Predicted Championship table and where Millwall, QPR and Charlton rank after Benda, Kelman and Kamara transfers
A look at the latest predicted Championship table after a busy few weeks of business.
The new Championship season is now less than two weeks away, and clubs up and down the second tier are stepping up their business as they look to get their respective squad ready before the start of the new season.
Millwall have been busy over the last week, kicking off their business with the loan signing of Steven Benda from Fulham, while QPR have signed Karamoko Dembélé and others, and Charlton Athletic have landed a number of new recruits, including Charlie Kelman and others.
But how have all of those new signings, and indeed the rest of the transfers in the division, impacted the list of favourites? Here we take a look.
Predicted Championship table based on odds
1. Ipswich Town - 4/1
2. Southampton - 11/2
3. Birmingham City - 15/2
4. Sheffield United - 19/2
5. Leicester City - 14/1
6. Coventry City - 14/1
7. Norwich City - 16/1
8. Middlesbrough - 25/1
9. Wrexham - 33/1
10. Watford - 33/1
11. West brom 33/1
12. Stoke City - 40/1
13. Millwall - 40/1
14. Derby County - 50/1
15. Swansea City - 50/1
16. Blackburn Rovers - 50/1
17. Bristol City - 50/1
18. QPR - 66/1
19. Hull City - 70/1
20. Portsmouth - 80/1
21. Preston North End - 100/1
22. Charlton Athletic - 100/1
23. Oxford United - 150/1
24. Sheffield Wednesday - 150/1
What has Nathan Jones said?
Speaking this week after the signing of Charlie Kelman from QPR, Nathan Jones said: “I’m really delighted we’ve been able to sign Charlie. He’s a player we earmarked a long time ago as someone we really wanted to sign.
“With our promotion, it was something we went after really hard. I want to thank the Board and the owners for the support we’ve had in getting this over the line. He’s a goalscorer - which he proved last year. He’s scored 27 goals, played lots of games and he’s a great age. He’s everything we want at Charlton and adds to an already really strong strikeforce that we have.”
What Julian Stephen has said
New QPR boss Julian Stephan told The Guardian last week: “I know the history of QPR, but now we are in a different period. It’s important to remember and to know the history, but it’s also important to live in the present and to build for the future. There is work to do with everybody, with the players, of course, with the management, with the CEO, with the owners, and also with the legends of the club. It’s the responsibility of everybody.
“We know the expectations from the fans – we need to give everything on the pitch, and we need also to create a strong identity. It’s very important, and after that it’s football. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, but you need to give everything.”
What Alex Neil has said
Millwall boss Alex Neil spoke Southwark News after his side’s friendly win over Bromley on the weekend. He said: “I thought we were the dominant side in the game. First half, we created probably four or five good opportunities. Right towards the end of the first half, they had a shot that the keeper saved for us, they had a header from a set-play, they had a corner which was deflected. So I thought the last two minutes of the first half, they got a little bit of momentum behind the ball.
“But all in all, we probably should have taken the lead in the first half. We didn’t, and it was just really a case of being patient and making sure we try and take the next opportunity that comes our way. We scored two very similar goals, we got down the sides of them, cut it back and managed to finish. And that sort of settled the game for us, we’re a bit calmer at that point.”