The 2026/27 Championship season kicks off on Friday night, and Express.co.uk has predicted all 24 final positions. Last year saw Coventry and Hull, widely tipped for relegation, join Ipswich in the Premier League, while Leicester City were relegated to League One.
Bottom five: Bolton, Blackburn, Lincoln, Preston, Watford
Bolton are predicted to finish 24th. As last year's League One play-off winners, they were the least prepared of the promoted sides. Since their Wembley win, they have failed to improve their squad, and unless manager Steven Schumacher does significant business in the transfer window, it will be a short stay in the Championship.
Blackburn are tipped for 23rd. They were lucky to stay up last season, only doing so because of Leicester's points deduction, and their summer business has been poor. Unless star players like Todd Cantwell step up, it will be relegation for Tony Mowbray's men.
Lincoln and Preston face tough campaigns
Lincoln City are predicted 22nd. It is their first season in the second tier since 1961, but after losing manager Michael Skubala to Bristol City in the summer, staying up will be too much to ask.
Preston North End are 21st. After last season's weak finishing and the loss of captain Ben Whiteman, it will be another tough season. Manager Paul Heckingbottom and the quality in the squad should be enough to keep them up, but it will not be pretty.
Watford concerns
Watford are 20th. They have enough talent to be a top-half team, and if they keep hold of their key players they should stay up. But there are big concerns among fans about the direction of the club, and new manager Alessio Dionsi may struggle to get them onside without big early results.
