Championship 09/10

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Much will be expected of the three clubs relegated from the Barclays Premier League when the new Coca-Cola Championship season kicks off.

All eyes will be on Newcastle after a miserable season of turmoil on and off the pitch but of the three teams relegated in 2007-08, only Birmingham managed to secure promotion last season.

The previous season Charlton, Sheffield United and Watford all failed to regain their places in the top flight.

Middlesbrough will be expected to mount a challenge in what will be a big season for manager Gareth Southgate while it could be a period of transition for West Brom, who were relegated in their first season back in the top flight and have since lost manager Tony Mowbray to Celtic.

There will be plenty of challengers also looking to make an impact and push for a place at the top table.

Skysports.com looks at each team's chances.

BARNSLEY

Manager: Simon Davey

Position last season: 20th

Ground: Oakwell

Capacity: 23,176

Players in: Onome Sodje (York, free), David Preece (Odense, free)

Players out: Dennis Souza (Al-Sailiya Sport Club, free), Marciano Van Homoet (released), Diego Leon (Las Palmas, free), Kyle Letheren (released), Heinz Muller (FSV Mainz, £600,000)

Key man: Iain Hume

Chances: Success for Barnsley would be to steer clear of relegation trouble after narrow escapes in each of the last three seasons. But plenty hinges on their key players, especially record signing Iain Hume, to deliver week in, week out in order to achieve this.

Prediction: 23rd

Sky Bet odds to win league: 80/1

BLACKPOOL

Manager: Ian Holloway

Position last season: 16th

Ground: Bloomfield Road

Capacity: 9,731

Players in: Billy Clarke (Ipswich, free), Jason Euell (Southampton, free)

Players out: David Fox (Colchester, free) Marlon Broomes (released), Francesco Carratta (released), Stuart Green (Wycombe, free), Claus Jorgensen (released), Jermaine Wright (released), Ashton Bayliss (released), Matt Kay (released), Shaun Barker (Derby, £900,000)

Key man: Paul Rachubka

Chances: Ian Holloway is out to repair his reputation after a disastrous spell in charge of Leicester which ended in relegation. Keeping Blackpool in the Championship would represent success but the sale of defender Shaun Barker is a significant blow to their survival prospects.

Prediction: 20th

Sky Bet odds: 80/1

BRISTOL CITY

Manager: Gary Johnson

Position last season: 10th

Ground: Ashton Gate

Capacity: 21,804

Players in: Andre Blackman (Portsmouth, free), Dean Gerken (Colchester, undisclosed), David Clarkson (Motherwell, undisclosed), Paul Hartley (Celtic, free), Danny Haynes (Ipswich, undisclosed)

Players out: Chris Weale (Leicester, free), Peter Styvar (Skoda Xanthi, loan), Jennison Myrie-Williams (Dundee United, free), Dele Adebola (Nottingham Forest, free), Scott Murray (Yeovil, free), Izzy Iriekpen (Hamilton, free)

Key man: Marvin Elliott

Chances: City boss Gary Johnson has been busy in the transfer market over the summer in an attempt to build a squad for another push for the play-offs. But, despite the highly-rated Marvin Elliott's return to fitness, they are likely to come up short once again.

Prediction: 10th

Sky Bet odds: 33/1

CARDIFF

Manager: Dave Jones

Position last season: 7th

Ground: Cardiff City Stadium

Capacity: 26,828

Players in: David Marshall (Norwich, undisclosed), Mark Hudson (Charlton, £1.075m), Anthony Gerrard (Walsall, undisclosed), Paul Quinn (Motherwell, undisclosed), Michael Chopra (Sunderland, undisclosed)

Players out: Darren Purse (Sheff Wed, free), Roger Johnson (Birmingham £5million)

Key man: Joe Ledley

Chances: Dave Jones' side will be desperate to banish the memories of last season's play-off heartache when they missed out on a place in the top six on goals scored, but it could be another cruel campaign for fans in the Welsh capital.

Prediction: 7th

Sky Bet odds: 20/1

COVENTRY

Manager: Chris Coleman

Position last season: 17th

Ground: Ricoh Arena

Capacity: 32,609

Players in: Sammy Clingan (Norwich, undisclosed)

Players out: Andy Marshall (released), Donovan Simmonds (released), Robbie Simpson (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Scott Dann (Birmingham, undisclosed), Michael Mifsud (released), Guillaume Beuzelin (released), Kevin Thornton (released), Danny Fox (Celtic, undisclosed)

Key man: Clinton Morrison

Chances: There are certainly worse teams in the Championship than Coventry but Chris Coleman's side could find themselves struggling in the lower realms of mid-table this season. Clinton Morrison's form in front of goal will be crucial to the success of their campaign.

