Supercomputer PREDICTS 2026/27 Championship Table

No surprises here. Lincoln City were excellent in League One last season, finishing top of the table with 103 points, but losing head coach Michael Skubala to Bristol City in the interim was a massive blow. On top of this, their exploits in the summer transfer window were also less than stellar.

23. Charlton Athletic

Perhaps a little harsh, but one can’t ignore the fact that Charlton struggled in the Championship last season and haven’t improved an awful lot over the course of the summer. They replaced Lyndon Dykes with Karlan Grant, which isn’t much of an improvement. Danny McNamara could be a decent signing, though, provided he stays fit.

22. Bolton Wanderers

Bolton Wanderers are the final team pegged for relegation by the supercomputer. They demolished Stockport County in the playoff final, but how much will that count for in the Championship? The Trotters have done a good job of shoring up their defence and have no issues with scoring goals, but the division may be just that bit too strong for them this year.

21. Preston

Preston North End are the quintessential Championship mainstay team. They’ve been in the second tier for ten straight years now – the supercomputer thinks they’ll make it 11, but only just. In particular, the signing of Alfie Devine from Tottenham Hotspur could be an exciting one for Lilywhites fans.

20. Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers finished 20th last season and that’s where the supercomputer thinks they’ll end up this season. Consistency, if nothing else. It makes sense, given their lack of squad turnover, but it’ll be interesting to see how Tony Mowbray gets on in his second stint at Ewood Park.

19. Portsmouth

Portsmouth have splashed the cash a bit this summer, but the supercomputer doesn’t think it’ll help them much. We think this placement is harsh – acquisitions such as Odin Bailey, Abu Kamara and Marko Milovanović look very interesting on paper.

18. Cardiff City

Cardiff returned to the Championship at the first time of asking and are expected to consolidate their position in the second tier this year. The highest scorers in League One last season, their efforts in front of goal shouldn’t be an issue – keeping the Colwill brothers was also a major boost to their chances of avoiding the drop.

17. QPR

QPR are always difficult to predict, but it’s hard to see them making much of an impact in the top half of the table this season. Tariq Lamptey stands out as a good signing for them, but one might’ve expected them to further bolster their defensive options after they let in a whopping 73 goals last season.

16. Stoke City

The acquisition of Ethan Galbraith was a brilliant piece of business from Stoke City, but the supercomputer doesn’t think it’ll be enough. For all their financial backing, the Potters have underwhelmed audiences for several seasons on the bounce at this point.

15. Derby County

Derby County were subject to a potential takeover from Turki Alalshikh this summer, though it ultimately fell through. Their activity in the summer has been limited, though the signing of Bobby Clatrk stands out as a solid piece of business. All in all, once again, we feel the supercomputer is being harsh here.

14. Bristol City

Bristol City could really make a serious go of it in the top six this season – we’re not quite sure what the supercomputer is thinking with this placement. Yes, Skubala has no prior Championship experience, but signings such as Sam Tickle and Lorent Tolaj could be real game-changers for the Robins.

13. West Brom

Let’s be frank – West Brom were terrible last season, beating the drop by just four points and finishing 21st. They’ve offloaded the deadwood and spent some smart money to improve their chances this season, but a mid-table finish is probably the best thing they can hope for

12. Swansea City

Swansea have made some good signings in the summer, bringing the likes of Stephen Welsh, Ross Stewart and Joseph Opoku on board, but the loss of Ethan Galbraith will undeniably be a blow. They can probably aspire to something better than mid-table mediocrity, but not in the eyes of the supercomputer.

11. Watford

Watford are at it again – five of their six signings this summer have come from Udinese. It’s hard to determine where they’ll finish, as it always is, so a mid-table finish is probably the safest bet this year. Not only this, they have – surprise, surprise – a new head coach in Alessio Dionisi.

10. Wrexham

Wrexham’s Premier League dreams will have to wait for another year in the eyes of the supercomputer. They missed out on the playoffs by a hair last season, but this year, it thinks they’ll fail to make the top six by a fair margin. Signings such as Ben Whiteman and Danny Imray are solid, if unspectacular.

9. Millwall

Millwall were a bit of a surprise package in the Championship last season, just missing out on automatic promotion. Unfortunately for Lions fans, the supercomputer thinks they’ll be unable to repeat such a feat, though it has got them pegged for a respectable top half finish.

8. Birmingham City

Birmingham City are amongst the most lucrative clubs in the second tier. Playoff should be the aim, but the supercomputer thinks they’ll just miss out this year. They rightfully jettisoned the underwhelming Kyogo Furuhashi and have made improvements elsewhere, but will it be enough?

7. Norwich City

Norwich City could certainly make a go of it in the top six this year. Not in the eyes of the supercomputer, mind you, but only just. The signing of Andre Brooks was a real statement of intent by the Canaries – it’d be surprising if they weren’t up there at the end of this season.

6. Burnley

Of the three teams relegated from the Premier League last season, the supercomputer is expecting Burnley to record the lowest finish in the Championship at the end of the 2026/27 campaign. It might have a point – new head coach Nicky Hayen is an unknown quantity in English football and their transfer window exploits have been less than stellar.

5. Sheffield United

Last season was a disappointing one for Sheffield United, finishing 13th in the Championship table despite holding prior hopes of making the playoffs. Bringing veteran Matt Doherty on board was a good move, but the loss of Andre Brooks will hurt them. Without any further improvements, it’s hard to see the Blades mounting a serious challenge at the top end of the table.

4. Middlesbrough

Middlesbrough made the playoff final last year by proxy, following Southampton’s off-field shenanigans. This year, the supercomputer thinks they’ll make the top six again, which seems like a safe bet. In particular, the signing of Will Lankshear could prove to be a very exciting one. Definitely a team to watch.

3. Southampton

Southampton made no friends last season with their ‘Spygate’ antics, but still proved to be a formidable force under Tonda Eckert. The loss of Shea Charles can only be described as a blow, though – the playoffs are certainly within reach once again, but the top two might end up being a stretch for the Saints.

2. Wolves

Wolves were utterly dismal in the Premier League last season – losing Rob Edwards was also an unexpected kick in the teeth. César Peixoto, their new head coach, has never managed in England before, but arrives with a decent track record. Signings such as Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier were certainly statements of intent, but will they be enough to win promotion? We’ll see.

1. West Ham United

West Ham are pretty much a no-brainer for the top spot. Keeping Jarrod Bowen was an almighty boost for the Hammers – he is a Premier League quality player through and through. Yes, they might’ve lost Crysensio Summerville and Mateus Fernandes, but this was to be expected. We’ll be very surprised if they don’t win the league – and so will the supercomputer.