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The Championship is all the time enthralling, and there’s no motive why the 2024-25 season must be any totally different.
Since its rebranding in 2004, there have been 14 totally different winners within the second tier. Half of these former champions shall be competing within the newest version.
Thirty-eight totally different groups have completed within the high six of the Championship. In that very same interval, the Premier League has solely had 15, displaying simply how aggressive this division is.
However of equal curiosity, the battle to stay within the second tier is all the time intriguing.
Right here, we use Opta knowledge to pick the important thing storylines.
Leeds out to rectify play-off woes
Leeds, who misplaced to Southampton within the play-off ultimate, turned the one group to build up 90 factors in a season but fail to safe promotion, with Leicester Metropolis and Ipswich City ending on 97 and 96 respectively.
Whereas the numerous losses of Crysencio Summerville and Archie Grey will show to be a bitter blow, Daniel Farke nonetheless has an abundance of expertise at his disposal.
Georginio Rutter stays a Leeds participant, and was a vital half of their (finally doomed) promotion push, rating eighth for essentially the most objectives and assists within the division final yr (22).
Georgi! That’s filthy! pic.twitter.com/BdTER2cDdd
— Leeds United (@LUFC) August 3, 2024
However, relegated trio Sheffield United, Burnley and Luton City will pose a big risk to Leeds’ title ambitions, as they hope to return to the Premier League on the first try.
All three golf equipment have managed to maintain the vast majority of their squads from final season intact, with the one vital change coming within the dugout at Turf Moor.
Scott Parker returns to administration following Vincent Kompany’s departure to Bayern Munich, and boasts a powerful pedigree from his time within the second tier.
Parker has received two promotions from the Championship with Fulham and Bournemouth, triumphing in 48 of the 92 video games he has managed within the division (D25 L19).
We’re delighted to announce that Scott Parker has been appointed because the Membership’s new head coach.
Welcome to Burnley, Scott! @FootballManager
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 5, 2024
Norwich Metropolis additionally look sturdy contenders, having completed because the Championship’s fifth-highest scorers final yr with 79 objectives, however the lack of Gabriel Sara is critical.
Sara’s inventive aptitude noticed him produce 121 possibilities, solely bettered by Sorba Thomas (123) and Leif Davies (125), as he completed the marketing campaign with 13 objectives and 12 assists.
Mark Robins and Coventry Metropolis may also be proper within the combine after ending within the high 10 within the final two seasons, together with a memorable FA Cup run final time period.
Rooney to maintain the Pilgrims afloat?
On the reverse finish of the desk, all eyes shall be on Wayne Rooney as he embarks on his newest managerial enterprise, this time with Plymouth Argyle.
Rooney endured a disastrous tenure with Birmingham Metropolis final season, profitable two of his 15 video games in cost (D4 L9), surviving simply 83 days within the St. Andrew’s dugout.
The 38-year-old has carried out properly within the Championship beforehand, although, nearly preserving Derby County up through the 2021-22 season regardless of a 21-point deduction.
However arriving at a facet that received the second-fewest variety of away video games (three) and in addition shipped 70 objectives final time period, Rooney’s job at Residence Park is a tricky one.
The gaffer https://t.co/RYG9a1IqVQ pic.twitter.com/cLflDVYMka
— Plymouth Argyle FC (@Argyle) August 1, 2024
Rooney’s former membership Derby, together with Portsmouth and Oxford United, are the brand new boys, and so they have been welcomed into the Championship with a troublesome opening spherical of fixtures.
Whereas the Rams’ begin is barely kinder, with an away journey to Blackburn Rovers adopted by a house recreation towards Middlesbrough, Portsmouth and Oxford weren’t so fortunate.
Pompey journey to Leeds for his or her opening encounter, and so they face the three relegated Premier League sides of their opening seven fixtures.
Oxford’s 25-year look forward to second-tier soccer sees them begin at crushed play-off semi-finalists Norwich, with video games towards Burnley and Luton following quickly after.
Blackburn’s upcoming season largely hinges on whether or not high scorer Sammie Szmodics stays at Ewood Park following his stellar performances within the division final yr.
Szmodics scooped the Golden Boot final season with 27 objectives in 44 appearances, outperforming his anticipated objectives (xG) by 4.6 whereas additionally creating 49 possibilities.
The 28-year-old has been linked with a transfer away from the membership and may Rovers lose his objectives, it might show to be a troublesome 9 months.
Tyrhys Dolan and Arnor Sigurdsson provide a distinct type of attacking risk, however the pair managed simply 10 objectives between them within the division final marketing campaign.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Alfie Doughty – Luton
One of many standout performers for Luton final season was full-back Alfie Doughty, and he shall be key once more for the Hatters this season.
Doughty registered two objectives and eight assists and was one among many gamers anticipated to depart Kenilworth Street this switch window, although for now he has stayed put.
The 24-year-old tried essentially the most crosses (340) within the Premier League, 89 of which have been accomplished, which was the joint-highest alongside Pascal Gross.
Joe Rodon – Leeds
Whereas Leeds have offered Summerville, Grey and Glen Kamara, they’ve strengthened with the arrival of one among final yr’s standout performers.
Joe Rodon made a mortgage change from Tottenham everlasting after serving to Leeds maintain 19 clear sheets in his 46 appearances.
The Welsh worldwide received extra aerial duels (132) than anybody within the Leeds squad final yr, whereas 3,050 accomplished passes was a complete solely bettered by fellow defensive companion, Ethan Ampadu (3,138).
Matt Grimes – Swansea
Matt Grimes has change into a mainstay within the Swansea facet after three consecutive mortgage spells and, below the steering of Luke Williams, the midfielder completely matches the previous Notts County supervisor’s possession-based type of play.
Grimes tried the fifth most passes within the Championship final yr (3,714), finishing 3,291 of these for a move accuracy of 88.61%.
He additionally made 535 passes into the ultimate third, a complete solely bettered by new Stoke Metropolis goalkeeper Viktor Johansson (641) throughout his time with Rotherham.
Macaulay Langstaff – Millwall
One participant that shall be trying to make his mark within the Championship this season is new Millwall striker, Macaulay Langstaff.
Signed from Notts County, Langstaff scored 28 instances final season, claiming his third Golden Boot in as a few years whereas averaging a purpose each 143 minutes.
Regardless of underperforming his xG by 4.33 and lacking essentially the most huge possibilities in League Two final yr (29), ought to he be given the service, he ought to tally up the objectives.
Jack Clarke – Sunderland
After being tipped for a transfer to the Premier League for a lot of final yr, Jack Clarke might be the distinction between a superb season, or an excellent season for Sunderland.
Clarke netted 15 objectives in 33 league appearances earlier than an ankle damage halted his scoring streak, lacking six video games and failing to search out the again of the online upon his return.
The 23-year-old created the seventh-highest variety of possibilities (91) within the division final season, whereas additionally finishing essentially the most dribbles (148 from 267 tried), 47 greater than Participant of the Season Summerville (101).
