Here are our Championship Predictions 2025/26. As the season approaches, fans and pundits alike are buzzing with anticipation. From promotion hopefuls to relegation candidates, here’s how we predict every club will finish this campaign.
1st – Ipswich Town
Ipswich Town look primed for another remarkable season. Kieran McKenna remains at the helm, and with much of the core squad from their 2023/24 promotion still in place, they understand exactly what it takes to succeed in this league. Stars like Omari Hutchinson, Jacob Greaves, Leif Davis and Jack Clarke give Ipswich real quality all over the pitch. Our Championship predictions 2025/26 put them top – and deservedly so.
2nd – Coventry City
Since Frank Lampard took over last November, Coventry have played promotion-level football. Lampard boasts a near 50% win ratio with the Sky Blues, and a full pre-season should elevate them even further. Coventry have been knocking on the Premier League door for years, and with this squad and manager, our Championship predictions 2025/26 put them in the automatic promotion spots.
3rd – Southampton
New boss Will Still may be untested in English football, but his impressive reputation in France follows him. Southampton still boast one of the strongest squads in the league. However, speculation around wonderkid Tyler Dibling could unsettle things. Should he leave, it’s a huge blow. Even so, they remain one of the biggest threats in the Championship.
4th – Leicester City
Leicester are once again stacked with quality Championship players. Despite losing some stars, they’ve retained key figures. However, there are concerns – interest from Leeds in El Khannouss and West Ham in Hermansen could destabilise them. Still, their squad should have them comfortably in the playoff mix.
5th – Birmingham City
Birmingham’s rapid rise continues. Following League One success, they’ve built an even stronger squad with impressive additions like Demarai Gray, Kyogo Furuhashi, and Tommy Doyle. A playoff push is more than achievable and they’re a serious name I considered in my Championship predictions 2025/26.
6th – Millwall
After years of near misses, our Championship predictions 2025/26 finally see Millwall breaking into the playoffs. Josh Coburn replaces Zian Flemming up front, and veterans like Massimo Luongo add vital experience. A club known for grit and consistency, it feels like Millwall’s year to finally break into the top six.
7th – West Bromwich Albion
West Brom have been slow in the market, and that might cost them. Aune Heggebo, Nat Phillips and George Campbell are solid additions, but others around them have strengthened more aggressively. Playoff ambitions are there, but our Championship predictions 2025/26 place them just outside the cut.
8th – Norwich City
Norwich look improved from last season’s 13th-place finish. However, new boss Liam Manning is no stranger to mid-table finishes, and while they’ve recruited decently, we don’t see enough to push them into the playoffs. Our Championship predictions 2025/26 have them as strong mid-table contenders.
9th – Derby County
John Eustace has already worked wonders at Derby since arriving in February. Their smart free-agent signings – Rhian Brewster, Danny Batth, and Andreas Weimann – should ensure a strong season. The Rams look like a side on the rise, and our Championship predictions 2025/26 suggest a top-half finish is realistic.
10th – Sheffield United
A new manager, Ruben Selles, and new ownership have signaled change. Unfortunately, that means transition. The Blades have missed out on key signings and made some questionable additions. This won’t be a promotion year, but our Championship predictions 2025/26 still see them finishing comfortably mid-table.
11th – Stoke City
Mark Robins brings experience to the Potters, and the arrivals of Aaron Cresswell and Sorba Thomas add quality. Stoke have been in a rebuild for years, but our Championship predictions 2025/26 feel they might finally be on the right track. A solid mid-table finish is on the cards.
12th – Hull City
Hull are this year’s dark horse. Despite off-field noise and a transfer embargo, their recruitment has been clever. Gustavo Puerta and John Lundstram bring flair and steel. Oli McBurnie will add goals. If things click, they could be higher, but our Championship predictions 2025/26 cautiously put them 12th.
13th – Middlesbrough
A quiet transfer window and a poor showing in pre-season suggests a long campaign for Boro. But Rob Edwards knows how to defy expectations. Still, the lack of squad depth means that our Championship predictions 2025/26 place them in the bottom half, unless something changes soon.
14th – Portsmouth
Back-to-back seasons of success for Pompey. Their League One title win was followed by a 16th-place finish, and now they’re building well. John Swift is a top signing and Kosznovszky adds energy. John Mousinho has momentum, and our Championship predictions 2025/26 backs them to climb further.
15th – Bristol City
After reaching the playoffs last season, a hangover might hit Bristol City. Losing Liam Manning and replacing Nahki Wells with Emil Riis signals a shift. Gerhard Struber is a talented coach, but this season might be one of transition. Our Championship predictions 2025/26 pegs them just below mid-table.
16th – Blackburn Rovers
Blackburn’s summer has been chaotic. They’ve spent, but mostly on players untested in English football. That gamble could go either way, but history suggests caution. Ownership issues continue to loom. Expect another season of frustration for Rovers fans.
17th – Watford
Watford have made some solid signings, including Hector Kyprianou. But the bigger issue is stability – or lack of it. The board’s love of sacking managers disrupts progress every time. Until that changes, our Championship predictions will keep them in the lower half of the table.
18th – Preston North End
Despite bleak predictions from elsewhere, Preston look stronger than many expect. Daniel Iverson, Thierry Small, and Odeluga Offiah are clever additions. With experienced leaders like Paul Heckingbottom around, our Championship predictions 2025/26 say they’ll stay up without too much trouble.
19th – Wrexham
This could easily come back to bite me but I just don’t see how Wrexham have enough to mount anything more than scrapping safety. Phil Parkinson has done a fantastic job at Wrexham and is a remarkable manager but he’s never been able to do it in the Championship. The Hollywood duo up above might be reluctant to sack him if they struggle due to his history with the club. They’ll throw money at it in January, though, if they don’t get it right.
20th – Swansea City
Swansea’s risk-taking might not pay off. Alan Sheehan is unproven as a head coach and they’ve gambled big on Zeidane Inoussa. Their attack looks weak after missing out on Oli McBurnie. It’s hard to be optimistic, and our Championship predictions 2025/26 places them near the drop zone.
21st – QPR
QPR have lost several big names, including Kenneth Paal and Charlie Kelman. Their replacement, Rumarn Burrell, has promise but might not be ready. This looks like a season of struggle. Our Championship predictions 2025/26 tip them to narrowly avoid relegation, but only just.
22nd – Charlton Athletic
Nathan Jones will give it his best shot and that will, no doubt, be entertaining. They’ve signed top quality League One players. Harvey Knibbs, Rob Apter, Tanto Olaofe all shone for their respective clubs in League One last season but can they make the step up? It’s a top end League One squad and they haven’t invested in enough Championship experience for me.
23rd – Oxford United
Oxford fell off badly in the second half of last season and that form could carry into the new campaign. They’ve struggled to strengthen significantly, and with bad patches already in their DNA, Championship predictions 2025/26 point to a tough, possibly doomed campaign.
24th – Sheffield Wednesday
No explanation needed. Chansiri get out of the club.
