Welcome to the first Last Word On Football EFL Championship preview of the season. Every week we’ll bring you a closer look at some of the key fixtures from each matchweek, as well as having a go at predicting the weekend’s results.
Championship Preview: Matchweek 1
Key Games
Luton Town v Middlesbrough
Luton Town and Middlesbrough kick off the EFL season in a late kick-off tonight at Kenilworth Road. The Hatters are facing their first season back in the second tier since relegation at the end of 2006/07.
They have since spent numerous years in non-league but have clawed their way back in fine style, and now they come up against a Middlesbrough side who were in the Premier League as recently as 2017.
Luton have made some excellent signings given their size, including Callum McManaman, an FA Cup winner with Wigan Athletic, and Jacob Butterfield, who has spent time at this level with Huddersfield Town and Derby County.
Whether the abundance of signings can come together straight away to bring success for Graeme Jones’ side remains to be seen, but Boro themselves have a new manager to adapt to in Jonathan Woodgate.
A tight game is certainly in store here.
Bristol City v Leeds United
Bristol City are being widely tipped for a promotion place this season, but Leeds United looked a completely different animal at times last season under Marcelo Bielsa. Sunday’s 4.30pm kick-off is no doubt the game of the weekend as two squads which have been invested in heavily go head-to-head.
Having spent in excess of £15 million this summer, the Robins are certainly doing their best to make an assault on the promotion places, but what’s for certain is that regardless of the result at Ashton Gate, Leeds will be fighting alongside them at the end of the season.
The signing of Tomas Kalas from Chelsea is a key addition to the backline and makes an already solid defence significantly stronger. At the other end, Kasey Palmer, another signing from Chelsea, has the ability to bring goals.
Leeds haven’t spent a penny in transfer fees so far, but such was the quality of their squad last season, they didn’t need to do much. Jack Clarke remains with them after being loaned back to Elland Road following his move to Tottenham Hotspur while Helder Costa’s loan arrival from Wolverhampton Wanderers can provide quality on the opposite flank.
Two teams with such high quality will more than likely cancel each other out, but both are exciting sides to watch as well and goals are always likely.
Predictions
Luton Town v Middlesbrough
This would have been a routine win for Middlesbrough a few years ago, but Luton’s drastic improvement has brought the two closer together than ever before. There’s something about Kenilworth Road under the lights that seems to bring the best out of the Hatters, so they could get off to a winning return.
Luton Town 2-1 Middlesbrough
Barnsley v Fulham
While Fulham haven’t managed to keep all of their stars from last year, they still boast more than enough quality to get past a Barnsley side that will be thankful of survival come the end of the season.
Barnsley 1-3 Fulham
Blackburn Rovers v Charlton Athletic
Many are tipping Blackburn Rovers as dark horses for a play-off spot this season, particularly as it looks as though they will keep ahold of Bradley Dack. Charlton have made some good additions, but away games will prove tough for them, starting at Ewood Park.
Blackburn Rovers 2-1 Charlton Athletic
Brentford v Birmingham City
Pep Clotet’s appointment as manager as Birmingham City could pay off in the long run and provide some much-needed grounding and stability, but Brentford already boasted a talented squad and have only added to it this summer. They should win comfortably.
Brentford 2-0 Birmingham City
Millwall v Preston North End
The Den is always a tough place to visit and that will be no different for Preston North End this weekend. However, Millwall look like they are going to struggle this season. Expect a cagey opener, but these sides will go in opposite directions as the season opens up.
Millwall 1-1 Preston North End
Reading v Sheffield Wednesday
Reading’s pre-season performance against Chelsea certainly caught the eye, despite losing at home to the Blues. It doesn’t mean they’ll suddenly challenge at the top, but it does show what the Royals are capable of, and against a managerless Sheffield Wednesday, they have more than enough ability to turn the screw.
Reading 2-0 Sheffield Wednesday
Stoke City v Queens Park Rangers
Nathan Jones’ first full season in charge of Stoke City starts against a side they should have a comfortable ride against. Stoke aren’t high-scorers though, and Ryan Shawcross’ horror injury in pre-season has left them short at the back. A Stoke win, but not by an easy margin.
Stoke City 2-1 Queens Park Rangers
Swansea City v Hull City
Swansea City spent last season re-consolidating their place in the Championship under Graham Potter and it could be a similar story with Steve Cooper this season. Hull City have a new manager in Grant McCann to adapt to, and with no previous Championship experience in management, that could take time.
Swansea City 1-1 Hull City
Wigan Athletic v Cardiff City
Neil Warnock has signalled that this is likely to be his last year in management and he’ll want to cap that off with one final promotion. It won’t be easy away from home, but Cardiff should get off to a good start in terms of achieving that goal.
Wigan Athletic 0-1 Cardiff City
Nottingham Forest v West Bromwich Albion
Two new managers begin their tenures in this game; Sabri Lamouchi at Nottingham Forest and Slaven Bilic at West Bromwich Albion. Both will be in and around the top throughout – therefore, expect them to cancel each other out here.
Nottingham Forest 2-2 West Bromwich Albion
Bristol City v Leeds United
Bristol City have been teetering on a promotion squad for a couple of years now. This current side seems the best-placed to be able to achieve it. They’ll get the win in this one, but Leeds will bounce back.
Bristol City 2-1 Leeds United
Huddersfield Town v Derby County
Huddersfield Town were effectively doomed in the Premier League before Jan Siewert even took over, so he’s had plenty of time to put his Championship plan into place. Phillip Cocu, meanwhile, is taking charge of Derby County for the first time and could find it difficult early on, especially against a side who now have some Premier League nous about them.
Huddersfield Town 1-1 Derby County
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