Championship

Swansea City V Reading

Date & Kick-Off: Monday, 30th May 2011 – 15:00 (GMT)
Venue: Wembley
TV Coverage: Sky Sports HD1

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Preview

It is being built-up as the richest game in football – the final is estimated to be worth around £90M to the winner, according to accountancy group Deloitte – a ticket, then, not only to great riches but to the promised land, the Barclay’s Premier League, where every club in the Football League dreams of plying their trade.

Two berths are already vacated, with Queens Park Rangers going up as champions and Norwich gaining promotion via a second-place finish, meaning one more is up for grabs, and it will be contested by two teams who will certainly be deserving of promotion, that’s for sure.

Swansea finished the regular season in third, narrowly missing out on automatic promotion after finishing four-points adrift of Norwich. Reading, meanwhile, were a further three-points back in fifth but finished the term like an express train.

Of course, Reading have already savoured everything the Premier League has to offer. The Royals spent two season in England’s top-flight (2006-2007, 2007-2008) under manager Steve Coppell.

It will be a whole new experience for Swansea, though, who are bidding to become the first Welsh side to participate in the Barclay’s Premier League. The Swans were last in the top-flight of English Football way back in 1983, spending most of their recent history flirting between the various leagues but are within 90 minutes of writing a new chapter in the club’s history.

British bookmakers are struggling to price up an outright favourite, and I’m not surprised. Having said that, Swansea won both league encounters 1-0 while the final will be a lot like that old Marmite cliché. Some wouldn’t mind seeing a new face in the Premier League next season, whereas others are strongly against having Welsh sides in the top-flight and will be getting right behind The Royals, despite the fact Reading offer nothing new other than a weaker crop of players than when they first gained promotion back in 2006.

From a football perspective, I would personally love to see Swansea in the Premier League. I’m not a big fan of having Welsh teams in the top-tier but few could argue that The Swans play some beautiful football under Brendan Rogers, a former Reading manager, would you believe. Wembley’s carpet-like surface should be a massive advantage, then, just days after Barcelona passed Manchester United off-the-park on it.

Dogged, tenacious and an all-round decent team – Reading definitely shouldn’t be overlooked. Brian McDermott has turned The Royals into arguably the most resilient side in The Championship, but complimented by the fact that they posses the avenues to create opportunities and score goals, invariably through forward Shane Long, whom plundered no fewer than 21 goals during the regular season.

Oh, and before I forget, Reading have only lost one of their last eighteen matches, emphasising not only how difficult The Royals are to get the better of but also how much momentum and confidence they’ll be taken into Monday’s show-piece.

Swansea, meanwhile, finished the season with just one win in seven away games, and so Wembley, in the north of London, will seem like a whole new world to the Welsh outfit hoping to make Premier League history.

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Form

Swansea – WWWDW (Swansea 4-1 Ipswich, Millwall 0-2 Swansea, Swansea 4-0 Sheffield United, Nottingham Forest 0-0 Swansea, Swansea 3-1 Nottingham Forest)

Reading – LDWDW (Reading 2-3 Sheffield United, Coventry 0-0 Reading, Reading 2-1 Derby, Reading 0-0 Cardiff, Cardiff 0-3 Reading)

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Head-to-Head

All competitions:

Swansea wins: 28
Draws: 12
Reading wins: 32

Last 5 Seasons (Championship)

2010/2011: Swansea 1-0 Reading
2010/2011: Reading 0-1 Swansea
2009/2010: Reading 1-1 Swansea
2009/2010: Swansea 0-0 Reading
2008/2009: Swansea 2-0 Reading
2008/2009: Reading 4-0 Swansea

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Streaks & Trends

The Swans are unbeaten in their last five meetings with The Royals, winning three and drawing two.

Swansea were imperious at home during the run-in – winning six in an eight-match unbeaten run in Wales – but have managed only one away win in their last seven outings (W1 D2 L4).

Brendan Rogers’ side also mustered 13 fewer goals on their travels during the regular season, scoring one goal or fewer in 17 of their 23 away encounters (not including their 0-0 draw at The City Ground with Nottingham Forest during the Play-Off Semi-Final).

A surprise 3-2 home defeat to Sheffield United is Reading‘s only loss for eighteen matches (W11 D6 L1), an impressive run of form which did include ten consecutive victories.

Only Leeds United Norwich plundered more goals during the regular season than Reading (77).

Scott Sinclair ended the season as Swansea‘s leading scorer with 19 goals; Shane Long top-scorer for Reading with 21.

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Match Prediction: Reading to WIN – 2.80 (9/5) WilliamHill

Just days ago, Barcelona took Manchester United to the cleaners. Now Swansea are no Barca but their footballing philosophy isn’t much different, and there is no doubt as to who the crisp Wembley pitch should suit more.

Reading, though, are as resilient as they come – one defeat in 18 epitomises this – and are a team with an endless supply of creativity as well as a forward in Shane Long in prolific form who if presented with half-a-chance will more then likely convert.

Because of the brand of football they play, Swansea will no doubt be a big hit with the neutrals. However, I’m banking on a tenacious, hard-working Reading side ending their five-match wait for a victory over The Swans on the grandest stage of them all.

Value Bet: Shane Long First Goalscorer – 7.00 (6/1) SkyBet

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Match Odds:

Swansea City – 2.70 (17/10) PaddyPower
Draw – 3.30 (23/10) Victorchandler
Reading – 2.80 (9/5) WilliamHill

Championship – Middlesbrough & Burnley

We believe it will be a two horse race between Gordon Strachan’s Middlesbrough (13/2 bWin) and Brian Laws Burnley (11/1 totesport).

Strachan’s Scottish influence is playing a part in landing some significant names, with former Rangers striker Kris Boyd following Stephen McManus and Kevin Thomson over to Tyneside. The former is sure to appreciated playing in the Championship, a league which is arguably at the same level as the SPL, and will find the route to goal naturally. Boro were missing a 15+ forward and may well have found one in Kris Boyd, who was prolific for Kilmarnock and Rangers during his ten years in the SPL. In Stephen McManus they have a defensive rock and a leader, while the midfield is now overloaded with quality. Nicky Bailey has joined from Charlton Athletic, Barry Robson arrived back in January while Kevin Thomson is one of several newbies. Julio Arca, Gary O’Neill and Didard Digard are but many of Strachan’s other midfield alternatives, all good enough to get into any Championship side. The difference, though, is up front, where Boro now boast two of the SPL’s most recent prolific forwards in Boyd and McDonald. If these two can hit it off then the Teesiders could prove unstoppable, as there’s a lot of goals in this team while the defence now appears far more reliable and sturdy than last season.

