Sky Bet Championship Preview - Part Two

In the week leading up to the start of the 2015/16 season, dcfc.co.uk continues its analysis of every opponent Paul Clement's side will come up against this season...

In the week leading up to the start of the 2015/16 season, dcfc.co.uk continues its analysis of every opponent Paul Clement's side will come up against this season...

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION

Manager: Chris Hughton

2014/15 League Position: 20th

2014/15 Results Against Derby: 3-0 Loss (A), 2-0 Win (H)

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Joao Teixeira (6)

Summer Signings: Bobby Zamora (Free Transfer), Liam Rosenior (Free Transfer), Tomer Hemed (Transfer from Almeria), Daniel Akindayini (Transfer from Tottenham Hotspur), Vahid Hambo (Transfer from FC Inter Turku), Jack Harper (Transfer from Real Madrid)

Summer Departures: Craig Mackail-Smith (Released), Aaron Hughes (Released), Paddy McCourt (Released), Vitalijis Maksimenko (Released), Kemy Agustien (Released)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 10/1

One to Watch: Jack Harper

Review: Brighton always knew that the 2014/15 season was going to be difficult one. After a disappointing end to what was a good campaign in the 2013/14, when the seagulls lost in the Play Off Semi-finals to Derby, a restructure of the club was in order to signal the next chapter of Brighton’s future.

Sami Hyypiä was named as the new manager, succeeding Oscar Garcia, who resigned after Play Off Semi-final defeat. However, after Hyypiä resigned from his post following a run of just three wins in 22 games, Chris Hughton was charged with reigniting Brighton’s season.

With just over half of the season remaining, Hughton was charged with delivering relegation safety with the club sitting 22nd in the league table.

The former Newcastle United and Norwich City manager’s arrival triggered a succession of vital wins, most notably a convincing 2-0 win over Derby, all of which secured the Seagull’s place in the Championship for the 2015/16 campaign.

Going forward, Chris Hughton has bolstered his squad with a number of exciting additions with most notably Jack Harper from Real Madrid and forward Bobby Zamora returning to the club to strengthen the Seagull’s attacking artillery.

BRISTOL CITY

Manager: Steve Cotterill

2014/15 League Position: 1st in Sky Bet League 1 (Champions)

2014/15 Results Against Derby: 2-0 Loss (H), 3-0 Loss (A) From 2013/14 Season

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Aaron Wilbraham (18)

Summer Signings: Johnathan Kodjia (Transfer from Angers)

Summer Departures: Mark Wilson (Released), Brian Howard (Released), Mathew Bates (Released), Dean Gerken (Released), Lewis Carey (Released), Jordan Wynter (Transfer to Cheltenham Town), Jay Emmanuel-Thomas (Transfer to QPR), Greg Cunningham (Transfer to Preston North End)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 11/2

One to Watch: Aden Flint

Review: Bristol City’s 2014/15 campaign was definitely one to remember as it was the first time since 1955 that the Robins won the League One title.

The arrival of experienced manager, Steve Cotterill, in 2013, was what made the difference for Bristol as he delivered his team to a comfortable safety in his first season and a convincing league title in his next.

The Robins were always one of the favourites to go up last season and they certainly didn’t crumble under the pressure as they went on to claim a league and cup double.

The squad down at Ashton Gate finished eight points ahead of their competition at the top of the table, demonstrating their superiority in the league on a number of occasions including on the last day of the season when they inflicted an 8-2 victory over Walsall at home.

The Robins also lifted the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy title after defeating the same opponents at Wembley.

Cotterill will now be looking towards the opening day of the Championship on August 8th. A few fresh faces are likely to come in to increase depth within the squad.

It is hard to predict how the Robins will rank this season; nevertheless if the last campaign taught us anything with the likes of newly promoted Brentford reaching the playoffs and Wolves narrowly missing out, Bristol City should be, by no means, underestimated.

BURNLEY

Manager: Sean Dyche

2014/15 League Position: 19th Barclays Premier League (relegated)

2014/15 Results Against Derby: 2-0 Won (H), 3-0 Won (A) From 2013/14 Season.

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Danny Ings (11)

Summer Signings: Fredrik Ulvestad (Free from Aalesund), Jelle Vossen (Transfer from Genk), Matthew Lowton (Transfer from Aston Villa), Chris Long (Transfer from Everton), Tendayi Darikwa (Transfer from Chesterfield)

Summer Departures: Ross Wallace (Released), Steven Reid (Released), Cameron Howieson (Transfer to St Mirren), Danny Ings (Transfer to Liverpool), Jason Shackell (Transfer to Derby County), Kieran Trippier (Transfer to Tottenham Hotspur), Alex Cisak (Transfer to Leyton Orient)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 11/4

One to Watch: Scott Arfield

Review: Despite a spectacular 2013/14 campaign which took them back to the promised land automatically, Sean Dyche’s men could not keep hold of their place in the Barclays Premier League as they were relegated following a 19th place finish.

The Clarets’ first season back in the Premier League since 2009/10 was by no means clear cut, though. Key performances, such as the 1-0 win over Manchester City, did not go unnoticed, and they took their survival campaign right down to the last month before their fate was confirmed.

Whilst a busy summer has seen a number of key players leave, Sean Dyche has actively been involved in the market, bringing five players through the door, including the highly-sought after Jelle Vossen, to boost their prospects this campaign.

Manager: Russell Slade

2014/15 League Position: 11th

2014/15 Results Against Derby: 2-2 Draw (A), 2-0 Loss (H)

2014/15 Leading Goalscorer: Kenwyne Jones (11)

Summer Signings: Sammy Ameobi (On Loan from Newcastle United), Jordan Blaise (Free Transfer), Semi Ajayi (Transfer from Arsenal)

Summer Departures: Adam le Fondre (Loan to Wolves), Kevin McNaughton (Released), Danny Gabbidon (Released), Nicky Maynard (Released), Gethyn Hill (Released), Bo-Kyung Kim (Transfer to Wigan), Kane Owen (Released), Ben Nugent (Transfer to Crewe), Charlie Horton (Transfer to Leeds United)

Sky Bet Odds to Be Promoted in 2015/16: 8/1

One to Watch: Peter Whittingham

Review: Relegated from the Barclays Premier League at the end of the 2013/14 campaign, the Bluebirds were tipped as favourites to be challenging for a place back in the top flight.

Last year, though, proved to be a learning curve for Cardiff City. Change was afoot as early as September as Ole Gunnar Soleskjaer was replaced with former Leyton Orient Manager Russell Slade and despite brief respite; Cardiff experienced a particularly tricky spell during the middle of their campaign, winning only one game in 13.

The upcoming season poses a new opportunity to focus on improving where Cardiff fell short last season. Slade, undoubtedly, still has a squad brimming with quality and after having a full summer of working his players, the Bluebirds will be targeting more than just a mid-table berth.