another player who returns to a loan club permanently, Connolly will be hoping the familiar surroundings of Hull can help him kickstart his career. The 23-year-old got a taste for life at the club last year after scoring twice in six appearances, so he should slot in seamlessly to Rosenior's squad.
Our prediction: 18th
Ipswich Town
Kieran McKenna guided Ipswich Town to promotion from League One last term (Chris Vaughan/Getty Images)Many people fancy Ipswich to follow up their promotion from League One with another season of progress this term - and we won't be going against the grain.
Kieran McKenna has, to put it mildly, been a revelation since taking up his current role with the Tractor Boys, who had been mired in the third-tier since 2019. Only an exceptional Plymouth side denied them the League One title, and the nucleus of that team is still in place.
Although competition in the play-off race will be fierce, Ipswich boast a fine squad and one of the brightest young coaches outside of the Premier League. They have all the ingredients necessary to make an impact in on the race for the top-six if all goes according to plan.
Last season: 2nd in League One (P)
Key signing: Jack Taylor. Remember that wild play-off tie between Peterborough and Sheffield Wednesday? The Owls may have stole the show in the return leg, but Taylor ran it in the first leg of the tie. The playmaker has all the tools to walk straight into an Ipswich team who many fancy to push for another promotion - which is no mean feat.
Our prediction: 7th
Leeds United
It's been a difficult summer for Leeds, who slipped out of the Premier League with a whimper back in May.
The San Francisco 49ers takeover has now finally been completed though which will give new boss Daniel Farke a boost ahead of the new campaign. Farke is no stranger to the Championship after twice guiding Norwich to promotion from the second-tier.
New signings have been thin on the ground with only Karl Darlow and Ethan Ampadu through the door. And while there is plenty of nous and quality in the Leeds squad, we have a suspicion that the Whites may be in line for a relegation hangover this term.
Last season: 19th in Premier League (R)
Key signing: Karl Darlow. After several erratic performances by Illian Meslier last year, Darlow is, if you'll pardon the pun, the safe pair of hands that Leeds will need if they are to push for an instant return to the Premier League. Darlow made a big impression down the road at Hull during the second half of last season and should have no problem emulating those displays for Daniel Farke's side.
Our prediction: 6th
Leicester City
Enzo Maresca has been tasked with guiding Leicester back to the Premier League (Leicester City via Getty Images)Leicester joined Leeds in slipping through the Premier League's trap door last season, but the Foxes feel like they are in a much stronger position heading into the new season.
Enzo Maresca has been prised away from Pep Guardiola's learning tree and will be tasked with getting Leicester back into the top-flight at the first time of asking.
Spoiler alert: I think he'll do it. Having correctly tipped Leicester for the drop last term, I'll stick my neck out again and back them to win the league. Their squad was already full to the brim with quality and after seeing Leicester snap up the likes of Harry Winks and Callum Doyle, I fancy Maresca and co to take the Championship by storm.
Last season: 18th in Premier League (R)
Key signing: Harry Winks. Leicester will boast an abundance of Premier League-calibre players in their squad this season, but even by their standards the capture of Winks feels like a real coup. He may not get the time and space he's used to in the hustle and bustle of the Championship, but Winks still has the quality to run games for Enzo Maresca's side.
Our prediction: 1st
Middlesbrough
Michael Carrick well and truly got Middlesbrough firing last term after stepping into the Riverside hotseat, and although they came up short in the play-offs, I fancy them to be there or thereabouts again this year.
The only caveat heading into the new season is the uncertainty surrounding Chuba Akpom. With just one year left on his deal and those pesky Premier League vultures circling, it remains to be seen if Boro will be tempted to cash in on last year's top-scorer.
Even if Akpom leaves they can call upon the likes of Marcus Forss though, so I'm sticking with my prediction: Boro make the play-offs again.
Last season: 4th
Key signing: Morgan Rogers. With last season's top-scorer Chuba Akpom set to miss the start of the season, Rogers has played as a No.9 in pre-season and could make a lasting impression if he can hit the ground running. Could be one of the season's surprise packages if he can replicate the type of displays he produced on loan at Lincoln City the year before last.
Our prediction: 4th
Millwall
It's been a difficult summer to say the least for Millwall, who tragically lost their beloved chairman John Berylson last month.
Berylson's death naturally slowed things down at the Den, but things are moving again and Gary Rowett's side look well-placed to honour their late chairman with a season to remember.
The Lions have added genuine quality to their starting XI after signing the likes of Kevin Nisbet, Joe Bryan and Casper de Norre. However, much will hinge on whether they can keep hold of star man Zian Flemming, who unsurprisingly has Premier League suitors after plundering 15 goals in his maiden season in English football.
Last season: 8th
Key signing: Kevin Nisbet. Millwall relied heavily on Tom Bradshaw and Zian Flemming for goals last year, but Nisbet will ease that burden no end if his pre-season performances are anything to go by. The former Hibernian man has been red-hot in the Lions' warm-up games and could be in and amongst the top of the league's scoring charts at the end of the season if he stays fit.