For some reason, mainly lately, Burnley have become an attractive proposition. There’s something about their squad which screams ‘SUCCESS’ back down at Championship level. Their defence still scares the living daylights out of us, especially with Clark Carlisle still involved, but Ross Wallace could prove a shrewd piece of business by Laws and if he links up well with Chris Iwelumo and Martin Paterson then Burnley could quickly become one of the leading players, the team to beat. Wade Elliot, Chris Eagles and Kevin McDonald all had their moments in the Premiership last season, as brief as they were, and they will prove once again that the Championship is where they play their best football. The more and more I talk about Burnley the more I fancy them, although I recently tipped for Middlesbrough for the title and will valiantly stick by the Teesiders, but I reckon Burnley will run them mighty close.

Play-Off Candidates – Bristol City, Leicester City, QPR, Reading and Sheffield United

We aren’t entirely sure what to expect from Reading this season, with a big question mark hanging over them at this moment in time. Their squad isn’t half bad, their actual team is up their with the best, but their disastrous form at times during the previous campaign has to be a huge put-off, as consistency in this league is so important, some would say paramount.

Sheffield United are a big club and simply have to be contesting promotion this season. With Darius Henderson and Ched Evans up front once again, Steve Cotterill returning to the midfield to add some technical flair, and an experienced, formidable defence, United should at least finish in the top-six. As should QPR and Bristol City, who both have stronger squads than most and two managers with experience of gaining promotion from the Championship.

Bristol City lose their way last season and found themselves stuck in mid-table, no nearer to promotion than they were a season ago. However, with Steveb Coppell now in charge of first-team affairs, David James repelling all invaders in between the sticks and the bright and energetic Nicky Maynard banging in the goals, the Ashton Gate faithful should be in for an exciting climax to the season. As for Neil Warnock and QPR, anything less than a top-six finish would almost definitely have consequences, as the club haven’t got anywhere near gaining promotion in recent seasons and are desperate now to see some results.

Leicester City are interesting, especially after their near-miss last season. Despite their battling heroics, the Foxes lost out in the play-off semi-final last season to Cardiff City. They’ve kept hold of Matty Fryatt, Waghorn and Gallagher, three players whose goals last season catapulted Leicester from Championship new-boys into a promotion force. With some harsh lessons learnt from the previous campaign, so long as their forwards continue to fire, Leicester should be up their competing.

Relegation – Portsmouth, Scunthorpe United and Watford

These are the only three teams we’re confident will drop down to League One next season. Portsmouth, seeing as they were relegated from the Premier League back in June, should be automatic promotion contenders but are instead facing up to the possibility of seeing many more relegations in the near future. The majority of their stars have left leaving manager Steve Cotterill with a makeshift squad, barely even possessing eleven first-team players ahead of the start of the campaign. They do have David Nugent, who could score some vital goals, as well as the experienced and dedicated Aaron Mokoena in defence, but with the exception of those two it’s a dreadful team and one which is likely to struggle. The solace being the Portsmouth faithful, which despite being dragged through disaster after disaster, will get right behind their team this season and that could inspire the players, whoever that may be.

Scunthorpe appear doomed now that Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes have left the Irons high and dry and without a chance. Nigel Adkins was too reliant on the two aforementioned players scoring so many goals last season that without them it’s impossible to see them not struggling this season. We have no idea where their goals will come from and that’s a massive concern, so unfortunately they are our favourites to go down. Followed not too far behind is Watford, although the Hornets have starred relegation slap-bang in the face on more than one occasions in previous seasons and defied the drop. They seem to find an extra gear from somewhere and can raise their game in the crunch games, the matches where anything less than a win will leave them reeling and clutching straws. However, their success in recent campaigns has been down to some smart loan moves. Manager Malky Mackay has struggled to bring in some young blood over the summer and unless he unveils another Premiership hot prospect before the end of the transfer window, Watford look set to follow Scunthorpe down to League One.

Our Championship table prediction:

1.Middlesbrough
2.Burnley
3.Bristol City
4.QPR
5.Leicester City
6.Sheffield United
7.Hull City
8.Reading
9.Nottingham Forest
10.Swansea City
11.Ipswich Town
12.Cardiff City
13.Derby County
14.Crystal Palace
15.Leeds United
16.Preston North End
17.Norwich City
18.Coventry City
19.Barnsley
20.Doncaster Rovers
21.Portsmouth
22.Millwall
23.Watford
24.Scunthorpe United

Queens Park Rangers

Manager: Neil Warnock
Key Player: Adel Tarrabt

There were times last season where QPR threatened to become a huge player in the Championship. Come they end they flattered to deceive and drop way off the pace when finishing down in 12th place. Considering a substantial amount has been ploughed into the club without any sort of return, the pressure is really on manager Neil Warnock to deliver this season by guiding Rangers to promotion. Every manager which has tried and failed so far has seen the sack, so will Warnock follow suit or will he be the joker in the pack?

We feel it’s fair to say that Warnock has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal and that failure with this bunch won’t be tolerated by this spoilt rotten and expectant QPR board. The former Crystal Palace manager has been handed more transfer funds than most and has actually, at least in our opinion, spent some of it wisely. The Goalkeeper has proved a difficult area to fill in recent seasons but the acquisition of a refreshed, sharper and fitter Paddy Kenny from Sheffield United could prove one of the purchases of the season if Kenny is half as good as what he was during his peak at United. Clint Hill has also reunited with his former manager and will bolster a defence which so often proved their achilles at times last season. In terms of fire-power, Bradley Orr, Leon Clarke and Jamie Mackie have all been dragged into Loftus Road to compliment the already talented attacking options at the club; your Adel Taarabt, Akos Buzsaky, Alejandro Faulin.

We feel Neil Warnock could still do with adding a few more to his squad, mainly for cover really, but his starting eleven will be very competitive and should really be challenging for automatic promotion, with the play-off’s at the very least the minimum they should walk away with at the end of the season. On paper anyway, QPR are a team with plenty of goals in them, so providing they get it all together at the back, something they never really did during the previous campaign, then QPR could finally deliver what they promised several years ago… Premiership football. They will, however, need to some some consistency, something they definitely had little of last season.

To Be Promoted: 4/1 BetFred
To Be Relegated: 28/1 totesport

Reading

Manager: Brian McDermott
Key Player: Jobi McAnuff

Reading made a drastic start to the previous campaign and by Christmas time were genuine candidates for relegation. Were it not for Brian McDermott’s intervention, who didn’t just steady the ship but enabled Reading to excel with a near-miss play-off pursuit and an FA Cup adventure which seen them claim the scalp of Liverpool and Burnley before eventually succumbing to Aston Villa in the quarter’s. It was, though, their late charge for the play-off’s which will have been eye-catching for the punters, as that late surge up the table, when winning 12 of their remaining 20 fixtures after Christmas, gave many of us the impression that Reading are still a gifted bunch and that a possible push for promotion in 2010/2011 might be on the cards.

