Supercomputer predicts 2026/27 Championship table as Wrexham and Wolves suffer heartbreak, Birmingham seal Premier League return and World Cup star shines

After a long summer, the 2026/27 Championship season is finally upon us, with several huge clubs in the mix.

West Ham United, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Burnley will no doubt be huge additions to English football’s second tier following their relegation from the Premier League last term.

Meanwhile, Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham will be looking to reach the promised land after narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season.

Oxford United, Leicester City and Sheffield United will be playing in League One, with Lincoln City, Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers replacing them in the Championship after their respective promotions.

So, with 46 matches to play – excluding the play-offs – how will this season play out?

SPORTbible’s supercomputer went in-depth ahead of the Championship season, and some supporters will certainly be more pleased than others.

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Race for promotion

SPORTbible’s supercomputer has Nuno Espirito Santo guiding West Ham to the title with a points tally of 94.

Despite Crysencio Summerville leaving for Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal, the East Londoners managed to tie Jarrod Bowen down to a new contract while also recruiting experienced former Brighton right-back Joel Veltman and ex-Spurs left-winger Manor Solomon.

Last season’s play-off finalists Middlesbrough are tipped to go up in second place despite losing key midfielder Hayden Hackney, who has joined Premier League side Everton.

Boro have signed Will Lankshear from Spurs, Radek Vitek from Manchester United, Max Artsten from Columbus and Kyle Joseph from Hull City, as well as Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton, Sebastian Berhalter from Vancouver and Myles Peart-Harris on a free transfer.

Birmingham City are predicted to go up through the play-offs, with the Blues having been without Premier League football since 2011. The Midlanders have recruited Jhon Solis, Luis Vazquez, Kristoffer Lund and Dael Fry during the summer transfer window.

Play-off prediction

Last season's play-off semi-finalists Southampton are expected to go close once again and are predicted to finish fourth on 79 points, with Wolves in fifth on 77 and Sheffield United pipping seventh-placed Wrexham by two points to secure sixth.

This would put Sheffield United up against Birmingham in the play-off semi-finals, with the predictor suggesting the Blues come through as 3-1 aggregate winners after two legs.

The supercomputer also has Southampton coming through as 3-2 aggregate winners against Wolves in their semi-final.

Birmingham are backed to beat Southampton 2-1 after extra time in the Championship play-off final, sending them back to the Premier League after 16 years away.

Relegation scrap

Our supercomputer has two of the three promoted teams – Bolton and Lincoln – being relegated, with Queens Park Rangers also dropping to League One and Charlton Athletic surviving on the final day.

Golden Boot race

Canada international and Southampton forward Cyle Larin is predicted to win the Golden Boot with 25 goals, with Boro’s Lankshear getting 23 and West Ham’s Bowen on 21.

Golden Boot race in full:

1. Cyle Larin – Southampton – 25 goals
2. Will Lankshear – Middlesbrough – 23 goals
3. Jarrod Bowen – West Ham – 21 goals
4. Raúl Jiménez – Wolves – 20 goals
5. David Strelec – Middlesbrough – 18 goals
6. Mateus Mané – Wolves – 17 goals
7. Sam Smith – Wrexham – 16 goals
8. Ross Stewart – Southampton – 15 goals
9. Morgan Whittaker – Middlesbrough – 14 goals
10. Jimmy-Jay Morgan – West Brom – 14 goals

Predicted 2026/27 Championship table

1. West Ham – 94 points
2. Middlesbrough – 86 points
3. Birmingham City – 82 points
4. Southampton – 79 points
5. Wolves – 77 points
6. Sheffield United – 74 points
7. Wrexham – 72 points
8. Norwich City – 69 points
9. Millwall – 67 points
10. Stoke City – 64 points
11. Bristol City – 62 points
12. Derby County – 60 points
13. Swansea City – 58 points
14. Burnley – 57 points
15. Preston North End – 55 points
16. Portsmouth – 53 points
17. Cardiff City – 51 points
18. West Brom – 49 points
19. Watford – 47 points
20. Blackburn Rovers – 45 points
21. Charlton Athletic – 43 points
22. QPR – 40 points
23. Lincoln City – 37 points
24. Bolton Wanderers – 34 points