Watford as champions, Wednesday going down - Championship 20/21 predictions

New coach Vladimir Ivic is an unknown quantity but the squad is too strong for this division and if they keep the majority of their players they will be difficult to stop.

A weak Championship at the top end this year after the promotion of Leeds and the two richest parachute clubs, and Norwich were preparing for relegation for quite a while. They have made some shrewd acquisitions and will be a force again.

Brentford went so close in 19/20 and will go again despite the fact they will lose talented players, while Bournemouth's squad is deep enough to challenge. Stoke and Cardiff have good managers at this level and their strong defensive approaches will see them win more than they lose.

Wycombe and Rotherham have been promoted above their level due to the mess that was the end of the League One season and will struggle to survive.

Sheffield Wednesday are starting on negative points due to their case with the Football League and it's a long way back from there - though who knows what else will happen in terms of punishments during the season.

Class act on loan from Liverpool last season. Signed a permanent deal.

Best striker in League One last year will get plenty of chances given Brentford's tactical approach.

Bossed this division two years ago and will pull the strings again - if he stays.

They are back at this level for the first time in over a decade and may well have a level of stability that could work well in a league where few teams have a clear outlook for the new campaign.

All-action midfielder who stands out in a struggling team.

officialfootballcritic

Follow @criticfootball_

Norwich

73

Watford

70

Brentford

74

Notts Forest

75

Stoke

61

Bournemouth

71

Cardiff

65

Birmingham

58

Preston NE

60

Swansea

62

Wednesday

58

Championship