Brian McDermott’s appointment just before Christmas really did prove to be an inspirational move by the board of directors, as the 49 year-old worked his motivational magic in dragging the team out of the slump they were in, which at the time was relegation, and into some eye-catching form which would later ensure the club would at least salvage their season with safety. However, the problem now being that because Reading finished the last season so strongly, big things are to be expected of McDermott’s players. Looking through his squad, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be a tidy little force in this division. Jobi McAnuff is an exciting little player and could be the player to lite the touchpaper at the Madjeski. He was so often the player which turned dull and drab games into lively affairs. Sigurosson’s 16 goals proved more than useful as Reading fended off relegation, but there are a number of individuals who must play to their full capacity if The Royals really are to be taken serious this season. Simon Church being one of them. He bagged himself 10 Championship goals last season but will need to better that in 2010/2011, as will Irish duo Shane Long and Noel Hunt. Adam Federici is a fine keeper so we have no reservations whatsoever with him, but it’s all about some of these Reading players fulfilling their potential for the club to really excel and push on from a patchy and sometimes unconvincing 2009/2010 campaign.

Reading could enter into the reckoning for promotion this season but are a side which should be backed with extreme caution. They struggled to get out of the starting blocks last season, with their form at home in particular going array. It wasn’t until November Reading actually registered a win at the Madjeski and a similarly lacklustre start would almost certainly see them fall right out of the reckoning, Form and momentum is crucial it would seem, as shown in their final few months of last season when picking up nine wins from their last 11 home games. We feel Reading are best left as viewing material in the early stages – Backed if they hit it off early on and opposed if they make another sluggish start similar to a year ago. There’s enough potential mind for a big season.

To Be Promoted: 4/1 totesport
To Be Relegated: 25/1 VictorChandler

Scunthorpe United

Manager: Nigel Adkins
Key Player: Joe Murphy

The objective every season is to avoid the drop, but this season could prove too much for The Irons, who did remarkably well to remain in the league with an average squad last term. The gap then was just five points, but with both of their first choice forwards leaving the club over the summer, Nigel Adkins faces an uphill task guiding the club to safety for the second season running.

You have to feel for Nigel Adkins. He did a tremendous job last season in keeping the club up and yet has almost seen his valiant efforts go in vein, as Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes both moved to bigger and better things with Celtic and Preston respectively. The Irons were so reliant on the pairs goals last season, with Hooper and Hayes accounting for 28 of their 62, that without them you struggle to see where their goals will come, and now where and when the points will arrive. Even with two handy forwards, Scunthorpe barely had enough in the tank to fend off relegation, so without them they appear doomed. The bookmakers are of the same opinion and have Scunthorpe as favourites to drop back down to League One. We wouldn’t disagree with their quotes of around 11/10 for this to happen as we simply hold no hope whatsoever for Adkins’ men. Chris Dagnell was drafted in as a replacement for the departing forward duo but surely this is too big a step up for the former Rochdale striker. As well as Dagenll, Adkins transferred in Jim McNulty, Robert Grant, Eddie Nolan and Michael Collins of which neither particularly scream Championship quality, more like second tier uncertainty.

It was always going to be a big ask for Nigel Adkins even with Gary Hooper and Paul Hayes, but without them they really do have their backs well and truly against the wall. Chris Dagnell, Jonathan Forte and Bobby Grant, Adkins’ likely choice of strikers, simply aren’t going to score enough goals to keep ‘Scunnie’ in the league. While at the other end, Joe Murphy will need to perform wonders in between the sticks as his goal is likely to be bombarded through the course of the season. The one thing you do get with Nigel Adkins’ teams is a steely attitude, that never say die approach, but with his numbers taken a serious hit over the summer, we fear the absolute worst for him and Scunthorpe this season. Relegation beckons unfortunately.

To Be Promoted: 40/1 PaddyPower
To Be Relegated: 6/5 PaddyPower

Sheffield United

Manager: Kevin Blackwell
Key Player: Darisu Henderson

The Blades will no longer have to content with playing their arch rivals Wednesday this season, which can be seen either way really, but they’re a big club, bigger than most I would say, and fans will expect nothing less than a strong promotion push this season and are praying Kevin Blackwell’s men fair better than their 8th place showing last season.

Blackwell has seen many noteworthy names leave during the summer and not an awful lot coming in the other way. Of those which have left; Gary Speed (retired), Jordan Stewart, Paddy Kenny, Glen Little, Kyle Reid, Billy Sharp and Gary Naysmith, while the likes of James Harper and Henri Camara were released. Steve Simonsen will replace Paddy Kenny as United’s No.1 shot-stopper, while Leon Britton and Danile Bogdanovic were signed on free transfers with the aim being to improve United’s goal return. Blackwell has retained his key elements though, with the Sheffield United defence in particular looking strong and study. Any forward will come over a little hesitant when they face up to Nyron Nosworthy, Chris Morgan and and Nick Montgomery. There’s a lot riding on Ched Evans and Darius Henderson’s broad shoulders, as the pair really do need to find the back of the net more often. Henderson scored a respectable 12 last season but Evans only managed four, and the latter will be under immense pressure now following Daniel Bogdanovic’s switch to Bramall Lane.

We’re very impressed with the defence and optimistic that the forward three of Henderson, Evans and Bogdanovic will play an instrumental role for the club this season, hopefully in guiding the Blade to at least a play-off finish. However, our concerns lye with their midfield, especially now that winger David Cotterill has returned to Swansea following an impressive loan spell with United last season. I like the signing of Leon Britton, but I’m unsure of another fellow newbie in Johannes Ertl while I’ve never been impressed with Mark Yeates. Players like Stephen Quinn, Lee Williamson and Leon Britton will really need to make things happen this season by continuously supplying the forwards with opportunities. They have a decent mixture of power and raw energy up front that they simply must make full use of if they’re to challenge this season.

To Be Promoted: 6/1 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 16/1 Coral

Swansea City

Manager: Brendan Rodgers
Key Player: Darren Pratley

The Swans played some lovely football during last season when narrowly missing out on a play-off berth by a single point, but with the man that everything possible now deserting them, with Paulo Sousa leaving Wales for Leicester, are we right to predict that Swansea will begin to radpily fall down the pecking order and out of promotion contention following an exciting season which promised so much but in the end delivered nothing. In fact, you could argue that Swansea’s seventh place finish was the worst possible outcome for the club, as with Sousa working wonders in lifting Swansea that far up the table he was always going to alert the ‘bigger’ clubs.

