Burton Albion: Sky Bet Championship season preview 2016/17

All the transfer news, opinion, predictions and odds ahead of Burton Albion's 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship campaign.

Last year's finish: 2nd (League One)

Manager: Nigel Clough

Title odds: 250/1 with Sky Bet

First five games: Nottingham Forest (A), Bristol City (H), Sheffield Wednesday (H), Blackburn (A), Derby (H)

Players In: Ryan Delaney (Wexford Youths, free), Lloyd Dyer (free), Jackson Irvine (Ross County, undisclosed), Kyle McFadzean (Milton Keynes Dons, undisclosed), Chris O'Grady (Brighton and Hove Albion, loan), Ben Turner (Cardiff City, free), Lee Williamson (Blackburn Rovers, free)

Players Out: Anthony O'Connor (Aberdeen, undisclosed), Timmy Thiele (Carl Zeiss Jena, free)

Journo's view - Ashley Wilkinson (@AshWilkinsonBM), Burton Albion correspondent, Burton Mail

Expectation: Few expect Burton to do more than return to League One, but the same was true last season when the Brewers took on the third tier for the first time - and look what happened.

That's not to suggest they can win promotion, but with the signings they have made, they have given themselves the chance of surprising again and fighting for Championship safety.

Most important player: Stuart Beavon may not score 20 goals a season, but you can guarantee he'll be involved in 25-30. Selfless player who is key to everything going forward for Albion.

What an amazing story it would be if Burton stayed up. I think they will, as will all three of the promoted clubs.

Who will win the league? Newcastle

Dark horse: Sheffield Wednesday

One Championship player you'd want to sign: Ross McCormack

Ollie's prediction: 21st

What an amazing story it would be if Burton stayed up. I think they will, as will all three of the promoted clubs. Football is all about these kind of stories. They'll be hard to beat at home - not many teams will fancy playing there.

Sky Bet odds

Burton are expected to face a tough first season in the Sky Bet Championship, with the EFL sponsor making them even-money favourites to face the drop. The Brewers are 8/1 to make light of their unfavourable odds and secure a top-half finish, while they're considered a 150/1 chance to secure promotion to the Premier League at the first time of asking. They're also one of the opening-weekend's biggest priced outsiders at 13/5 for their trip to Nottingham Forest and 28/1 to win their first three games.