The dust has now settled on the 2024/25 Championship season and we’re already itching for the next campaign to get underway.
Leeds United were crowned victors, Burnley were promoted automatically and Sunderland won the play-offs to complete the trio rising to the Premier League. There were contrasting emotions for Cardiff City, Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town, however, as all three teams were relegated to League One.
Coming down from the Premier League to the Championship next season are the three teams that were promoted in 2023/24: Southampton, Ipswich Town and Leicester City. Then there are the three sides rising up from League One: world record holders Birmingham City, dark horses Wrexham AFC and play-off champions Charlton Athletic.
The new season may be months away yet but the excitement is already brewing and there are so many questions we want answered. Will Birmingham spend big again in the summer and soar into promotion contention immediately? Can Wrexham continue their incredible momentum and survive the drop? Who else could be in the fights for promotion and relegation?
It’s tricky to forecast how things could pan out, especially as the Championship is one of the most unpredictable divisions in the world, let alone just in England. But with the excitement brewing, we’ve decided to have a bit of fun and ask artificial intelligence for a prediction.
Using Grok, the AI tool on X (formerly Twitter), we’ve generated a premature but detailed prediction for the 2025/26 Championship table. Without further ado, and make sure you’re prepared for shocks and surprises galore, here’s how Grok reckons the final standings will look come May 2026.
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9. 17th: Hull City (56 points, -10 GD)
Reason: Hull’s poor 2024/25 season and lack of squad cohesion suggest another battle to avoid relegation. They’ll likely stay up but struggle with consistency. | Getty Images
10. 16th: Stoke City (58 points, -8 GD)
Reason: Stoke’s mid-table struggles in 2024/25 and lack of a clear attacking threat point to another season of survival. Their negative goal difference reflects defensive issues and inconsistent scoring. | Getty Images
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11. 15th: Blackburn Rovers (60 points, -6 GD)
Reason: Blackburn’s inconsistent form in recent seasons and reliance on key players like Makhtar Gueye (if retained) suggest a mid-to-lower-table finish. They’re unlikely to face relegation but lack playoff quality. | Getty Images
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12. 14th: Portsmouth (62 points, -4 GD)
Reason: As League One champions in 2023/24, Portsmouth’s return to the Championship was promising, but the step-up in competition and the South Coast derby against Southampton may stretch their squad, leading to a lower-mid-table finish. | Getty Images