So how will Swansea fair without their Portuguese architecth? We certainly can’t wait to find out as we were one of the many of admirers of the Swans last season. Their football at times was breathtaking considering this is the Championship, a league were at times the tackles are brutal and the football can be dull and boring. You might even say that Swansea set the standard last season, and had they had a quality forward in their midst would have definitely made the play-off’s and possibly been promoted. Enough of the ‘If, Buts or Maybes’ as the reality is Swansea have been deprived of a quality manager and been dumped with Brendon Rodgers, who could barely win a game at Reading. Talk about drawing the short straw. The good news is Rodges does at least have a half-decent squad to pick from, with a large bulk of the team which worked so hard during last seasons exciting campaign still at the club. Those which have left include Steven Dobbie, Leon Britton, Federico Bessone, Marcos Painter, Besian Idrizaj and Guillem Bauza. Some of the new recruits include Scott Donnelly from Acldershot, Neil Taylor from Wrexham, David Edgar, Criag Beattie from West Brom, Lee Trundle from Bristol City from Burnley and Shefki Kuqi, who spent last season on loan at the Liberty Stadium. David Cotterill has also returned to the club following his return from a loan move at Sheffield United.

To be fair, Swansea don’t have a bad squad and could actually cause a few problems if they keep to their pretty football regime. However, if Brenda Rodgers tries to convert them then we fear the worst. Their midfield is where the Swans are at their strongest, with Darren Pratley anchoring the midfield as David Cotterill, Nathan Dyer and Jordi Lopez create the chances for Kuqi, who so often fluffed his lines last season, and another new signing, Cedric Van Der Gun, whose played in the Dutch top division but doesn’t exactly have the most prolific of scoring records. I do like their midfield and I especially love how they play their football. My worry is how they’ll take to their new manager following on from a hugely successful spell under Paulo Sousa. It’s going to be a huge change for some of these players, especially for the likes of Rangel, Orlandi and Lopez who were all introduced to the Championship by Sousa. I’ll be shocked if this lot go down, but at the same time I’ll be surprised if they get close to their eight position finish of last season.

To Be Promoted: 8/1 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 9/1 totesport

Watford

Manager: Malky Mackay
Key Player: Danny Graham

The Hornets somehow evaded the drop last season when finishing seven points above the drop. While the final gap may have seemed comfortable, the season up till then certainly wasn’t. Watford needed a couple of big wins in the final stage of the season to ensure they survived another season in the Championship and will probably require more heroics this term if they’re to escape relegation yet again.

Watford finished the 2009/2010 campaign in style when recording back-to-back wins over Reading and Coventry City, but for large parts it was nervy and fans would appreciate a much smoother ride this season, if that’s at all possible. With money tight at the club and several leaving over the summer, fans are likely to face another topsy-turvy season at Vicarage Road. Watford’s ability to avoid the drop in recent seasons has been down to the club acquiring some decent youngsters on loan from the Premiership clubs, more notably from Manchester United in recent campaigns with the likes of Tom Cleverely and Ben Foster, while it was Adam Johnson, now of Man City, a few years ago which propelled them away from relegation. This season, though, Malky Mackay has struggled to lure some of England’s rising stars to the club, even on a temporary loan. Tom Aldred and Rene Gilmartin are Mackay’s two only signings of the summer so far. A big blow looks to be losing Jay Demeritt in the centre of midfield. Mackay is now down to the bare bones with this current Watford squad, with nothing special waiting in the wings at Vicarage Road.

This is a poor Watford team and they will struggle to stay up once again this season. Their defence looks a shambles in fairness, with only a decent Scott Loach in between the sticks allowing some room for optimism back there, while it’s anyone’s guess who and where the goals will come from. Danny Graham will be the main man up front but unless he betters his 14 from last season by some considerable distance, we don’t see how Watford will defy the odds this time around. That is unless the club discover and lure another Premiership talent to the club before the close of the window, although they’ll be too late to make Watford’s opening game on Friday 6th August, what is the Championship curtain raiser.

To Be Promoted: 33/1 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 9/4 PaddyPower

Middlesbrough

Manager: Gordon Strachan
Key Player: Kris Boyd

The Teesiders have undergone a revamp over the summer, with manager Gordon Strachan bolstering his already fairly talented and accomplished squad with some Scottish blood. We feel he’s made some promising additions, many of which he’s managed before while at Celtic. There are now no less than six Scottish players involved with Middlesbrough, all of which are likely to play a prominent role this seas as the club aim to bounce back to the premiership following a rather deflating 2009/2010 season spent in the Championship.

Strachan’s new signings include the prolific Kris Boyd, whom was sensational as a striker in the SPL with Kilmarnock and Rangers when scoring 164 goals in a decade, and Strachan has shown his belief in the Scotlan international by handing him the No. 9 shirt ahead of the new campaign, hinting that Boyd will be one of the first names on his team sheet. Boyd was followed in by Kevin Thomson, a former team-mate at Rangers, and both should have plenty to discuss with former Celtic players Stephen McManus, Willo Flood and Barry Robson. They’ll be some banter flying around in trainging that’s for sure, but that’s going to be a positive thing for everyone as Boro have been lacking some team spirit in recent campaigns but now have some steely individuals which are going to rally behind one another. It’s also pleasing to see such a variety now at The Riverside, ranging from the combative players like McManus, Robson and Wheater right through to those technically gifted individuals like Nicky Bailey, Justin Hoyte and Gary O’Neill. There’s a nice blend about Middlesbrough, a team far more compact and a lot more complete than they appeared at the beginning of last season and evidentially were, as their mediocre finish of 11th proved.

I know every club at this level will feel they deserve to be in the Premier League and that their club is ready-made for the big time, but with Middlesbrough those sentiments really do ring true. Especially now that both Newcastle United and Sunderland are playing at the highest level, it’s doubly important that Gordon Strachan gets the ball rolling as soon as possible and we feel he’s built up a team capable of achieving that goal this year. He has a stronger defence than last season, more craft and forward intent and purpose in the midfield but more importantly forwards that will score the 15+ goals they need to propel them up the table and into genuine promotion reckoning. We really like Middlesbrough this season, so much so we’ve had a few pounds on them clinching the title at shortish odds, so we hope they don’t disappoint.

