Two who may challenge and two who may struggle - your EFL Championship predictions

Stoke City are the front-runners to win the English Football League Championship, which looks tougher than ever to predict, with some very big clubs all scrambling to get out and grab a share of the Premier League millions.

The season kicks off on August 3, a week before the Premier League, with Reading v Derby – and Frank Lampard beginning his managerial career with the Rams.

Below, we outline those who could contend and those who may struggle, offering the bookmakers’ latest odds for the upcoming Football League season.

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2018/19 Championship League Winner

Favourite – Stoke City

Paul Lambert ended last season in a difficult position. Stoke were struggling when he took over in January and they managed just two Premier League wins in 15 thereafter, ending their season with a 2-1 win at Swansea, who also went down.

Lambert was shocked by the attitude of several senior professionals as they ended a decade in the top flight. He is no longer with the club, leaving after just five months in charge, and it will be former Derby boss Gary Rowett’s job to take the Potters back to the big time.

Though the Potters are likely to lose winger Xherdan Shaquiri, with Liverpool the main suitors, that may not be a bad thing, as he tended to go missing in games. The 26-year-old spent three years with Stoke in which they twice finished as a top-half team before last year’s capitulation.

They have managed to persuade Welsh midfielder Joe Allen to stay, however, and he will be pivotal to their bid. Benik Afobe has also joined from Wolves to pack a punch up front, while Nigeria World Cup midfielder Peter Etobo adds a little steel. They are still looking at big money targets like Aston Villa’s James Chester and Matt Ritchie.

They should contend if the harmony is restored and the relegation hangover does not continue. They do not have an easy start though, with a trips to Leeds, Preston and West Brom in the opening weeks.

Stoke are by no means certainties to be promoted as their Championship odds of 11/2 attest. They may be of more interest to be promoted at 17/10.

Challenger – Middlesbrough

Tony Pulis has brought in two solid signings to a side that already looked like one of the most likely to contend. Aden Flint and Paddy McNair are already settled in, but the former West Brom boss is still seeking a striker and a wide man.

Britt Assombalonga scored in almost every other game up until Christmas, when a tactical change left him on the bench and Pulis will hopefully restore him to a more natural position.

They have one of the best keepers in the league in Darren Randolph, who kept 17 clean sheets and conceded just 46 goals, playing behind a defence that rarely allowed the opposition a sight of goal.

Pulis could do more business this week, as reports claim that Boro are in competition with West Brom to re-sign winger Albert Adomah. Reports also suggest Boro have an eye on Villa’s Icelandic midfielder Birkir Bjarnason and could table a double bid for the Aston Villa pair.

Regardless, they have a strong enough squad to challenge and they are 9/1 to win the title and 14/5 to be promoted.

Challenger – Nottingham Forest

Unlike Middlesbrough, Aitor Karanka did most of his summer signing business early and, just as he did when at Middlesbrough, he has taken the team to Marbella for a pre-season training camp.

Karanka has no doubt made Forest more disciplined, just as he did when at Boro, sacrificing a previous cavalier approach up front.

When he took over at Boro, that more cautious approach was followed by a play-off push and then promotion. Forest have invested heavily to ensure success comes that bit quicker.

They shattered the club transfer record to nab Portuguese playmaker Jaoa Carvalho from Benfica for £13.2m and crucially signed Lewis Grabban from Bournemouth, who will give Forest plenty of firepower.

There may be a few who think the 10/1 to win the title is realistic. Forest are 10/3 to be promoted.

CHAMPIONSHIP RELEGATION

Favourite – Rotherham United

The Millers have made four new signings this summer, including full-back Billy Jones, who was released by Sunderland following their relegation to League One.

At 31, Jones provides defensive experience, having made 96 appearances in the Premier League and Championship over four years at Sunderland, having previously been with West Brom, Preston and Crewe.

Blackpool duo Clark Robertson and Kyle Vassell have joined this summer while Bristol City defender Zak Vyner has signed a season-long loan deal. But the midfield looks bereft of creativity and it is clear Paul Warne needs a few more reinforcements to keep Rotherham up.

They are 11/10 to drop down to League One.

Possibility – Hull City

It was a difficult season for Hull, who finished 18th in the Championship last term, and Nigel Adkins has had little money to spend in a challenging close season.

He is working with a reduced budget this term as the club’s revenues fall in a second season outside of the Premier League.

They need defensive help and Reece Burke’s arrival from West Ham for £1.7m seems like a snip for a player certain to go on to better things. Chelsea right-back Todd Kane has re-joined on loan, and former PSV Eindhoven centre-back Jordy de Wijs could also prove to be good business.

Yet there is not too much experience to rely upon with centre half Michael Dawson, goalkeeper Allan McGregor, central midfielders David Meyler and Sebastian Larsson all moving on.

It could be a long season for the Tigers, who are 17/4 to go down.

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