To many, the major leagues in European football will be the Premier League, Bundesliga, La Liga and Serie A, maybe even Ligue 1. But I don’t think there’s a more unpredictable, grueling and crazy league like the Championship. It is the definition of anyone can beat anyone. Relegation strugglers Bolton defeating league favorites West Brom on game one, newly promoted Blackburn defeating Leeds United and bottom side Ipswich Town taking points off Sheffield United, that doesn’t even cover the dramatic late goals.
Nevertheless, here is what I believe will unfold over the next 20 match-days….
BIELSA BRINGS LEEDS BACK TO TOP TIER
In three years, Leeds United have seen seven managers take the helm at Elland Road, don’t suppose the saying is ‘seventh time lucky’? The erratic owner Massimo Cellino left under the darkest of clouds last year, the club and playing squad in disarray. Thomas Christiansen laid good foundations with the backing of new owner Andrea Radrizzani, just the 20 fresh additions. It didn’t work out for the manager, but some players are now integral like Pontus Jansson, Mateusz Klich, Ezgjan Alioski and Adam Forshaw.
Yet, something was missing. Then last summer, Marcelo Bielsa took on a job regarded as a ‘poison chalice’. The 63-year-old has been renowned for attractive football and reviving giants, like Atletic Bilbao and Marseille, looking at this season, he’s at it again. Leeds United are playing the best football they’ve played since their Champions League side of the early 2000’s and I think they are on their way back to the top flight.
Despite suffering a wealth of injuries already, particularly in defensive areas, the determination and confidence is oozing as well as the belief of supporters not seen for years. Kemar Roofe is proving himself as one of the best finishers in the division, recently scoring possibly season-defining late winners against Aston Villa and Blackburn. Pablo Hernandez is the creative maestro they’ve longed for, whilst academy graduates Jack Clarke, Kalvin Phillips and Bailey Peacock-Farrell are showing maturity beyond their years. They may have suffered back-to-back defeats but weren’t playing badly in those games. Over the next month, they take on promotion rivals Derby, Norwich and Middlesbrough, as well as tricky trips to Stoke and Rotherham. I believe they will take at least eight points from those games and face a decent run-in with the perfect prize awaiting.
West Bromwich Albion are the other side I’m picking for promotion. The top scorers in the division have the experience and knowledge of getting the job done and a wealth of match-winners. Dwight Gayle is the best striker in the Championship, supported by Jay Rodriguez, Harvey Barnes and Matty Phillips, they will edge away as the season hits the final straight.
LAMPARED LEADING COUNTY TO WEMBLEY
In his debut managerial role, Frank Lampard is doing a brilliant job with Derby County. He has been astute with loan signings, Harry Wilson a star in the making with Mason Mount and Fikayo Tomori growing with experience. The club are infamous for cracking on the big occasions, play-off semi-final losses to Hull and Fulham and the forgettable last trip to Wembley against QPR in 2014. However, they’ve shown grit and hard-work to bounce back from set-backs already this season.
After suffering back-to-back defeats in games two and three, they went on a run of just two defeats in 14 games in all competitions. They toppled Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, beat Sheffield United, drew with rivals Norwich and Middlesbrough whilst thrashing West Brom away. I think the consistency is improving and Lampard has the winning mentality to drive his side to a Play-Off final.
Alongside Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are Sheffield United in the top six. They are my tip to face Derby at Wembley in May. Chris Wilder has been one of the best managers in English football the past few years, bringing on players at Bramall Lane in leaps and bounds and building a strong side speared by poachers Billy Sharp and Leon Clarke. Add David McGoldrick in for free and the underrated Mark Duffy, they are a serious threat.
The Championship is incredibly tough to tackle, it’s even harder to predict, but here is what I’ve gone with
Top Six: Leeds, West Brom, Derby, Sheffield United, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa
Relegated: Bolton, Wigan, Ipswich Town
Disagree? Comment below your predictions.
Sam Tonks 