Football League 2018/19: Championship Season Preview 

#4 Bolton Wanderers

Bolton narrowly avoided relegation last season

Oh, Bolton, whatever will we do with you? After once again avoiding relegation on the final day of last season, the club descended into chaos once again when the players went on strike before a pre-season game against St Mirren in July. The issue has since been resolved, but Bolton's issues appear to run very deep.

The former Europa League qualifiers have fallen a long way in a very short space of time, and while they have been busy in the transfer market, none of their 10 summer signings are that impressive.

Veteran striker, Clayton Donaldson is probably the most recognizable of their arrivals, but at 34 years old, the former Crewe and Sheffield United man's best days may be behind him.

Bolton effectively stayed up on the basis that there were three teams worse than them last season. I don't see that happening again.

Prediction: 23rd

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#5 Brentford

Keeping hold of Ryan Woods is a priority for Brentford

Brentford is one of many sides who will feel as though they can make a bid for the top six this season, after narrowly missing out on the playoffs last year.

The London based side are entering their fifth year as a Championship side, and if they can keep hold of Ryan Woods, who is attracting the attention of a lot of the bees' rivals, then they will certainly fancy their chances as dark horses.

The losses of Josefzoon and John Egan could have a bit of an effect on Brentford this year, but manager Dean Smith clearly felt as though he was ready to cover them.

The arrivals of Ezri Konsa and Said Benrahma from Charlton and Nice respectively could prove to be great pieces of business.

The Bees are likely to push for the playoffs again this season, and while that is certainly a reachable target for them these days, I feel like they will just fall short.

Prediction: 8th

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#6 Bristol City

Will Ashton Gate finally witness a Premier League promotion?

Last season was an emotional rollercoaster for Bristol City fans. The club briefly held the top spot in the division during the first half of the season but everything went wrong when they lost, live on television, to fellow promotion chasers, Wolves.

The Robins never really recovered from that defeat, and they ultimately ended up finishing 11th in the table.

There were plenty of moments to enjoy along the way, though, as they took three major Premier League scalps in the League cup- defeating Crytal Palace, Stoke, and Manchester United, before falling to Manchester City in the semi-finals.

Manager Lee Johnson has been essential to the club's success, but he may struggle to take City any higher this season, with several of their key players have departed.

Last season's top goalscorer, Bobby Reid has left to Cardiff City, while the always dependable Aiden Flint has signed for Championship rivals, Middlesborough. Joe Bryan has also been linked with a move away from Ashton Gate, with Stoke City being his potential destination.

City has made some impressive signings themselves though, and Mohamed Eisa, who scored 25 goals in 50 appearances for Cheltenham, is a potentially huge threat in the Championship.

Bristol City fell short of the playoffs last year, and given the competition they face this year, it looks as though the same could happen again. That being said, don't be surprised to see them make a surprise appearance in the top six come May.

Prediction: 10th