Prediction: 18th

Sky Bet odds: 33/1

CRYSTAL PALACE

Manager: Neil Warnock

Position last season: 15th

Ground: Selhurst Park

Capacity: 26,297

Players in: Darren Ambrose (Charlton, free), Freddie Sears (West Ham, loan), Stern John (Southampton, free)

Players out: Ryan Carolan (released), James Dayton (released), Carl Fletcher (Plymouth, free), Scott Flinders (Hartlepool, free), Paul Ifill (Wellington Phoenix, free), John Oster (released), James Scowcroft (Leyton Orient, free), Shefki Kuqi (TuS Koblenz, free), Jamie Smith (released), David Wilkinson (released), Rhoys Wiggins (Norwich, undisclosed)

Key man: Paddy McCarthy

Chances: Neil Warnock has promised a better stab at promotion this term but it is hard to see a challenge materialising unless on-loan West Ham rookie Freddie Sears can shoulder the burden in attack.

Prediction: 14th

Sky Bet odds: 25/1

DERBY COUNTY

Manager: Nigel Clough

Position last season: 18th

Ground: Pride Park

Capacity: 33,540

Players in: Jake Buxton (Burton, free), Dean Moxey (Exeter, £300,000), Lee Croft (Norwich, free), Ben Pringle (Ilkeston, free), Shaun Barker (Blackpool, £900,000)

Players out: Andy Todd (Perth Glory, free), Mile Sterjovski (Perth Glory, free), Tyrone Mears (Burnley, undisclosed), Emanuel Villa (Cruz Azul, undisclosed), Liam Dickinson (Brighton, undisclosed)

Key man: Rob Hulse

Chances: Nigel Clough's first full season in charge is a much anticipated one. Derby started well under his tutelage last season following his arrival in January but injuries to a clutch of key players depleted the squad and the Rams only narrowly escaped relegation. If they can keep the likes of Paul Connolly, Miles Addison, Robbie Savage, Kris Commons and Rob Hulse fit this time round then Derby can challenge for the play-offs.

Prediction: 13th

Sky Bet odds: 25/1

DONCASTER

Manager: Sean O'Driscoll

Position last season: 14th

Ground: Keepmoat Stadium

Capacity: 15,269

Players in: Quinton Fortune (free), Byron Webster (SIAD Most) Mustapha Dumbuya (free)

Players out: Richie Wellens (Leicester, £1.2million), Jason Price (Millwall, free), Gordon Greer (Swindon, free), Gareth Taylor (Wrexham, free), Darren Byfield (released), Tomi Ameobi (released), Matt Mills (Reading, undisclosed)

Key man: Brian Stock

Chances: Doncaster will finish up closer to the play-offs than the relegation zone if they can reproduce the form they showed since Christmas during the second half of last season. But if they start poorly again they could be in trouble.

Prediction: 19th

Sky Bet odds: 80/1

IPSWICH TOWN

Manager: Roy Keane

Position last season: 9th

Ground: Portman Road

Capacity: 30,311

Players in: Damien Delaney (QPR, undisclosed), Troy Brown (Fulham, free), Lee Martin (Manchester United, undisclosed), Shane O'Connor (Liverpool, free), Colin Healy (Cork City, undisclosed)

Players out: Ivan Campo (released), Tommy Miller (Sheff Wed, free), Billy Clarke (Blackpool, free), Dean Bowditch (Yeovil, free), Chris Casement (Dundee, free), Jai Reason (Cambridge, free), Kurt Robinson (Rushden, free), Matt Richards (released), Dan Harding (Southampton, free), Danny Haynes (Bristol City, undisclosed)

Key man: David Norris

Chances: Expectations are at an all-time high in Suffolk after the appointment of Roy Keane and nothing other than a top-six finish will be deemed good enough at Portman Road. Should have the financial muscle to make that a reality, though some more signings will be needed before the end of August.

