With the 2025/26 Championship fixtures announced and the season edging closer by the day, prediction time is nearly upon us; and this article will lead you through five of my bold predictions for the upcoming EFL Championship season.
1 – Derby County To Get Into The Play-Offs
It is with no doubt that John Eustace has been an incredible appointment for Derby County. To leave play-off chasing Blackburn for Derby when they were scraping for survival in the same division raised a lot of eyebrows, but he kept his cool and adapted his new side very well – even with the loss of key asset Erin Cashin in the January window under Warne.
This summer window has seen the addition of now former Luton striker, Carlton Morris – who although looks like Kenzo Goudmijn long lost twin, and having not seen the best of years last season with only 8 Championship goals, is a statement signing with a good amount of experience across the EFL and even in the Premier League as recently as 2 seasons ago.
With rumours swirling around new additions that could be making appearances at Pride Park next season like Patrick Agyemang for $7 million dollars or £5 million pounds from Dean Smith’s Charlotte FC in the MLS, it shows that the Rams are not afraid to invest where they can to help Eustace’s side push up the table, and I reckon his man management skills are going to help push Derby up to as far as the play-offs for the upcoming season.
And although this shout may be bold, I would say take a look at his record, he had Birmingham in the play-offs before they sacked him for Rooney, and kept Blackburn up and had them chasing the play-offs the following season.
2 – Nathan Jones to win Manager of the Season
Nathan Jones is a manager that loves the camera’s – but he is an incredible motivator, especially at EFL level leading Luton from League Two to the Championship, and although have failed stints at the likes of Stoke and Southampton, he looks like hes found and settled in his new home at Charlton – being rewarded with a bumper 5 year deal.
It was looking like he could have been leaving to his Boyhood club in Cardiff but chose to stay suit at The Valley and continue to take on the reins for the Addicks at Championship level once again.
I wrote an article about Nathan Jones in February and how Charlton were looking at promotion last season, and how he adapted well to that side with his football here.
Even with a lower end wage bill, I still believe he can get his side to play the same free-flowing attacking football while also having the tactical nous to adapt his style of play and earn results to propel Charlton to a upper mid-table finish come the end of the season.
Jones has proven he has what it takes to be successful at this level against the odds before, and I reckon he will do it again, maybe just at a slower rate than what he did with Luton but will be recognised with the Manager of the season award.
3 – Watford to keep Pezzolano for the entire year
Now I present to you a bold prediction that will get me laughed at.
Time and again Watford dismissed their managers off the back of a 2 game loss streak – bar Tom Cleverly.
This Watford side simply is not what Pozzo thinks it is at this current moment; but I truly believe that they want to see their side in the Premier League – shown by his rare club statement in which he ‘reaffirms his commitment’ to the side.
You would think, 10 managers later, they would have learned the lesson that sacking managers all the time doesn’t work well with the squad, a feat which looked to be changing under Cleverly, but almost inevitably he was dismissed at the end of last season.
But, the Pozzo family have sold their ownership of Udinese, which can be read here by Football Italia, and have taken sole charge of Watford which shows which team they are more committed to.
This is why I believe that Pezzolano may be the man to have time to build his side and maybe even flirt with the play-offs this season.
4 – Wrexham To Be Relegated
While there is a lot of excitement around Wrexham since the new ownership began, I think they may struggle with the reality of life in the Championship.
Wrexham play a very counter-attacking style without emphasis on possession, which is a rare feat in today’s game; and with this philosophy working in League One and Two, I feel they will keep with it in the Championship, I just feel they will be found out.
Jeff Bezos is rumored to enter the fold as an owner of some sort with the Welsh outfit, providing investment which could increases the teams chances of improving the squad to a good level but without that, seems to rely on older heads with an intense running style that may leave them in a pickle should injures fall on the squad.
With ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ hitting TV screens across the world and excitement being high, I wonder if all of that may fool people into picking their heart over their head when it comes to Wrexham’s chances for the 25/26 season.
A Reminder To EFL Championship Fans
Just remember – this article is intended to be a bit of light-hearted fun, so don’t take these bold predictions too seriously, and don’t forget to let us know some of your bold predictions.
