NTT20's Championship Preview: Club-By-Club Cheat Sheet
Get to know the Championship squads and see what fans have to say about their teams ahead of the new season.
Welcome to the Championship Cheat Sheet, a club-by-club rough guide to all 24 squads in the second tier. We’ve published this piece back-to-back with the results of our Fan Survey, and you can find all of our season previews below.
The curtain-raiser is upon us. The mouth waters. The brain mulls. Which teams are primed to set the early pace? Who is the sheep in wolf’s clothing? Who are the dogs and who the dark horses?
It’s a division that can be less surprising than its billing as ‘the most unpredictable league in the world’, but that isn’t to say the script is safe this season. In 10 years of NTT20, we’ve seen double promotions, double relegations and everything in between.
The stage is set. It’s time to meet the cast.
Cheat Sheet Explained:
Squad Depth Charts: These are not a representation of every club’s formation, but a way of visualising which teams look well-rounded, or where holes may exist. We’ve allocated players to roles based on historical precedent, although some positions – especially LCB/RCB or LCM/RCM – refer to which foot they favour.
Average Predicted Finish: Compiled from our pre-season survey, in which supporters of each club predicted their final league position.
Watch Out For: A spotlight on a young breakout candidate or underrated talent.
View From the Fans: Hopes, fears and realism, direct from supporters.
Championship Preview: Cheat Sheet
Average predicted finish: 5th
Watch out for: Zaid Betteka (AM/LW)
Fan view (Jack Styles): I’m confident, if not quite as confident as a lot of Blues fans are right now. I’m a big fan of the recruitment, and I think there’s a lot to be said for having the wind behind us. For the first time in probably 23 years, we’re going into a season with the entire club singing from the same hymn sheet. I think top two is possible, but I don’t want to set those expectations when a top-six finish would absolutely be a success.
Average predicted finish: 16th
Watch out for: Igor Tyjon (ST)
Fan view (Chris Alfred): Blackburn fans are bracing themselves for familiar frustration under the ever-enigmatic Venky’s ownership. Despite Valérien Ismaël’s fresh ideas of high pressing and openness to younger players, history looks set to repeat itself. Key players such as Lewis Travis, Sondre Tronstad and Dominic Hyam are all in the final year of their contracts and director of football Rudy Gudeste seems unable to secure extensions. Transfer targets appear out of thin air and vanish just as quickly, like accountability in Pune. The season will likely end with a mid-table finish, a managerial change, and a club statement promising “ambition” and “long-term vision,” which in Venky-speak means “we’ve found another coach who doesn’t ask for signings”.
Average predicted finish: 9th
Watch out for : Elijah Morrison (LWB)
Fan view (Ally): I’m optimistic and excited about a more lively style of play and the integration of academy players into the first team under Struber. I’m hoping to challenge for the play-offs, but I’d be OK with a top-half finish and promising signs for the following season.
Average predicted finish: 17th
Watch out for: Miles Leaburn (ST)
Fan view (Robby): With a solid transfer window and smart additions clearly improving the squad, I genuinely think we’ll be competitive. Nathan Jones knows the Championship, knows how to get results, and with his structure in place I’m confident we won’t be near the bottom. A mid-table finish feels realistic, or better if we gain early momentum.
Average predicted finish: 5th
Watch out for: Kai Andrews (CM)
Fan view (Gavin Horsfall): Everything’s in place. This is season four-ish of the ‘New City’ under Doug King. All feels upward: recruitment, manager, thriving fan base, and infrastructure. We’re closer to the Premier League than ever; we just need to cross the line, and it’s there for us to take.
Average predicted finish: 10th
Watch out for: Charles Ebuka Agbawodikeizu (ST)
Fan view: John Eustace has proven himself at this level with Birmingham and Blackburn, and kept the Rams up. He’s loved here from his playing days and has a strong connection to the club. I can’t see a world where fans or the owner (who’s also a fan) turn on him. He may be the most secure manager in the Championship.
Average predicted finish: 18th
Watch out for: Cathal McCarthy (CB)
Fan view (Danny): Another chaotic summer. I like what I’ve seen of Sergej Jakirović, and he’s the only real cause for optimism. With current transfer restrictions, staying up would be a great achievement, but if we’re hovering above relegation at Christmas, I expect him to be sacked due to the owner’s unrealistic expectations. It’s never dull in ’ull.
Average predicted finish: 2nd
Watch out for: Cameron Humphrys (CM)
Fan view (Jacob P): Can a good squad match belief and momentum? At centre-back, left wing and in attacking midfield, you could argue we have the league’s best options. In midfield, we’re two bodies short, and up front we’re a George Hirst injury away from being light. But I trust the recruitment team to fill the gaps, especially with our financial backing and scouting network.
Average predicted finish: 6th
Watch out for: Jeremy Monga (LW)
Fan view (Oliver Ford): The club’s in a bit of disarray off the pitch due to FFP. There’s no clear direction as there was before: it’s been a struggle since the passing of Khun Vichai and the transition to being a bigger club. I’m hoping that relegation sparks change. Still, we attract quality players and managers. A top-six finish would be a solid season of stabilisation – and, hopefully, fun.
