Championship 2025/26 predictions: Wrexham set to spring a surprise with Frank Lampard in line for promotion tilt

THE race to reach the Premier League promised land kicks off again tonight.

SunSport’s EFL expert Justin Allen looks ahead to another thrilling season in what is probably the most competitive division in world football…

Wrexham are back in the Championship after three consecutive promotionsShutterstock Editorial

Frank Lampard has rejuvenated CoventryPA

GettyChris Davies led Birmingham to an EFL record points total in League One last season[/caption]

AUTOMATIC PROMOTION

IPSWICH: Bookies’ favourites and my pick for the title — certainly to go up automatically.

Boss Kieran McKenna staying was huge for the Tractor Boys and out of the three relegated clubs they look best equipped to bounce straight back up despite losing striker Liam Delap to Chelsea.

LEICESTER: New boss Marti Cifuentes impressed me at QPR and, as poor as they were in the Prem last season, their squad is strong for his level.

They could do with a decent striker to replace Jamie Vardy, though, if they are to nail a top-two spot.

PLAY-OFFS

BIRMINGHAM: The Blues were already a good Championship-ready team last season and have added Japan striker Kyogo Furuhashi from Rennes — who notched 63 times in 116 games during his time at Celtic.

But, for me, one of the best bits of business is getting midfielder Tommy Doyle on loan from Wolves.

COVENTRY: Frank Lampard will be confident of another promotion tilt.

Lamps has kept hold of all his key players and added full-backs Kaine Kesler-Hayden from Aston Villa and Miguel Angel Brau from Spanish side Granada.

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SHEFFIELD UNITED: Sacking Chris Wilder after losing the play-off final was bonkers.

But Ruben Selles is a decent coach.

Vini Souza, Anel Ahmedhodzic and Kieffer Moore have gone but Louie Barry has joined on loan from Aston Villa.

SOUTHAMPTON: Will Still’s appointment is an interesting one.

He has told me that promotion is the simple target and, despite getting just 12 Prem points last season, the Saints still have a squad that should be in the mix.

DARK HORSES

MILLWALL: I fancy the Lions to make a fist of reaching the play-offs after going close with a late charge last season.

Alex Neil is a wily manager at Championship level — bringing in Massimo Luongo from Ipswich, Middlesbrough’s Josh Coburn and Alfie Doughty from Luton are three good signings.

WREXHAM: You cannot bet against a team and manager, Phil Parkinson, who have won promotion three seasons in a row.

I can’t see them going up again but Lewis O’Brien, Conor Coady, Josh Windass and Ryan Hardie are among their eye-catching new arrivals.

DERBY: Boss John Eustace kept them up — just — but now he means business in the promotion shake-up after adding forwards Carlton Morris from Luton, Sheffield United’s Rhian Brewster and Patrick Agyemang from US club Charlotte.

NORWICH: A new man at the helm in Liam Manning.

While Danish striker Mathias Kvistgaarden, 23, from Brondby, and Senegal winger Papa Diallo from Metz are among a raft of new signings but Borja Sainz has left for Porto.

RELEGATION

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY: Barry Bannan signed a new deal but it’s hard to see them staying up after a horrific summer.

OXFORD: Gary Rowett will have his work cut out to keep them up with a squad lacking depth and quality.

Belgian midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker has come in from Dutch top-flight club Heracles Almelo.

HULL: Survived by the skin of their teeth last season after Selles saved them — and was rewarded with the sack.

Bringing in Bosnian boss Sergej Jakirovic looks like a risky appointment.

But Oli McBurnie, 29, adds experience up front.

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