Prediction: 3rd

Sky Bet odds: 8/1

LEICESTER

Manager: Nigel Pearson

Position last season: League 1 champions

Ground: Walkers Stadium

Capacity: 32,312

Players in: Robbie Neilson (Hearts, free), Chris Weale (Bristol City, free), Dany N'Guessan (Lincoln, undisclosed), Astrit Ajdarevic (Liverpool, free), Richie Wellens (Doncaster, undisclosed), Wayne Brown (Hull, undisclosed), Jack Hobbs (Liverpool, undisclosed)

Players out: Joe Cobb (Wycombe, free), Barry Hayles (Cheltenham, free), Patrick Kisnorbo (Leeds, free), Billy McKay (Northampton, free)

Key man: Matt Fryatt

Chances: Confidence will be high at the Walkers Stadium after marching to the League One title last season and Leicester will be looking to maintain that momentum and get off to a good start. Manager Nigel Pearson has added strength and depth to his squad with the players he has signed during the summer and a top-half finish is a real possibility for the Foxes on their return to the second tier.

Prediction: 11th

Sky Bet odds: 25/1

MIDDLESBROUGH

Manager: Gareth Southgate

Position last season: 19th in Premier League

Ground: Riverside Stadium

Capacity: 35,041

Players in: Mark Yeates (Colchester, undisclosed), Danny Coyne (Tranmere, free)

Players out: Stewart Downing (Aston Villa, undisclosed), Mido (Zamalek, loan)

Key man: Adam Johnson

Chances: Boro were promoted without too much alarm last time they were at this level, but they could be in for a tougher time this year. A lot depends on whether they manage to address the chronic goalscoring problems that blighted them last year - but the signing of Danny Coyne will at least help them in the goalkeeping department.

Prediction: 4th

Sky Bet odds: 5/1

NEWCASTLE

Manager: tbc

Position last season: 18th in Premier League

Ground: St James' Park

Capacity: 52,387

Players in: None

Players out: Michael Owen (Manchester United, free), Mark Viduka (released), Claudio Cacapa (released), Peter Lovenkrands (released), David Edgar (Burnley, tribunal), Obafemi Martins (Wolfsberg,

Key man: Shola Ameobi

Chances: The Magpies have the fan base and reputation to stroll through this division, but a summer of off-field uncertainty could have a detrimental effect on their season. The expected fire sale took a long time to even start and with still no confirmed manager, they look far from prepared for the challenges ahead.

Prediction: 8th

Sky Bet odds: 6/1

NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Manager: Billy Davies

Position last season: 19th

Ground: The City Ground

Capacity: 30,576

Players in: David McGoldrick (Southampton, undisclosed), Dele Adebola (Bristol City, free), Lee Camp (QPR, undisclosed), Paul Anderson (Liverpool, £250,000), Chris Gunter (Tottenham, £1.75 million), Paul McKenna (Preston, £750,000), Dexter Blackstock (QPR, undisclosed), Joel Lynch (Brighton, £200,000), Radoslaw Majewski (Polonia Warsaw, loan)

Players out: Emile Sinclair (Macclesfield, free), Ian Breckin (Chesterfield, free), Richard Tait (released), Hamza Bencherif (Macclesfield, released), Liam Hook (released), Tom Sharpe (Kidderminster, free), Ryan Whitehurst (Eastwood, free), Paddy Gamble (released), Adam Newbold (released), Joe Heath (Lincoln, loan), Brendan Moloney (Notts County, loan), Shane Redmond (Burton, loan), James Reid (Rushden, loan), Matt Thornhill (Brighton, loan), Mark Byrne (Rushden, loan)

Key man: Paul Anderson

Chances: Nottingham Forest's young squad narrowly avoided relegation last time round and manager Billy Davies has added some much-needed experience to his ranks this summer. Davies' record in the Championship is impressive having twice taken Preston to the play-offs and achieving promotion with Derby. It will probably be to much to ask the Scot to repeat that success in his first full season in charge but a top-half spot could be well within the Reds' reach.

Prediction: 9th

Sky Bet odds: 18/1

PETERBOROUGH

Manager: Darren Ferguson

Position last season: 2nd in League 1

Ground: London Road

Capacity: 15,000

Players in: Lee Frecklington (Lincoln, undisclosed), Tommy Rowe (Stockport, undisclosed), Toumani Diagouraga (Hereford, undisclosed fee), Krystian Pearce (Birmingham, loan), Danny Mills (Crawley, undisclosed), Romone McCrae (Crawley, undisclosed)

Players out: Liam Hatch (Luton, loan), Mark Tyler (Luton, free), Alfie Potter (Oxford, loan), Craig Braham-Barrett (released), Chris Westwood (Wycombe, free), Shane Blackett (Luton, free), Scott Rendell (Torquay, loan)

Key man: Craig Mackail-Smith

Chances: An unknown quantity at this level but in manager Darren Ferguson they possess a leader full of the confidence and drive of his father. A young side who have strolled to back-to-back promotions, they may surprise teams and could find themselves in mid-table should their strikeforce adapt to Championship football.

