- Leeds will be desperate to respond after last season's play-off heartache
- Burnley are looking to bounce back from relegation
- Recommended bets: Leeds to win the Championship

The Championship returns on August 9, with Preston hosting Sheffield United and Blackburn facing Derby.

The Lancashire double-header could set the tone for another dramatic season in what is so often described as the most competitive division on the planet.

Leeds look good for top spot

Leeds were the odd ones out last season, with Leicester and Southampton – the teams they came down with – both being promoted and Ipswich being the side to take the other spot.

It could have been so different. The Whites looked to be the form team heading into May's play-off final but failed to perform at Wembley as Southampton ran out the 1-0 winners.

There were rumours that Daniel Farke could depart this summer but the German has stuck around and looks to have signed well.

Archie Gray, Luis Sinisterra and Glen Kamara are among those who have left, but Joe Rodon has joined permanently and Jayden Bogle looks like a long-term solution at right-back.

Farke has two previous Championship promotions on his CV and after overseeing plenty of positives last season, his side are 7/2 to take the Championship title back to Elland Road.

Patience needed but Parker can inspire Burnley

Among the other sides to go up could be Burnley, who are 8/1 to repeat their 2022-23 Championship title victory, as they also have a boss who knows how to win promotion in the recently appointed Scott Parker.

Like Farke, Parker has two promotions on his CV, guiding both Fulham (2019-20) and Bournemouth (2021-22) up from the Championship and although the fans have not universally hailed his arrival due to the perception that he favours negative tactics, his record speaks for itself.

The 43-year-old's pragmatic approach is at odds with his predecessor Vincent Kompany, who was criticised for failing to adapt his tactics. Parker will not hesitate to tweak things and is unlikely to be swayed by criticism if results are going his side's way.

Mike Tresor and Maxime Esteve have joined permanently after encouraging loans last season and for all the trauma of their Premier League results, the Clarets' young team will have learned from the experience.

Burnley have a tough opening run of fixtures but can build momentum through the autumn and might be better suited to the 2/1 on offer for them to be promoted.

Hatters and Blades keen to bounce back

Luton and Sheffield United are the other teams who were relegated and are 11/1 and 12/1, respectively, to win the Championship title.

The Hatters have raised funds through the sales of Ross Barkley and Ryan Giles, while the Blades have made some interesting moves with Kieffer Moore and Callum O'Hare both excellent Championship players with potential.

Middlesbrough are 14/1 to win the Championship and 5/4 to be promoted in what could prove Michael Carrick's final season after doing a fine job so far at the Riverside.

Prediction

The Championship is famously celebrated as the most competitive division in the world are there are several signs for who will be pushing for top spot.

However, Leeds stand out. They have the players, coach and motivation and can go all the way.

Burnley are also fancied, but the Whites are the team to watch out for.

Back Leeds to win the Championship at 7/2 with LiveScore Bet