Our prediction: 9th
Norwich City
David Wagner is aiming to achieve promotion again with Norwich City (Stephen Pond/Getty)It was a season to forget for Norwich City last year following relegation from the Premier League.
There was to be no instant return for the Canaries, who flapped around aimlessly for much of the campaign in truth. A mid-table finish in the Championship is a long way from where the club aspire to be - but it remains to be seen if things will get any better this year.
David Wagner worked miracles during his last stint in the Championship. And while getting Norwich up this year wouldn't quite be as remarkable as his exploits with Huddersfield Town, I'd still file it as a shock.
Last season: 13th
Key signing: Ashley Barnes. A season Championship goalscorer, Barnes will help the void left by Teemu Pukki, who departed Carrow Road over the summer. Although Barnes is now 33, he has the pedigree and nous to help a Norwich side that will be eager to make amends after last year's disappointing campaign.
Our prediction: 11th
Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle defied all expectations to win the League One title this year with an astounding 101 points - and I fancy them to continue beating the odds this season.
I don't see Argyle making an instant return to the third-tier with Steven Schumacher - one of the EFL's brightest young coaches - at the helm.
Plymouth will have momentum on their side following some really astute transfer business. The fact that three of their key loanees last season in the form of Morgan Whittaker, Bali Mumba and Finn Azaz are back at Home Park (the former two on a permanent basis) is beyond shrewd. Comfortable safety for the Green Army.
Last season: 1st in League One (P)
Key signing: Morgan Whittaker. It's testament to Plymouth that they managed to stay the course at the top of League One after Whittaker was recalled early from his season-long loan last January. The exciting versatile forward returned to Home Park for a seven-figure fee last month - and just like the Pilgrims, we fancy Whittaker to emerge as one of the season's surprise packages.
Our prediction: 17th
Preston North End
After coming up short again in the play-off race, Ryan Lowe and Preston have had to go back to the drawing board this summer.
The Lilywhites, like most other teams, lacked an out and out goalscorer last year and that could hamper their hopes of gatecrashing the top-six again this term.
Their hopes could rest on whether or not they can beat off competition to bring Tom Cannon back to Deepdale. The Everton striker scored nine times in 21 games after arriving on loan in January and could greatly improve upon those figures if, as expected, he returns for another temporary stint at PNE.
Last season: 12th
Key signing: Mads Frøkjær-Jensen. Preston have splashed the cash on Mads in a big to bridge the gap to the play-offs this term - and give the highly-rated attacking midfielder's extensive experience in the Danish Superliga, you wouldn't bet against him doing just that.
Our prediction: 10th
QPR
Gareth Ainsworth's QPR side struggled in the Championship last season (Ashley Allen/Getty)It's hard to know where to start with QPR, who absolutely flew out of the blocks last year under Michael Beale. But the wheels quickly fell off after Beale began being linked with other clubs.
With the R's in a rut, Gareth Ainsworth returned to Loftus Road after Beale returned north of the border to join Rangers. Unfortunately though, things didn't improve under Ainsworth, as QPR flirted with relegation right up until the final weeks of the campaign.
It feels as though QPR could stay in and around that lower echelon of the table this time around too. A lack of transfer business, including a dearth of central defensive options, hints that Ainsworth and co will have their work cut out to avoid the drop.
Last season: 20th
Key signing: Jack Colback. A Premier League veteran, Colback has the experience and nous that QPR were severely lacking last term as they plummeted down the league. Colback will have a major role to play if things are to improve at Loftus Road this season.
Our prediction: 23rd
Rotherham
After years of yo-yoing between the Championship and League One, Rotherham defied the odds and retained their second-tier status last term under Matt Taylor.
However, the Millers will now have to do without the services of star man Chiedozie Ogbene, who was instrumental in the club's survival. He topped the Rotherham scoring charts with nine goals - the next highest was Conor Washington (who has also left the club) with six strikes.
Jordan Hugill aside, it's hard to see where those goals are going to come from from right now. A reported move for Billy Sharp has not born fruit (yet) and unless the Millers can pull a rabbit out of the hat before September's deadline, a long, hard season lies ahead.
Last season: 19th
Key signing: Cafu. No, not that one. But the former Nottingham Forest man will provide some much needed nous in the middle of the park for Rotherham, who defied the odds to survive last time out. If they are to repeat that feat, they will need plenty from their summer signings.
Our prediction: 24th
Sheffield Wednesday
After completing the most outrageous of comebacks on their way to play-off glory, Sheffield Wednesday should have been riding into the Championship on the crest of a wave.
Instead, the mastermind of that success, Darren Moore, has gone and the mood at Hillsborough feels pretty bleak. Former Watford chief Xisco Munez has taken up the mantle following Moore's exit but it remains to be seen how we will fare with the Owls.
Wednesday's transfer business doesn't exactly look reassuring on paper, so they'll be relying on the old guard of Barry Bannan and co in their bid to survive.
Last season: 3rd in League One (P)
Key signing: Di'Shon Bernard. The capture of Bernard can be considered something of a coup for the Owls following the 22-year-old's impressive loan spell at Portsmouth last year. The Manchester United academy graduate has all the tools to thrive at Championship level for a side that could be up against it after a tumultuous summer.
