Birmingham City continued their unbeaten start to life back in the Championship by securing a 1-0 home victory against strugglers Oxford United. It leaves the Blues in a strong fifth place position as they prepare to end August with an away trip to face a recently-relegated Leicester City team at the King Power Stadium.
Elsewhere, West Brom under new boss Ryan Mason, have also started well with two wins and a draw from their opening three matches. The Baggies were held to a 1-1 draw at home to Portsmouth but have shown plenty of encouraging signs in the early weeks of Mason’s time in charge with wins over Wrexham and Blackburn Rovers.
Both sides have plenty of work to do to secure promotion this term but in the early weeks have shown the quality to suggest they can be in contention come the end of the season, particularly with a few strong transfers. But what have the experts at OPTA made of each Championship team so far? Here based on the opening three games, we take a look at their final predicted league table and each team’s projected points tally.
13. Preston North End - 12th
Preston North End were predicted by many to struggle thi year but OPTA thinks they'll finish in the top half with 64 points. | Getty Images
14. Ipswich Town - 11th
Ipswich Town remain the bookies favourites for promotion but OPTA claims they'll miss out on the play-offs with just 66 points. | Getty Images
15. Southampton - 10th
Southampton are expected to finish three points adrift of the play-offs despite being one of the favourites with the bookies for promotion. | Getty Images
16. Birmingham City - 9th
Birmingham City are expected to finish in the top-half with 67 points. However, many supporters will feel they can do better after a summer of big-spending. | Getty Images