Going Up, Going Down: The Championship 18/19

Let’s face it – life hasn’t been the same since Kieran Trippier whipped that free-kick into the top corner against Croatia. Ever since then it has been all grey clouds and rain to hide the tears.

This weekend brings an end to our misery as we can finally put Pogba dabbing with the world cup trophy to the back of our minds and get stuck into EFL action once again as The Championship, League One and League Two all get back under way for the 18/19 season.

Let’s take a look at the teams who will be battling it out for promotion and fighting for survival in The Championship this season:

The Championship

The Premier League dumped another three teams back into the second division last year as Swansea passed the Welsh mantle over to Cardiff, who return to the Premier League again after being demoted in 2014; Stoke and West Brom also find themselves in The Championship after a testing season last time out.

All three teams are seen as favourites to bounce straight back up this season, but there are some strong opposition standing in their way, who may have something to say about that.

Ups

Stoke have managed to keep hold of some of their strongest players since their relegation in the likes of Joe Allen and Ryan Shawcross and most are expecting to see them top The Championship and find their way back in the Premiership division by next summer.

With Tony Pulis manning the reigns at Middlesbrough, the solid, defence-minded manager could see them nick the second automatic promotion place, especially after they have strengthened areas that let them down in the playoffs with players like Adama Traore and Paddy McNair.

Downs

A last gasp Aaron Wilbraham header in the ultimate game of last season saved Bolton Wanderers, but could it simply be delaying the inevitable? Phil Parkinson has worked wonders with a squad that evidently lacks quality and with no big names coming in to start this season, we feel as though Bolton will go out fighting, but inevitably they will be going down swinging.

Hull City struggled last year and found themselves dangling a little too close to the edge too often. Nigel Adkins did a great job with the little he had but after the loss of a lot of starters, including Abel Hernandez, the tigers look toothless going into the new season.

The Championship kicks off on Friday as Frank Lampard’s managerial debut takes place, with Derby heading to reading.

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