The Championship season is set to commence this weekend, with West Ham entering as the bookmakers' favourites for promotion. The Hammers, relegated in May, have retained key player Jarrod Bowen and generated approximately £140m from the sales of Mateus Fernandes and Crysencio Summerville. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo, who previously achieved 99 points in a Championship campaign with Wolves, remains at the helm.
Meanwhile, Southampton begins the season with a four-point deduction, stemming from the 'Spygate' scandal. Manager Tonda Eckert also faces an FA charge. Despite these challenges, Southampton has made permanent signings of influential loanees Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin, and starts the season unbeaten in 19 Championship games, or 21 including play-offs.
The play-off system has been expanded for the new season, with teams finishing in seventh and eighth positions now also securing play-off spots. The opening weekend features a conventional blockbuster tie between West Ham and Burnley, both recently relegated clubs.
Other clubs making moves include Wolves, who have appointed Cesar Peixoto as manager and signed Adam Armstrong, Kieran Trippier, and Raul Jimenez. Burnley has appointed Nicky Hayen as manager and banked around £85m from player sales. Wrexham, who finished seventh last season, continues to spend commercial revenues on new players.