Prediction: 16th

Sky Bet odds: 33/1

PLYMOUTH

Manager: Paul Sturrock

Position last season: 21st

Ground: Home Park

Capacity: 20,000

Players in: Carl Fletcher (Crystal Palace, free), Bradley Wright-Phillips (Southampton, free), Kari Arnason (free transfer), Reda Johnson (Amiens, undisclosed)

Players out: Jermaine Easter (MK Dons, undisclosed), Emile Mpenza (released), Dan Smith (Eastbourne, free), Roudolph Douala

Key man: Bradley Wright-Phillips

Chances: New ownership at Home Park has brightened the mood over the summer, but much improvement is needed to the squad if Paul Sturrock's men are to steer clear of a battle against relegation this season.

Prediction: 24th

Sky Bet odds: 80/1

PRESTON

Manager: Alan Irvine

Position last season: 6th

Ground: Deepdale

Capacity: 24,000

Players in: Paul Parry (Cardiff, undisclosed)

Players out: Chris Neal (Shrewsbury, undisclosed), Paul McKenna (Nottingham Forest, £750,000), Simon Whaley (Norwich, undisclosed)

Key man: Jon Parkin

Chances: The famous old Lancashire outfit have been out of the top flight since 1961 but they have unearthed another managerial gem in Alan Irvine. He guided Preston to the play-offs last season but his task this time around could be harder after a quiet summer through the entrance door.

Prediction: 15th

Sky Bet odds: 20/1

QPR

Manager: Jim Magilton

Position last season: 11th

Ground: Loftus Road

Capacity: 18,682

Players in: Alejandro Faurlin (Instituto, £3.5million), Adel Taarabt (Spurs, loan), Alessandro Pellicori (Avellino, free)

Players out: Liam Miller (released), Zesh Rehman (Bradford, free), Jake Cole (Barnet, free), Danny Maguire (released), Chris Arthur (released), Damien Delaney (Ipswich, undisclosed), Lee Camp (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), Dexter Blackstock (Nottingham Forest, undisclosed), Jordi Lopez (Swansea, free)

Key man: Akos Buzsaky

Chances: The Championship's billionaires row return for another tilt at the Premier League and if Jim Magilton is still in a job come May they will not be far away.

Prediction: 6th

Sky Bet odds: 14/1

READING

Manager: Brendan Rodgers

Position last season: 4th

Ground: Madejski Stadium

Capacity: 24,161

Players in: Ryan Bertrand (Chelsea, loan)

Players out: Michael Duberry (Wycombe, released), Marcus Hahnemann (Wolves, released), Graeme Murty (released), Leroy Lita (released), Alan Bennett (Brentford, free), Gary Frewen (released), Scott Golbourne (Exeter, free), Tom Hateley (released), Daniel Spence (Salisbury, free), Sam Sodje (released), Kevin Doyle (Wolves, undisclosed), Alex McCarthy (Yeovil, loan), Oliver Bozanic (Cheltenham, loan)

Key man: Marek Matejovsky

Chances: Should have won promotion last time out but fell away terribly after Christmas. Rodgers proved himself one to watch during a short but successful spell with Watford but it could be now or never for a return to the Premier League. An improvement on last season's dire home form is essential but the Royals still should be in the mix for the title.

Prediction: 1st

Sky Bet odds: 12/1

SCUNTHORPE

Manager: Nigel Adkins

Position last season: 6th in League 1

Ground: Glanford Park

Capacity: 9,203

Players in: Josh Wright (Charlton, free), Michael O'Connor (Crewe, undisclosed), Rob Jones (Hibernian, undisclosed), Adam Boyes (York, undisclosed)

Players out: Joe Wilcox (released), Michael Lea (Chester, free)

Key man: Rob Jones

Chances: Iron boss Nigel Adkins will be determined to learn from the experience of being relegated from the Championship the season before last and he feels they are better equipped to stay up this time round. Record signing Rob Jones should be a shrewd acquisition and although they will find it tough, Adkins' men have a good chance of avoiding the drop.

