Burnley and Wolverhampton Wanderers dropped into English football’s second tier after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season. That trio – which, for the first time in four years, was not made up of the same three clubs that had won promotion the season before – will all be desperate to bounce straight back at the first attempt.

Meanwhile, Lincoln City, Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers would surely be more than content with consolidation after securing their Championship status on the back of impressive League One campaigns. For those clubs, simply keeping their heads above water and establishing themselves at a higher level may be viewed as success.

However, if the Supercomputer’s projections, courtesy of Opta, are to be believed, there could be plenty of twists and turns ahead. The Championship rarely follows a script and has a habit of throwing up surprises when least expected, and this predicted final table suggests several clubs may be in for a rollercoaster ride. In fact, the standings look markedly different from how many supporters and pundits would have expected the season to unfold.

Relegation Places

Stoke City spent big in the 2026 summer transfer window, with Ethan Galbraith and George Hirst among the players that arrived for big money. However, following a poor start to the campaign, they are being predicted to finish rock bottom with 48 points. They are joined in the drop-zone by Preston North End and Lincoln City.

Unfortunately for Lincoln, they are the only club who are riding the crest of promotion that are tipped to be taken straight back down 12 months on. They are set for a tough campaign, having lost manager Michael Skubala to Bristol City in the off-season.

Bristol City have firmly established themselves in the English second tier, qualifying for the playoffs in the 2024/25 season. However, despite success in recent years, the Supercomputer thinks they will just about survive a relegation battle this time round.

Cardiff City, Bolton Wanderers and Watford are also tipped to feel the fear of the dotted line creeping up on them at various stages of the season, though they are expected to keep themselves safe. With just two points separating 18th from 21st, nobody in the bottom half will be able to rest on their laurels.

Mid-table Security

Charlton Athletic enjoyed a tremendous start to the 2026/27 campaign, picking up victories against Derby County and West Ham United. The Supercomputer thinks they won’t be able to maintain their early form, though, and finish in 17th on 60 points.

Also expected to finish on 60 points are Queens Park Rangers and Derby County. A 15th-place finish would be a huge disappointment for the Rams, who narrowly missed out on the playoffs last season.

Just above Derby are Portsmouth, while Norwich City, Blackburn Rovers and Tom Brady’s Birmingham City round out a cluster of sides seemingly destined for a season of treading water. Barring a surprise run, all four look set to drift through the campaign with little danger of either a promotion charge or a relegation battle.

Race For Playoffs

The 2026/27 season will be the first year in which six teams qualify for the playoffs, expanded from four.

Wrexham narrowly failed to make the playoffs last season as they finished seventh. They are again expected to miss out, with the Supercomputer predicting them to finish 10th with 64 points.

That will be hugely disappointing for Rob Mac and Ryan Reynolds’ side, who broke their transfer record to sign Anthony Patterson from Sunderland last summer.

Also just missing out on the top eight, according to the Supercomputer, is Wrexham’s Welsh rivals, Swansea City.

Sheffield United endured a torrid campaign in 25/26. At one point, it looked as if they would have a battle on their hand to maintain their Championship status. They eventually finished mid-table, and they are predicted to qualify for the playoffs this time round.

Burnley, who were relegated from the Premier League in 25/26, are expected to finish seventh with 67 points, two points behind West Bromwich Albion in sixth.

Three teams are being predicted to finish the campaign on 73 points: Southampton, Middlesbrough and West Ham United.

Southampton are predicted to make the top six despite starting the campaign on -4 points after being punished for spying on other teams. Middlesbrough, who were beaten by Hull City in the playoff final in May, will have to go through the playoffs again if they are to reach the promised land.

While West Ham are expected to miss out on automatic promotion after a dismal start to the campaign. The Hammers were the favourites in the eyes of many to win the Championship and return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. However, an opening day draw against Burnley at Turf Moor and a shock 2-1 defeat to Charlton means they finish outside the top two.

Action Images/Andrew Couldridge via Reuters

There’s no surprise that Wolves are being predicted to finish in the top two. They boast an enviable mix of youthful excitement and older wiser players, so with the resources at their disposal, it would be a shock if they didn’t get that automatic promotion place.

Millwall are being tipped to win the Championship and earn promotion to the Premier League for the first time in their history. The Lions have made a great start to the campaign, winning each of their opening two matches.

The Supercomputer thinks Alex Neil’s side will maintain their form and go on to top the Championship, finishing three points clear of Wolves.