To Be Promoted: 2/1 PaddyPower
To Be Relegated: 66/1 Coral

Millwall

Manager: Kenny Jackett
Key Player: Steve Morrison

The Lions earned their ticket back to the Championship via the League One play-off’s last season and it’s generally the team which gains promotion via that route which automatically becomes one of the favourites to head straight back the other way. Bookmakers, though, aren’t entirely convinced they will and neither are we. In a hugely competitive league such as this one, you need players which are willing to fight tooth and nail for every ball, for every bit of space and for every blade of grass. Millwall players naturally are born with these traits and it’s one of the reasons why bookmakers reckon they’ll fair alright in the Championship this season.

Millwall are one of a number of sides in this division never to have played in the Premiership, so do they have what it takes to become this seasons surprise package and follow in the unlikely steps of Blackpool last season. If anything Millwall are a bigger club than Blackpool and certainly have the better of the two squads, so in that case it’s not exactly mission impossible. Even so, the priority this season will be to avoid the drop and we think the players will focus on attaining as many wins as possible at The New Den, with an hostile crowd behind them in their favour, and grounding out points elsewhere. They’re a dogged bunch, as many Millwall sides have been in the past, and we think they’ll fair alright against this seasons opposition. There’s plenty of attacking options at Kenny Jackett’s disposal, with goal-getter Neil Harris still plugging away, Steve Morrison as committed as ever when it comes to getting into scoring positions while Kevin Lisbie has been brought in to add further options after completing a move from Ipswich. In fact, there’s just as many forwards at the club than any other position, which underlines the managers general approach to games. Jackett know full well that goals win you games and he’ll be setting his Millwall side up to score goals this season.

We have every faith in this Millwall team that by the end of the season they’ll still be a Championship side. There defence isn’t the most accomplished or talented in the league but like we’ve mentioned enough times already, Millwall are a rugged bunch and they’ll match anyone for spirit and determination this season. They’ll beat tough to beat, especially at The New Den, it’s all about their away form and how they cope with travelling to bigger venues and competing against better equipped sides.

To Be Promoted: 16/1 Coral
To Be Relegated: 6/1 totesport

Norwich City

Manager: Paul Lambert
Key Player: Wes Hoolahan

After a sluggish start, Norwich really took League One by storm and ended up winning the title convincingly. Nine points separated them from their nearest pursuer, Leeds United, while it was their consistent nature which evidentially insured that this season wouldn’t be spent in the discomfort of League One and instead in the brighter and prosperous Championship. The man which deserves a large portion of the credit is manager Paul Lambert, who joined at the very start of the season as the club was enduring a difficult start to the campaign but instantly transformer their fortunes. From then on Norwich were tremendously difficult to beat, most of the time simply impossible to even stop, and come the end routed League One. The Championship will be a different proposition altogether but the confidence should be high following a season which contained a staggering 29 league victories, but can they really come close to emulate the sort of form which clinched them the League One title last season against far stiffer opposition?

The bookmakers are quietly fancying Norwich’s chances or retaining their Championship status, which after gaining immediate promotion back to the league will be their foremost goal this season. The Canaries were very good last season, exceptional at times, but it’s unlikely they’ll have matters all their own way back in the Championship. They do nevertheless have some gifted individuals who will make them an attractive proposition this season. Wes Hoolahan has become a huge fan favourite and his darting runs, as well as his ability to find the corners of the goal with consummate ease, will be a problem for opposing defenders. But the main man will be Grant Holt, now the club captain, as he found scoring goals in the league below a breeze and it was his tally of 24 which helped Norwich take the division by storm. He was, though, amply assisted by Chris Martin, who bagged 15 league goals last season, and at 21 years-old is a promising young star for Norwich. Paul Lambert has made some interesting new additions though since the end of last season, with Gillingham favourite Simeon Jackson now adding to Norwich’s already flourishing forward options and also adding some flair and pace to their game, as Elliot Ward, Steven Smith, Andrew Surman, Andrew Crofts and John Ruddy all provide a fresh feel and will be pushing last seasons first-team regulars for a permanent role in Lambert’s starting eleven.

I do worry a little with Norwich City as while they do boast enough craft in the midfield, while Grant Holt is surely going to snap up anything in his proximity, there defence doesn’t fill me with a great deal of confidence. For starters they have a 21 year-old in goal, and while handing out experience to some of the supposedly keepers of the future is admirable, I always prefer experience over talent when it comes to goalkeeping. There’s going to be a great deal of responsibility falling onto the shoulders of their defensive veterans, the likes of Andrew Drury and Michael Nelson, to ensure whoever lines up alongside them, likely to be a player with very little Championship experience by the looks of it, remains focused throughout. They’ll probably do just enough but we wouldn’t back them as possible promotion candidates.

To Be Promoted: 7/1 bWin
To Be Relegated: 16/1 Bet365

Nottingham Forest

Manager: Billy Davies
Key Player: Radolsaw Majewski

It will be interesting to see how Nottingham Forest respond after coming so close to promotion last season. An exciting play-off semi-final encounter with Blackpool didn’t go their way and so despite finishing the best of the four play-off sides, Forest still find themselves stuck in the Championship and having to do it all over again.

Whether it’s because funds are tight at the moment we don’t know, but manager Billy Davies has done an awful lot in the transfer window other than bring Radoslaw Majewski back to the club following an impressive loan spell at the City Ground last season. The little schemer troubled defences with his jinxing little runs and sharp efforts on goals, and while the Polish international remains Davies’ only capture of the summer thus far, it’s a positive move nonetheless as Forest aim to go one better in 2010/2011. Billy Davies will however be without one player which played an instrumental role in aiding Forest to a third place finish last season, with James Perch sealing a move to Newcastle United for an undisclosed fee. The club were powerless to keep the centre back at the City ground for another season and it leaves Davies short of a quality centre half for the start of the new season. With the exception of Perch, Forest’s squad remains mainly unchanged.

I’m extremely disappointed that Davies hasn’t added to his squad over the summer, with a classy forward in particular needed. I’m not a fan of Dele Adebola while Nathan Tyson’s form comes and goes, as well as Robert Earnshaw not getting any younger, Forest desperately need to liven up their attack. Retaining the services of Majewski is a positive move from the club as he made a real impact last season, but the problem being Forest were too reliant on Earnshaw’s and Blackstock’s goals last season and if one, both even, don’t dig deep and hit a similar vein of form like they did last season, we see little in reserve which Davies can call upon. There’s no reason why the pair shouldn’t get in amongst the goals once again, while Forest played arguably the most attractive and appealing football of the lot last season. We just have our niggle of concerns, even if they are based on mere assumptions.

