Predicting the Championship table 2019/20 24th-12th – Talk the Football League
- Sam Greasley-Machin
- Jul 18, 2019
- 6 min read
Plzyer running with the ball, credit: Pixabay
The Championship gets underway on the 2nd August when league newcomers Luton Town take on Jonathan Woodgate’s Middlesbrough in his first managerial game. That is two weeks away from when this is published and we at Talk The Football League are attempting to predict the final table come May next year in a division where notoriously predictions go to die.
We are assessing all the transfer business up until this point along with all the managerial comings and goings as this looks to be the most competitive and thrilling Championship season in years with so many exciting managers and top quality squads, the level is far above what has been seen recently. Between now and the end of the transfer window some of these predictions could very much change depending on transfer dealings so this is looking at the current squads only It will be controversial and now doubt cause upset, but here is the bottom half prediction for the Championship table 2019/20. Birmingham City 24) Last season Birmingham faced a twelve point deduction which saw them finish 17th. However, the Blues misfortune only worsened over the summer losing their manager Gary Monk who has been replaced by his former assistant Pep Clotet, who has no managerial experience. The midlands side also lost their top goal scorer in Che Adams and another star player in Jota for a combined reported £19m, with either yet to be replaced on what was already a very thin squad. Following issues with financial fair play it’s hard to see Birmingham surviving the drop as it stands with their current crop.
Wigan Athletic
23) Wigan have failed to strengthen their squad since last season with the only notable arrivals Antonee Robinson, from Everton for an estimated £1.9m, and goalkeeper David Marshall on a free transfer from Hull City. During the 2018/19 campaign they found themselves in a relegation battle and the same could be expected for next season without serious squad improvements.
Barnsley
22) League One promotion winners Barnsley finished second in the division below last season and look to be serious contenders to return to the league once again as they form somewhat of a ‘yo-yo’ reputation. Young manager Daniel Stendel is a promising coach in the game, but he has a weak squad for the league at his disposal. Despite nine new arrivals their impact would expected to be limited with an average age of 21 between them and little Championship experience.
Millwall
21) Millwall survived relegation to League One last season by one place are likely to find themselves in a similar predicament this year. Neil Harris has been doing a good job at the East London side under the current situation and being a relatively young manager, but despite adding to his squad this summer he has failed to add any real quality with the most notable signings Connor Mahoney, Jon Dadi Bodvarsson and Matt Smith from Bournemouth, Reading and QPR respectively. These players don’t offer that extra quality to push up the table and so will likely find a similar struggle to last year around the bottom.
Reading
20) Last season Reading only managed to avoid the drop thanks to a change in manager and the arrival of five key loan players in January. Not one of those five players is yet to be replaced and with serious financial fair play restrictions from the EFL currently they are relying on their academy. The Royals currently only have one first team centre back and their only new arrival 19-year-old keeper Joao Virgina on-loan from Everton, so perhaps even 20th is optimistic at this stage. However, with the promise of signings to come and a great up-and-coming manager, in Jose Gomes, a higher finish could be expected. But, as the Berkshire side are yet to act on those transfer promises they could find themselves in real trouble.
EFL logo, credit:Wiki
Charlton Athletic
19) The Addicks return to the Championship following an empathetic late win in the League One play-off final. The South-East London side just about managed to keep promising manager Lee Bowyer, but with their owner issues they find themselves without much financial backing and will be relying on a very similar squad to the one that battled to promotion in the division below, so wouldn’t be expected to be challenging too high in the division.
Queens Park Rangers
18) Fellow hoops rivals QPR could also find themselves in a similar situation as Reading, very much mirroring the last campaign. Mark Warburton is a manager with a habit of finding himself amongst clubs in the bottom half and with the current squad in West London it’s a place he could find himself once more as there is no real stand out quality in the squad. The end of loan deals for Nakhi Wells and Tomer Hemed will result in a struggle for goals in the upcoming season as they are yet to be replaced, although they have strengthened at the back with the arrival of Yoann Barbet. As with last year QPR could be expected to start off well and then drop back down to the depths of a relegation battle, but doing enough to survive.
Luton Town
17) Luton Town are the final new face in the Championship from the league below on this list, a team that tops the list of away trips for next season for many fans. Luton play an exciting game of football which has seen them climb up the leagues to the second division. The Hatters have lost exciting prospect Jack Stacey to the Premier League in Bournemouth, but they have added Championship experience to the side and would be expected to do enough to avoid the drop under the helm of Graeme Jones with the way they play.
Hull City
16) Hull thrived for a period under manager Nigel Adtkins, but unfortunately for the Tigers they have parted ways and that could play a major factor in them falling from their mid table spot last season. However, the North-East team have managed to keep the majority of their players from the 2018/19 most importantly retaining winger Jarrod Bowen, who has been touted for the Premier League, and will no doubt become a massive aid in Grant McCanns season.
Stoke City
15) Perhaps more of an upset on this predictions list is Stoke City. Having sacked Gary Rowett during the midst of last season he was replaced by Nathan Jones who found it hard to initially stamp his philosophy on the Potter’s side. Finding themselves picking up many dismal 0-0 bore draws. This summer saw them add an unprecedented five free transfers, on one day, in squad that has quality on paper but not in practice. A team miles away from their side in the Premier League only a few seasons ago.
Swansea City
14) Another recent Premier League side far from the team they were when they were in the top flight is Swansea. They have lost their prodigy manager Graham Potter to Brighton, who played some of the best football in the league last season, and star player Daniel James to Manchester United. On the other hand they will see the return of host of former Premier League stars who return from loan deals in the form of Wilfred Bony, Jefferson Montero and the Ayew brothers – although how many of these will remain in South Wales come the end of the window is another story.
Sheffield Wednesday
13) One side that would have been further up these predictions one week ago is Sheffield Wednesday. The Owls finished last season on a high thanks to the arrival of manager Steve Bruce who took them to a twelve place finish after a poor first half to the season. However, the former Manchester United centre-back has jumped ship to join Newcastle United in the Premier League. Without Bruce at the helm it’s likely to see the Yorkshire side return to their ways of the beginning of last season unless they manage to inject real quality to the side and quickly – although that is unlikely as they face FFP issues as with many sides in the league.
Blackburn
12) Blackburn could expect a better season than last under the football of Tony Mowbray, but with the most competitive Championship in years there’s only place for them one above last year’s finish on this prediction. The arrival of Sam Gallagher up-front will no doubt be the firepower that Blackburn need to progress in the table, while Bradley Johnson and Stewart Downing add experience and better quality than any players that have departed.
There will no doubt be a lot of disagreement with these predictions so leave your thoughts below and don’t forget to follow TalktheFootballleague on Twitter to hear all the latest Football League news and discussions @TalktheFL.
By Sam Greasley-Machin
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