Wales will have three clubs competing in the Championship this season, with Cardiff City joining Wrexham and Swansea City in the second tier. The new campaign begins on Friday night with Wolves hosting Blackburn Rovers, while Cardiff face Wrexham on Monday.
Play-off expansion boosts Welsh hopes
A rule change extending the play-off places to eighth could transform the seasons of Wrexham and Swansea. Wrexham narrowly missed out last term, finishing two points behind sixth-placed Hull City, while Swansea finished five points off the play-off spots under the old system.
Wrexham have strengthened with the signings of Danny Imray and Ben Whitehead, and a move for Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson is mooted for £8m. Swansea have added Moussa Yeo, Joseph Opoku, Stephen Welsh, Tiago Parente and Ross Stewart, with Elijah Just also arriving.
Cardiff set for mid-table finish
Cardiff, promoted from League One, have been relatively inactive in the transfer market, with only Jack Moylan arriving. Despite a 6-0 pre-season defeat to Midtjylland, they have impressed in other friendlies, with Alex Robertson, Cian Ashford and Gabriel Osho standing out.
Brian Barry-Murphy's side are tipped for mid-table, with a prediction of 13th. Swansea are predicted to finish 8th, securing a play-off spot, while Wrexham are predicted to finish 7th.
Bookmakers' odds
West Ham are favourites to win the league at 7/4, followed by Wolves at 11/2. Wrexham are priced at 20/1, Swansea at 50/1, and Cardiff at 80/1.