To Be Promoted: 11/4 SportingBet
To Be Relegated: 40/1 Bet365

Portsmouth

Manager: Steve Cotterill
Key Player: Aaron Mokoena

The number twelve shirt has officially been retired at the club because of the loyal and passionate support of the fans has been deemed the equivalent to the 12th man, and yet the irony is Portsmouth couldn’t fill that shirt regardless right now, as manager Steve Cotterill contemplates heading into the 2010/2011 season without any sort of squad and barely boasting eleven players to form a team. The clubs in a right old mess and Portsmouth FC are about to begin their slide down the English ladder it would seem following the departure of yet more of their stars over the summer in a bid to reduce both the size of their overall debts and their bumptious wage bill.

It must have been a rush of blood to the head which made Steve Cotterill leave his post at League One Notts County and take on the managerial role at Portsmouth, as it’s clear for all to see that the south coast side are a team which has already imploded and its he who is left to pick up the pieces. It’s got to the point where no-one actually knows whose at Portsmouth in terms of players and whose heading out the door. David James, Nadir Belhadj, Steve Finnan, Papa Bouba Diop and the most recent being Tel Ben Haim, have all jumped ship midway through the Portsmouth ship sinking. It is a shame as you’ll struggle to find a more passionate bunch of fans than Portsmouth’s, but the club only have themselves to blame and where avoiding the drop last season in the Premiership seemed impossible, the same can pretty much be said about their chances of doing the same despite playing against lower grade sides.

Too much quality has left the club with not a great deal, if anything at all, has come in the other way. It’s actually frightening to see the pace at which this once historic and traditional football club is dying. It’s also pretty uncommon, that is despite the financial unrest at which most clubs are in right now, for a club to drop down a division and not immediately be touted as possible promptipn candidates. That certainly isn’t Portsmouth and if Cotterill does somehow steer the club onto safe ground this season then a minor miracle will have occurred down South.

To Be Promoted: 9/1 SkyBet
To Be Relegated: 2/1 VictorChandler

Preston North End

Manager: Darren Ferguson
Key Player: Chris Brown

Despite guiding Preston to just six wins in 24 games, the club have remained faithful in their relationship with manager Darren Ferguson, who took over at the club following Alan Irvine’s departure midway through last season and Ferguson’s sacking by Peterborough United. The latter fell flat on their face and were later relegated as Darren Ferguson landed on his feet at Preston. But more, a lot more in fact, will be expected from Ferguson this season, from Preston North End as a club and as a team, as this club should be challenging for promotion.

It was only two seasons ago in the 2008/2009 season that Preston were in the promotion play-off’s. They didn’t have much luck however but at least it was a positive step in the right direction for a club which has spent more time contemplating the drop than progression in recent campaigns. They’re in danger of following into a similar kind of lull and it’s down to the Scot to drag Preston North End out of it. He does boast a bigger squad than most but whether he has anything special or meaningful really does remain to be seen. Preston were dreadful at times last season and conceded more goals than any other team in the division last year, with the exception of bottom placed Peterborough and Scunthorpe, and Ferguson has tried to tighten up his defence with the signings of David Gray, Wayne Brown and former Sheffield United stalwart Craig Morgan. The latter looks interesting and useful addition and should settle in just nicely alongside captain Callum Davidson. Neil Mellor has gone out on loan meaning Paul Hayes, who completed his move from Scunthorpe during the summer, will need to form a budding partnership with Chris Brown and the beast, Jon Parkin, right from the off. Chris Sedgwick, Eddie Nolan and Ross Wallace are among those which seeked out employment elsewhere as Matthew James was brought on loan from Man Utd and Andreas Arestidou on a free transfer from Shrewsury.

We don’t feel Preston North End have strengthened enough over the summer to really be considered as promotion contenders this season. Paul Hayes has been brought in to score the goals but he was overshadowed at Scunthorpe by Gary Hooper and it was Hooper which earned himself a deal in the SPL with giants Celtic, as Hayes settled for a move to Preston. Without a regular goalscorer, someone who will account for at least fifth-teen of their goals this season, Preston will struggle to remain competitive, as in previous campaigns they’ve relied too heavily on goals coming from irregular sources. Criag Morgan should be a decent piece of business for them in defence, but their attack is still too weak for our liking.

To Be Promoted: 14/1 SportingBet
To Be Relegated: 13/2 Coral

Barnsley

Manager: Mark Robins
Key Player: Luke Steele

Mark Robins performed minor miracles at Oakwell last season with Barnsley when guiding them to safety in the form of an 18th place finish in the Championship table. The difference was just seven points though, an improvement on their previous two seasons where they were six points above safety come the end of the 2008/2009 campaign and just three back in 2007/2008. While maintaining the clubs Championship status has been paramount in recent years, Barnsley have been cutting it fine and will no doubt be a favourable selection with punters when it comes to picking relegation candidates ahead of the 2010/2011 Championship season.

Barnsley finished last season as they began, struggling to win games of football. They started with a run of six games without a win and bettered that right at the very end as they saw out the season without a win in their last ten league games. Fortunately they enjoyed a decent winter spell, December especially, and picked up enough points in the middle stint of the season to see them through another sketchy campaign. But the new season has already began on a sour note as manager Mark Robins has once again had to let some members of his squad go in a bid to reduce the wage bill at the club with Jon Macken, Onome Sodje, Mounir El Haimour and Anderson Da Silva all departing during the summer. Robins has introduced a number of new faces to his squad but many appear unknown quantities and may well fall short of the desired level needed to be competitive in arguably the most competitive league in Europe. Among those new faces include Jim O’Brien, Diego Arismendi on loan from Stoke, James McEveley, Jason Shackell and Goran Love, however, it is the capture of Liam Dickinson from Brighton which could make of break Mark Robins as Barnsley desperately need a forward which can score more than 10 goals in a season following the transfer of Daniel Bogdanovic to Sheffield United.

It’s going to be another rough-old season for Barnsley fans, with another nail-biting finish in store. They have a fine shot-stopper between the sticks in Luke Steele, who kept a clean sheet in 30% of their games at the Oakwell stadium last season, and while his form is crucial to their chances of defying the drop once more, the form of their forwards will be even more instrumental. Liam Dickinson will need to take to the Championship straight away now that eleven-goal forward Daniel Bogdanovic is no longer at the club, as will Iain Hume and Andy Gray, whom managed just 10 goals between them as Barnsley finished 18th last term.

To Be Promoted: 20/1 Boylesports
To Be Relegated: 11/4 Bet365

Bristol City

Manager: Steve Coppell
Key Player: Nicky Maynard

Ever since Steve Coppell performed wonders with Reading when taking them to the Premiership after clinching the 2006 Championship title, to then guiding the Madjeski owned club to a sensational top-ten finish the following season in the Premier League before bowing out on goal difference the season after, we’ve been a fan of his. So it’s no surprise that we’ve instantly taken a liken to the Bristolians.