Our prediction: 22nd
Southampton
Russell Martin has swapped Swansea for Southampton (Getty Images)Southampton endured the ignominy of finishing rock bottom of the Premier League last year, but it's a fresh start on the south coast under new boss Russell Martin.
Martin's philosophy has divided opinions during his stint in the Championship with Swansea, but we still fancy him to have the Saints in the mix for promotion this term.
Ryan Manning is a signing that catches the eye but there is no shortage of quality amongst the players who were at the club last year. A fresh start under a new manager should give them the platform to prove that.
Last season: 20th in Premier League (R)
Key signing: Ryan Manning. Arguably the division's best left wing-back, Manning clocked up a remarkable 15 goal contributions (5 G, 10 A) for Swansea last term. The 27-year-old will slot seamlessly into Russell Martin's system after working with him in Wales last year and will have a big say in whether or not the Saints return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Our prediction: 3rd
Stoke City
Stoke endured another season of mediocrity last year despite hopes of making a run at the play-offs.
Alex Neil is in situ at the Bet365 Stadium after walking out on Sunderland last year and the Scot will be hoping for a marked improvement on last year's 16th placed finish.
Backing Stoke for success feels like a dangerous game given their unpredictability over the past few years, but they have done some excellent business in the transfer market. Mark Travers is a top-quality goalkeeper at this level, while the likes of Ben Pearson, Luke McNally, Chiquinho and Ryan Mmaee add greater depth to an impressive squad.
Last season: 16th
Key signing: Ryan Mmaee. Signed for big money from Ferencvaros, Mmaee will be tasked with bagging the goals that Stoke lacked last year. Nobody reached double figures for the Potters last term; if Mmaee can change that this time around, then Stoke could finally re-establish themselves as genuine promotion contenders.
Our prediction: 8th
Sunderland
Sunderland missed out in last year's play-offs (Stu Forster/Getty)After following up on promotion with a sixth-placed finish, Sunderland picked the worst possible time to lose all their centre-back options ahead of the play-offs.
Tony Mowbray's side will be all the better for being edged out by eventual winners Luton this year though. The Black Cats have operated diligently in the transfer market and boast an incredible array of exciting young talent.
With Mowbray at the helm, I fancy Sunderland to challenge for one of those automatic promotion spots this year.
Last season: 6th
Key signing: Bradley Dack. No shortage of options to pick from him here, but Dack is a proven Championship operator and has that sprinkle of star quality that can turn a game on its head. If he can stay fit, Sunderland have bagged the coup of the summer after picking up Dack on on a Bosman.
Our prediction: 2nd
Swansea City
It's been a summer of change at Swansea following the (eventual) departure of Russell Martin.
Former Cheltenham and Barnsley boss Michael Duff has stepped in to replace Martin after guiding the Tykes to within a whisker of the second-tier last season and will have to implement his own style on a squad which played a very specific way under his predecessor.
Duff does, at the very least, boast one of the league's elite strikers in Joel Piroe. Whether he will still be able to say that on September 2 is a different matter though. It feels as though Swansea's season may hinge on whether they keep him too.
Last season: 10th
Key signing: Jerry Yates. The Swans already boast Joel Piroe in their ranks, but with the striker attracting interest from elsewhere, Yates could be the club's key signing. He impressed in a Blackpool side that were relegated in the final weeks of the season so has already proven he is capable of getting goals at this level.
Our prediction: 19th
Watford
Watford will be a very different proposition this year to the side that failed to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.
Valerien Ismael's philosophy of extreme, high-octane pressing football will at least make sure life isn't dull at Vicarage Road this year regardless of where the Hornets end up finishing.
Although it remains to be seen if the squad will mesh with Ismael's style, the club have been shrewd operators in the transfer market. Tom Ince, snapped up for a paltry fee, is probably the pick of the bunch and has the quality to propel Watford into the promotion picture - if others can step up and follow suit.
Last season: 11th
Key signing: Tom Ince. It was a nightmare campaign for Reading last year, but amid the turmoil, nobody could accuse Ince junior of failing to deliver the goods in front of goal. A £50,000 release clause (yep, seriously) enabled Watford to pinch him for next to nothing - a deal which is likely to look even better at the end of the season given Ince's pedigree at this level.
Our prediction: 13th
West Brom
Carlos Corberan is still in charge at West Brom (Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA)West Brom always looked unlikely to mount a sustained promotion challenge in the wake of their horrific start to last season, but the appointment of Carlos Corberan still feels like an astute one.
The Baggies were in the mix on the final day of the season but it doesn't feel like the Hawthorns will exactly be inundated with optimism for the first game of the 23/24 campaign.
Corberan is working with limited funds and, so far, signings have been scarce. Star centre-back Dara O'Shea has already been sacrificed to raise funds and there is still scope more could follow before the transfer window shuts. With that in mind, it's hard to see the Baggies improving on last year's top 10 finish.
Last season: 9th
Key signing: Josh Maja. Money is tight at the Hawthorns, but Maja could prove to be a smart pick-up. The former Sunderland man will be hungry to hit the ground running back on these shores after a spell in France.
Our prediction: 15th
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