Update : Carlton Palmer has issues with Leeds United, Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday promotion predictionUpdate : Carlton Palmer has issues with Leeds United, Luton Town and Sheffield Wednesday promotion prediction
Pundit Carlton Palmer believes Leeds United, Luton Town, and Sheffield Wednesday will be promoted from the Championship next season.
It appears that the Championship will be extremely competitive again next season, and with Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton out of the division, there may be an open battle for promotion.
Leicester and Southampton both made rapid returns to the Premier League, and the three teams that were relegated from the top flight this season, Luton Town, Burnley, and Sheffield United, will hope to achieve the same next season.
There were fears among Luton fans that they would lose manager Rob Edwards this summer after he was linked with Ipswich Town, but with Kieran McKenna remaining at Portman Road, the Hatters should be able to keep the 41-year-old, who will be hoping to achieve his second promotion with the club next season.
Burnley won the Championship title in 2022-23, although they are currently without a manager following Vincent Kompany’s move to Bayern Munich, with Scott Parker, Frank Lampard, Liam Rosenior, and Craig Bellamy all being considered.
Sheffield United will be aiming to rebound from a dismal season, but the Blades are unable to conduct business this summer until their takeover is approved, and they will also begin next season with -2 points.
Leeds were defeated 1-0 by Southampton in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium last month, but they will aim for immediate promotion next season under Daniel Fark.
Sheffield Wednesday earned survival after a spectacular turnaround under Danny Rohl, and Owls fans are optimistic that the club will have a much better season after the German signed a new long-term contract.
Carlton Palmer issues Championship promotion prediction
Palmer, speaking exclusively to Football League World, predicted that Leeds and Luton would win immediate promotion next season, while Wednesday might advance through the play-offs.
“It’s very early to start making predictions on who will get promoted from the Championship,” Palmer told the BBC.
“I would argue that the three teams who have been relegated this year are not as strong as the three teams that were relegated from the Premier League last season.
“If you look at the three clubs that got promoted, Leicester, Southampton, and Ipswich, I would place Leeds in that group, and while they did not get promoted, they were very, very strong.
“I believe Sheffield United have a lot of work to do under Chris Wilder this summer; he can’t do anything until the takeover is approved in terms of bringing players in.
“I believe if Luton can maintain Rob Edwards, they will be extremely strong next season. Burnley has good players and will be there or thereabouts because they have parachute money, so you must consider those.
“With Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton rising, if Leeds scores 90 points again this season,
I’m going to pick Leeds to win, and I’m going to pick Luton to make a quick comeback as long as Rob Edwards stays, but I’m not going to pick Sheffield United because I believe they have too much work to do between now and the start of season.
“Burnley should be there or thereabouts, but if you ask me to name the three clubs I believe will get promoted next season, I would say Leeds and Luton, and then I’m going to surprise you by picking Sheffield Wednesday in the play-offs.
Leeds United will be Championship promotion favourites next season
After suffering heartbreak in the play-off final this season, many will expect Leeds to kick on and achieve automatic promotion next term. As Palmer says, if Leeds can replicate their 90-point haul from this season, that should be enough for a place in the top two, but the danger for the Whites is that they could lose some of their best players this summer, including the likes of Crysence.
It is difficult to disagree with Palmer that Luton will be among the promotion contenders next season, and if Burnley get their managerial appointment right, they could be set for a good season given the strength of their squad. Wednesday have had a busy start to the summer with Ben Hamer and Max Lowe arriving at Hillsborough, but it remains to be seen whether owner Dejphon Chansiri will provide Rohl with the funds to bring in the upgrades needed for a promotion push. If Rohl is backed in the transfer market this summer, it could be an exciting season for the Owls, but it seems unlikely that they will be able to challenge for a return to the Premier League just yet.