Copell wasted little time getting down to work and what a piece of business he may just have done in signing England international David James on a free transfer. Granted James has hit the 40 marker but he’s a keeper of real quality. He’s still as agile as ever and even seems to have cut out the usual mishaps and mistakes that has plagued his career for so long. When you consider that City have a forward with the potential to score 20+ goals a season in Nicky Maynard, there’s real room for optimism around Ashton Gate. Former Bolton full-back Nicky Hunt has also jumped on Coppell’s bandwagon and will reinforce the Bristol City defence, as will Kalifa Cisse, with Coppell now possessing two defenders which should dominate the aerial battles and leave anything on the floor for David James to deal with.

Bristol City look a tidy little outfit, with key components in every area of the field. If they can get Maynard firing on all cylinders and David James happy then we see no reason why City won’t be thereabouts come the end of the season, challenging for at least a play-off berth if not automatic promotion. 

To Be Promoted: 4/1 Ladbrokes
To Be Relegated: 16/1 SkyBet

Burnley

Manager: Brian Laws
Key Player: David Nugent

The Clarets could only manage one season in the most physically demanding league in Europe, finishing above only Portsmouth en route to relegation from the Premier League. Brian Laws, the manager at the helm as Burnley’s Premiership demise was confirmed, remains in charge of first team affairs and he’ll be excited by this current Burnley project. The club have had to let some of their big earners go since exiting the premier League in May, with Robbie Blake, Steven Caldwell, Steven Fletcher and Joey Gudjonsson all moved on during the summer. In their place came Lee Grant (GK), Ross Wallace, Dean Marney, Danny Fox, and the forward duo of Chris Iwelumo & David Nugent. The latter two could playing a starring role for the Clarets up front now that Fletcher is no longer at the forefront of the attack, while both players will feel they have something to prove to their respective international managers.

Brian Laws faced an almost impossible task in steering Burnley to safety last season, to which he failed rather miserably in the end, but there will be no excuses should Burnley not be in contention for a ticket back to the topflight come the latter stages of the season. They have Championship pedigree all round the field. Lee Grant, who left Sheffield Wednesday during the summer following their relegation,  would get into most starting elevens in this league, Graham Alexander’s leadership qualities will be priceless back down in this division especially after the heartache of relegation from the Premier League last season, while a lot will depend on how well David Nugent and Chris Iwelumo hit it off at Turf Moor. However, it’s the strength in depth which make Burnley one of the leading players in this league, with competition for places fierce. It does, though, mean that because of the size of their squad and the assumption that their wage bill must be far bigger than that of most teams, there isn’t a lot of room for manoeuvre and that Laws will be under a great deal of pressure to ensure Burnely gain promotion sooner rather than later, while a below par start to the season would almost certainly see the manager scrutinised by the fans and Burnley hierarchy.

Burnley actually have a far stronger starting eleven, and squad, than I initially thought. Laws has got an accomplished team in front of him, packed with Championship calibre. But with that comes expectancy and a poor start to the campaign would see Laws not only come in for criticism but also contemplating the sack. There’s no reason why Burnley shouldn’t get off to a flyer, and if Nugent and Iwelumo can quickly get in amongst the goals then Burnley could be a serious player this season.

To Be Promoted: 10/3 BlueSquare
To Be Relegated: 33/1 PaddyPower

Cardiff City

Manager: Dave Jones
Key Player: Michael Chopra

You get that feeling that it was do or die for the Blue Birds last season, what with all their publicised financial issues. Their star forward has already publicly bemoaned the lack of quality additions over the summer, while the their inability to retain Joe Ledley, who moved to Celtic, will only have fuelled the fire.

Despite a courageous promotion effort last season, when reaching the play-off final before losing 3-2 to Blackpool in an enthralling match, Cardiff still find themselves no nearer to Premiership football and out of financial insecurity. Those which have left the club following their play-off final heartache, are Warren Feeney, Mark Feeney, and Tony Capaldi, all on free transfers. Despite Dave Jones, who was being linked with the Fulham post at one stage, bringing in Daniel Drinkwater and Tom Heaton on loan from Manchester United, Cardiff’s squad is wafer thin on numbers and quality, and were one of their key players to suffer a catastrophic injury early into the season then you would fear the worst in the knowledge that Jones doesn’t have much in reserve.  The good news however is that those which played an instrumental part in getting the club as far as the final of the play-off’s last season are still involved, with Michael Chopra and Peter Whittingham, two of Cardiff’s top goalscorers last season with 16 and 20 goals respectively, Chris Burke, Jay Bothroyd and Mark Hudson all staying loyal and committed to the Cardiff cause.

Cardiff’s starting eleven is as good as any other in the Championship and would give the leading players a run for their money on their day, but that’s been the problem with the Blue Birds in recent campaigns, their lack of consistency. They also had this tendency to fall into slumps, often losing ones, and unless they resolve their inconsistency issues, as well as the concerns surrounding the lack of depth, then Cardiff will struggle to match their achievements of last season. We certainly have our doubts.

To Be Promoted: 13/2 VictorChandler
To Be Relegated: 8/1 VictorChandler

Coventry City

Manager: Chris Coleman
Key Player: Lee Carsley

Chris Coleman did a magnificent job at the Ricoh Arena last season by preserving the clubs Championship status. The gap was just seven points though. Coventry were one of those teams which thrived off winning momentum but struggled to escape the slumps. Rarely was there any middle ground with the Sky Blues, as streaks varied from a hat-trick of wins to double figure runs without winning. However, Coleman’s and Coventry’s objective at the beginning of the season was to ensure the club didn’t go through the misfortune of relegation and they achieved that no matter how ugly the manner in which it was achieved.

This season will be exactly the same in terms of goals for the club, with safety the main target and anything else merely a bonus. Coventry are no longer considered a promotion contender this days and with their current crop it’s easy to see why. Lee Carsley and Gary McSheffrey are two of the big names drafted in over the summer to boost numbers and instil some belief and optimism into the fans. However, there’s a growing concerns in some corners concerning the lack of goalscorers in the squad, with Freddy Eastwood and Lukas Jutkiewicz scoring in an irregular fashion and their newest addition, McSheffrey, hardly prolific himself. Their tally of 47 goals scored last season was the fourth worst return in the league, and when you’re conceding your fair share at the other it’s always going to end in tears.

