Neil Warnock rules out two teams in ‘wide-open’ Championship promotion race in 2025/26

Add as preferred source on Google

We’re just eight days away from the start of the 2025/26 Championship campaign.

Ipswich Town and Birmingham City will start the new season off on Friday 8 August at Portman Road, as Blues look to replicate their record-breaking promotion campaign from League One.

It’s set to be a very exciting Championship season, and supporters will be ready to see their teams back out on the pitch after a three-month hiatus.

After EFL Analysis’ own season preview, predictions from those involved in the game are coming thick and fast, with Neil Warnock the latest to offer his insight into 2025/26.

• READ MORE – Luca Bombino is what Ryan Mason needs as West Brom bid for ‘very good’ USA ace

Neil Warnock makes Championship predictions ahead of new season

Southampton and Ipswich will both fancy themselves for promotion after they were relegated from the Premier League last time out, while Leicester City perhaps have a little bit more work to do due to their financial situation.

Birmingham have made several key signings, although Tom Wagner has played down his side’s chances. Nevertheless, Warnock has spoken about who he believes has a shot at winning promotion from the Championship.

He said (via: talkSPORT): “I think Wrexham and Birmingham, they’ve been paying so much silly money out so they’re going to have a good chance of being up there. My old teams Sheffield United and Middlesbrough, who I managed, they’re always there or thereabouts.

“So, I think it’s going to be wide-open. I think it’ll be wide-open this year.”

When asked about Swansea City’s chances, Warnock continued: “No, no chance.”

Before he was questioned on Derby County’s promotion attempt, simply saying: “No.”

• READ MORE – Neil Warnock now makes managerial U-turn on Sheffield Wednesday after Danny Rohl exit

Birmingham City will be pushing for a top two finish

Ipswich proved in 2023/24 that a side can win back-to-back promotions from League One to the Premier League, and Birmingham will be looking to replicate their opening day opponents in the Championship season.

With players like ‘signing of the summer’ Tommy Doyle, Blues will be in contention. The midfielder has also weighed in on his team’s chances of promotion, but Chris Davies will not want his players to get too far ahead of themselves.

The money that has been spent in the Championship this summer transfer window has been extraordinary and this has brought clubs much closer together.

Nevertheless, only time will tell who truly has the credentials to take advantage and push for promotion in 2025/26.