Prediction: 21st

Sky Bet odds: 100/1

SHEFFIELD UTD

Manager: Kevin Blackwell

Position last season: 3rd

Ground: Bramall Lane

Capacity: 32,500

Players in: Lee Williamson (Watford, undisclosed), Kyel Reid (West Ham, free), Andy Taylor (Tranmere, undisclosed), Ched Evans (Manchester City, £3million), Ryan France (Hull, free), Keith Treacy (Blackburn, loan), Kyle Walker (Tottenham, loan), Mark Bunn (Blackburn, loan), Glenn Little (Portsmouth, free)

Players out: Kyle Naughton (Tottenham, undisclosed), Kyle Walker (Tottenham, undisclosed), Jamie Annerson (Rotherham, free), Ugo Ehiogu (released), Danny Webber (released), Ben Starosta (Darlington, free), Keith Quinn (released), Maxime Chanot (released), Nicky Law (Rotherham, free), Sun Jihai (released)

Key man: Brian Howard

Chances: The Blades will be aiming for automatic promotion after suffering play-off final heartbreak in May and will be strong contenders. But they must improve their form at Bramall Lane where they lost five league matches last season.

Prediction: 5th

Sky Bet odds: 12/1

SHEFFIELD WEDNESDAY

Manager: Brian Laws

Position last season: 12th

Ground: Hillsborough

Capacity: 39,812

Players in: Tommy Miller (Ipswich, free), Darren Purse (Cardiff, free), Darren Potter (Wolves, undisclosed)

Players out: Steve Watson (retired), Liam McMenamin (released), Sam Liversidge (released), Kenny Lunt (Hereford, free)

Key man: Darren Purse

Chances: Owls manager Brian Laws overcame more injuries to key players to finish 12th last season and sees no reason why his side cannot challenge for a top-six finish. Darren Purse and Tommy Miller add much-needed experience and if Wednesday's better players can stay out of the treatment room, a mid-table finish is well within their capabilities.

Prediction: 12th

Sky Bet odds: 40/1

SWANSEA

Manager: Paulo Sousa

Position last season: 8th

Ground: Liberty Stadium

Capacity: 20,520

Players in: Nathan Dyer (Southampton, £400,000), Stephen Dobbie (Queen of the South, free), Jordi Lopez (QPR, free)

Players out: Owain Tudur Jones (Norwich, undisclosed), Jason Scotland (Wigan, undisclosed), Chris Jones (Grimsby, free)

Key man: Nathan Dyer

Chances: The Swans took to the Championship like a duck to water last season but they are likely to find it more hard going this time round. The departure of manager Roberto Martinez to Wigan over the summer was a big blow and with leading scorer Jason Scotland following the Spaniard through the exit door their chances of finishing in the top half look to have diminished.

Prediction: 17th

Sky Bet odds: 25/1

WATFORD

Manager: Malky Mackay

Position last season: 13th

Ground: Vicarage Road

Capacity: 18,400

Players in: Scott Severin (Aberdeen, free), Danny Graham (Carlisle, tribunal), Jure Travner (NK Celje, undisclosed)

Players out: Steve Kabba (released), Lee Williamson (Sheffield United, undisclosed), Theo Robinson (Huddersfield, undisclosed), Stuart Searle (MK Dons, free), Al Bangura (released)

Key man: Scott Severin

Chances: New boss Malky Mackay has his work cut out with money still tight and the exit door far busier than the entrance at Vicarage Road. A season of struggle beckons.

Prediction: 22nd

Sky Bet odds: 33/1

WEST BROM

Manager: Roberto Di Matteo

Position last season: 20th in Premier League

Ground: The Hawthorns

Capacity: 27,877

Players in: Simon Cox (Swindon, £1.9million), Gonzalo Jara (Colo Cola, £1.7million)

Players out: Carl Hoefkens (released), Pedro Pele (released), Jared Hodgkiss (released), Paul Robinson (Bolton, loan), Luke Daniels (Tranmere, loan), Sherjill MacDonald (Germinal Beerschot, £650,000), Do-Heon Kim (West Brom to Suwon Bluewings, £360,000)

Key man: Simon Cox

Chances: Roberto Di Matteo's managerial credentials are certain to be tested this season as the Baggies look for a third promotion to the top flight in six years, plenty of fingernails are sure to be discarded at The Hawthorns over the next 10 months but Simon Cox's goals should just clinch it.

Prediction: 2nd

Sky Bet odds: 11/2