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Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles may be feeling the pressure after the latest OPTA predictions for the 2025/26 Championship season.
The 2025/26 Championship season is less than a week away from kick-off, and Sheffield United will begin their campaign with a home clash against Bristol City.
Following the disappointment of losing the Championship play-offs last season, Sheffield United’s new ownership group, COH Sports, opted for a change of direction by bringing in Ruben Selles to replace the ever-popular Chris Wilder.
Sheffield United have not recruited heavily this summer, although they have managed to keep hold of several key players, with Gustavo Hamer still at Bramall Lane. In spite of this, predictions have been made ahead of next season that Sheffield United supporters will be pleased to see.
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Sheffield United predicted for Championship title in Ruben Selles debut season
The Blades, despite the agonising defeat at Wembley last season, have been predicted to go one further this season and notch promotion via winning the Championship title.
Via Opta Analyst, Sheffield United have been handed a 41.1% chance at promotion this season – a seismic amount compared to other Championship clubs. In 2nd, Leicester City have been handed a 16% chance, whilst Ipswich Town have a 15.2% likelihood.
Sheffield United have also been given a projected points tally of 80.7.
It is safe to say that anything less than the play-offs would be a disappointment for Sheffield United this season, and they have been given a 65% likelihood of finishing in the Championship top six.
Pressure will now be on Ruben Selles to perform
Following the dismissal of Chris Wilder, it would be expected that Sheffield United boss Ruben Selles would be handed the benefit of time to thrive at Bramall Lane. Some Blades supporters may suggest that this will be a transition season to give the Portuguese man a chance to settle in at the club before there are any concrete expectations of a return to the Premier League.
Especially with very few moves being made in the summer transfer window, Sheffield United have not quite added sufficiently to their ranks. However, Selles could still feel the pressure.
Despite what the supercomputer predicts, Sheffield United are not clear favourites for the Championship title, unless the Blades go on a late spending spree to significantly back Selles.