The 2025 Championship Season: Storylines and Predictions

As the new Championship season kicks off this weekend, anticipation is high for what’s sure to be an exciting campaign filled with drama, comebacks, and fierce competition. With Birmingham City hosting Ipswich Town on Friday night, several enticing storylines are already capturing the attention of fans and pundits alike.

Key Storylines to Watch

Wrexham’s Ambitious Leap: Will Wrexham, owned by Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, make it four consecutive promotions? With their undeniable momentum, the team aims for the ultimate goal: a dream run to the Premier League.

Relegation Recovery: Three clubs—Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton—have tasted relegation from the Premier League. Can they all bounce back immediately, or will some struggle to regain their footing in the Championship?

Sheffield Wednesday’s Woes: Has a chaotic summer left Sheffield Wednesday already facing the threat of relegation? Early concerns suggest they might not be prepared for the challenges of the second tier.

Watford’s Managerial Carousel: How many managers will Watford change before this season ends? Such transitions have become a hallmark at Vicarage Road, creating intrigue around the club’s stability.

Championship Title Contenders

Who Will Take the Crown?

Ipswich City as Favorites: Most experts see Ipswich as the strong favorites for the Championship title. Commentator Gregg Evans points out that despite losing Liam Delap to Chelsea, Ipswich has the right mix of talent and strategy, thanks to manager Kieran McKenna’s leadership.

Leicester’s Quality Counts: Some believe Leicester, despite a disastrous Premier League season, have the personnel to challenge. Their squad is teeming with second-tier-ready talent; Andrew Pigott comments on their potential, assuming they can sidestep further troubles, such as a looming points deduction.

Wrexham’s Playoff Push: For many, Wrexham is a likely candidate for the playoffs, with rich recruitment aligning with their recent winning momentum, although outright promotion may be a stretch this season.

Automatic Promotion and Playoffs

Evans’s Predictions: He projects Leicester to claim second place and for Wrexham to shine in the play-offs.

Sutcliffe’s Counterpoint: He hints at Birmingham City as a contender for second, while expecting Leicester’s playoff ambitions could be thwarted by their points situation.

Weatherspoon and Buckingham: Both experts echo optimism for Coventry City as playoff hopefuls, highlighting their fixture advantages and solid performances under new manager Frank Lampard.

Relegation Predictions

Who Faces the Drop?

Sheffield Wednesday in Trouble: There’s a prevalent sentiment that Sheffield Wednesday might be doomed this season, with Pigott asserting a bleak outlook for the club.

Hull City and Oxford United: Both teams are considered precarious, with Hull having narrowly avoided relegation last season, and Oxford’s struggle for survival expected to weigh heavily as they adapt to Championship challenges.

More Predictions: Evans predicts a tough season for Norwich City alongside the previously mentioned teams. The division’s competitiveness could see multiple clubs nervously glancing over their shoulders.

Wrexham’s Prospects

Expectations for the New Kids

Sutcliffe’s Mid-Table View: Wrexham is projected to have a mid-table finish in their first Championship season—a realistic goal considering their rebuilding efforts and need for further recruitment.

Evans’s Optimism: Evans believes they’ll leave a good impression thanks to recent key signings.

Weatherspoon’s Cautious View: They’re a top-half candidate but face a steep learning curve against established teams.

Concerns of Established Clubs

Relegated Clubs: Southampton’s championship squad boasts undeniable talent, but with psychological scars from their last Premier League stint, how they adapt remains uncertain. Leicester confronts potential punishment but also poses a strong challenge.

Promoted Clubs’ Dynamics

Birmingham City’s Ambitions: Buoyed by their recent promotion, Birmingham aims high under the management of Chris Davies, who might lead them to a top-six finish.

Charlton Athletic: Some experts have mixed feelings. Although they’ve made solid signings, their succession in a higher division remains suspect against more established teams.

Managers and Player Spotlights

Managers to Watch for Premier League Interest

Mousinho and McKenna: Potential managerial talent includes John Mousinho at Portsmouth, whose performance is likely to attract attention. Meanwhile, Ipswich’s Kieran McKenna is also a name to monitor for future openings in the Premier League.

Anticipated Player Highlights

Tommy Doyle: A key name in the mix is Birmingham’s Tommy Doyle; experts believe he can shine in the Championship due to his youthful exuberance and Premier League experience.

Louie Barry: With Sheffield United, Barry is expected to be a breakout star, driven to prove himself after a troubled previous season.

Games Not to Miss

Anticipated Matchups

Birmingham vs. Ipswich Tonight: Kicking off another thrilling season is the tilt between Birmingham and Ipswich; a barometer for early performance expectations.

Southampton vs. Portsmouth: Set for September 14, this clash returns after a six-year hiatus and promises to be packed with intensity.

Wrexham vs. Swansea City: Also on the radar is the Wrexham-Swansea matchup, marking their first meeting in nearly two decades.

East Anglian Derby

Ipswich’s April Showdown: A mid-April highlight—Ipswich’s local derby against Norwich—could be pivotal for both promotion dreams and regional bragging rights.

As the Championship season unfolds, countless narratives will develop. With exciting matches and emerging stars, the drama is just beginning, promising a thrilling rollercoaster ride for fans across the country.