Average predicted finish: 8th
Watch out for: Law McCabe (CM)
Fan view (Dan): This is shaping up to be a strange season. Rob Edwards isn’t an inspiring appointment, but his backroom staff is promising. We need a squad overhaul, especially in midfield if Hayden Hackney leaves – Dan Barlaser isn’t up to it, and we may be down to just Aidan Morris and two youth players in midfield – while at centre-back, two of our main options are frequently injured. We’re thin. I expect another inconsistent season, but with lower expectations than last year. A 10th-place finish wouldn’t surprise me.
Average predicted finish: 7th
Watch out for: Alfie Massey (CM)
Fan view (Brian): Retention will be key with an outside look at the playoffs. Keep Japhet Tanganga and Mihailo Ivanovic, and continue to develop Femi Azeez, and 65 to 68 points might be enough for 6th. More likely, we’ll struggle to break down teams who sit deep and we’ll finish mid-table again.
Average predicted finish: 6th
Watch out for: Oscar Schwartau (AM)
Fan view (Mel): I start the season optimistic. We have good owners willing to invest, a clear strategy, and a proven manager. After last year’s confusion, we’re targeting the play-offs. Progress finally feels possible.
Average predicted finish: 17th
Watch out for: Jack Currie (LB)
Fan view (Ivo): The bottom half of the Championship is a unique kind of hell. I’m cautiously optimistic we’ll solidify as a mid-table team, but we need key signings – especially a strong, goal-scoring centre-forward [Nik Prelec and Will Lankshear have since been signed]. I love Mark Harris for his passion, but we need someone to compete with him and give him a rest.
Average predicted finish: 14th
Watch out for: Adrian Segecic (AM)
Fan view (Christopher Thompson-Moat): I’m hopeful we continue a positive trajectory sustainably. We needed to strengthen and we have, to a great extent. In Rich Hughes and John Mousinho we trust. A repeat of last season – avoiding relegation with two games to spare – would be acceptable.
Average predicted finish: 16th
Watch out for : Kacper Pasiek (LB)
Fan view (Greg): We’ve almost no chance of sustaining a promotion challenge due to the huge financial gap between Championship clubs. We hope for a decent season, a few big wins, and avoiding relegation. We are the one and only North End!
Average predicted finish: 14th
Watch out for: Esquerdinha (LB)
Fan view (Charlie B): I think we’re underrated. We’ve made good additions with the qualities that we lacked – athleticism, pace and EFL experience. The season depends on whether the new French guy in charge is a revelation or not. We could make the play-offs… or we could go down.
Average predicted finish: 4th
Watch out for: Femi Seriki (RB)
Fan view (Joseph Clift): Excitingly unpredictable. We have no idea whether Rubén Sellés' style will storm the league or crash and burn. I expect more losses but also better entertainment. It’s a big season for Callum O’Hare, whose pressing suits the new system.
Average predicted finish: 23rd
Watch out for: Pierce Charles (GK)
Fan view (Adrian Smith): What an absolute mess. Everything depends on the takeover – or lack of one.
Average predicted finish: 3rd
Watch out for: Joshua Quarshie (CB)
Fan view (Adam Priestly): It depends on who we keep and who we buy. Will Still is exciting and has proven himself abroad. Ross Stewart could be key if fit. Damion Downs looks a great addition.
Average predicted finish: 13th
Watch out for: Ashley Phillips (CB)
Fan view (Liam Hancock): We’ve finished between 18th and 14th every season since relegation, and I don’t see that changing. I’m not convinced by the squad. I like Mark Robins, but if he starts slowly – as he did with Coventry – then he could be gone by Christmas. Another mediocre season seems likely.
Average predicted finish: 9th
Watch out for: Sam Parker (RW/RWB)
Fan view (Jordan): Our first objectively good transfer window since the Steve Cooper days: we’ve signed in-demand players who fit our system and will be missed by their previous clubs. I do worry about Alan Sheehan being found out now that he’s permanent, and backroom churn doesn’t help, but the squad is clearly more motivated than it was under Luke Williams.
Average predicted finish: 8th
Watch out for: Pierre Dwomoh (CM)
Fan view: Quietly positive. Gino [Pozzo] seems to be addressing key areas and keeping top players. If Louza, Baah and Chak stay fit, and we land a top striker and a winger, a play-off push is doable, but there’s little depth for an automatic promotion bid. It could fall apart quickly.
Average predicted finish: 7th
Watch out for: Harry Whitwell (CAM)
Fan view (Harry March): One of the EFL’s most consistent clubs, trying to rebuild after a turbulent decade. The new owners are repairing past damage, and the appointment of Ryan Mason reflects that. He’ll be given time. This season might come too soon, but we’ll be competitive and fighting for the top six.
Average predicted finish: 9th
Watch out for: Harry Ashfield (CAM)
Fan view: I’m confident that we can finish above mid-table. We’re strong across the board and still adding players. My only concern is only having three stands, because our home form and atmosphere matter so much.
Huge thanks to everyone who filled in the survey – your input and knowledge shaped all of our 25/26 preview content. And big love to the NTT20 Squad for your constant support.
No one thinks they'll finish below 17th except Wednesday - lovely bit of fan bias 😅
Oliver Dovin, not Oscar. I would certinaly add Norman Bassette to our front options.