Coleman has the numbers at his disposal he just doesn’t have a great deal of meaningful quality. Freddy Eastwood really needs to come to the fore this season and better the eight goals he managed last season, especially now that Leon Best and Clinton Morrison, Coventry’s two highest scorers last season, have departed. The former Fulham manager has moved swiftly to bolster his attacking options with the signings of Clive Platt and Roy O’Donovan, but there’s still a great deal of uncertainty surrounding their fire-power while their defence still looks vulnerable, without a defender of note. Despite Coleman’s best efforts over the summer, Coventry will struggle to see the top half of the table and will do well to settle into mid-table and avoid any relegation scrap.

To Be Promoted: 16/1 Bet365
To Be Relegated: 6/1 Coral

Crystal Palace

Manager: George Burley
Key Player: Darren Ambrose

Palace were promotion contenders until they were handed a hefty nine point penalty for entering into administration. Along with manager Nigel Warnock leaving Selhurst Park, Palace’s biggest asset also parted ways in a bid to release some extra funds, as Victor Moses was sold to Wigan Athletic for around £2.5 million. Despite all this the club still managed a memorable run in the FA Cup, progressing to the fifth round before being knocked out by Aston Villa in a replay. The drama, though, came on the final day of the season when Palace needed a final day 2-2 draw at Hillsborough, Sheffield Wednesday, in order to cement their place in next seasons Championship.

Fans will be hoping for a smoother ride this season, hopefully without any point deductions. The club were on course for a possible play-off finish had it not been for the administrators being called in, but the club have managed to retain the majority which battled gamely to keep Palace in the division. Shaun Derry, Danny Butterfield, Clint Hill and Johannes Ertl have all left the club since that dramatic final day in Sheffield, but in their place came Lewis Price, Andy Dorman, Adam Barrett, David Wright and Preston’s Veliche Shumulikoski all hoping to make an impact at Selhurst Park this season under George Burley’s regime.

George Burley couldn’t of picked a more difficult post, since being sacked as Scotland manager back in November last year, if he tried although Crystal Palace are capable of springing a surprise this season, much like they promised in the early stages of last season. In Darren Ambrose they have a midfield which will bag them a good 10 or so goals while he has that guile and craft to unlock the most baron of defences. Their goalkeeper can excel on his day while his defence is better than some, but it’s their strikers which worry us. Alan Lee, Sean Scannell and Calvin Andrew simply aren’t regular enough scorers and the burden will once again fall on the midfielders to chip in with winners, in particular Darren Ambrose and Scott Danns.

To Be Promoted: 25/1 bWin
To Be Relegated: 3/1 SkyBet

West Bromwich Albion

Manager: Roberto Di Matteo
Key Player: Johnathan Greening
Stadium: The Hawthorns

Promotion Odds: 7/4 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 40/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Gonzalo Jara, Reuben Reid, Simon Cox

Transfers Out:
Pedro Pele, Do-Heon Kim, Luke Daniels, Paul Robinson

SoccerBetting Opinion – West Brom have always taken to life back in The Championship pretty well They won the league when they were last involved back in 2007/2008 and they shouldn’t be too far off this season. Although they haven’t introduced too many enw faces over the summer, they haven’t been rushed into offloading too many either. Club captain Johnathan Greening will need another big season if the ‘baggies’ are to gain promotion back to the top flight and we wouldn’t out anyone off backing West Brom to do the business once more.

SoccerBetting Prediction: 5th Position

Watford

Manager: Malky Mackay
Key Player: Jay DeMerit
Stadium: Vicarage Road

Promotion Odds: 14/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 7/2 Bet365

Transfers In:
Jure Travner, Danny Graham, Scott Severin

Transfers Out:
Steve Kabba, Alhassan Bangura, Theo Robinson, Lee Williamson

SoccerBetting Opinion – Gone the days when Watford were battling it out against England’s finest in the Premiership. In fact, gone the days when Watford were even challenging for Championship honours. Now, the priority each season is survival with funds at the club at a premium. Their star player Tomas Priskin looks destined for the exit and it does look gloomy for the Watford fans. They’ve had plenty of surprising seasons before where they’ve mounted a promotion challenge but we can’t see that happening this time around.

SoccerBetting Prediction: 18th Position

Swansea City

Manager: Paulo Sousa
Key Player: Nathan Dyer
Stadium: Liberty Stadium

Promotion Odds: 8/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 13/2 Bet365

Transfers In:
Jordi Lopez, Steven Dobbie, Nathan Dyer

Transfers Out:
Jason Scotland

SoccerBetting Opinion – Things were looking bright at the Liberty but then came the departure of their star forward in Jason Scotland. Swansea have now lost a player who will bag you at least 15 goals a season and they will find it extremely difficult to replace him. They’ve brought Nathan Dyer back in after his loan spell and will be hoping the pacy winger can make an impact in the Championship this season. However, the Swansea supporters will be handed a reality check this season and survival will turn into their seasonal target sooner rather than later.

SoccerBetting Prediction: 17th Position

Sheffield Wednesday

Manager: Brian Laws
Key Player: Marcus Tudgay
Stadium: Hillsborough Stadium

Promotion Odds: 8/1 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 7/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Darren Potter, Tommy Miller, Darren Purse

Transfers Out:
Sam Liversidge, Steve Watson, Kenny Lunt

SoccerBetting Opinion – Sheffield Wednesday have often had to play second fiddle to their bitter neighbours and that appears to be the case for the forthcoming season. The contrast in quality at both Sheffiled clubs is immense and Wednesday are a million miles away from promotion right now. Their one glimmer of hope will be their star forward – Marcus Tudgay. He may only average a goal every 3 or 4 games but he’s their one and only bright spark in the final third and they will rely heavily on his goals this season.

SoccerBetting Prediction: 15th Position

Sheffield United

Manager: Kevin Blackwell
Key Player: Ched Evans
Stadium: Bramall Lane

Promotion Odds: 10/3 Bet365
Relegation Odds: 25/1 Bet365

Transfers In:
Mark Bunn, Glen Little, Kyle Walker, Ryan France, Keith Treacy, Ched Evans, Andy Taylor, Kyle Reid, Lee Williamson

Transfers Out:
Sun Jihai, Kyle Naughton, Jamie Annerson, Danny Webber, Ugo Egiogu, Adam Chapman, Nicky Law

SoccerBetting Opinion – United suffered heartache in the play-off final last year and they’ll be hoping to go one better this season. They’ve gone to town in the summer transfer window and brought in the necessary replacements to mount a challenge on the automatic promotion spots. Glen Little brings with him Premiership experience while Ched Evans is still very young but already has International experience under his belt. Both, especially the latter, will be big players for United this term and we think Ched Evans will be one of the players of the season this year.

SoccerBetting Prediction: 2nd Position