While replicating previous Championship campaigns will be a tall order for all three clubs, it’s hard to envisage any of them falling out of the promotion conversation. The second tier once again promises a compelling, fiercely competitive season ⚽️ #EFL

The division may have plenty of competition ⚔️. Newly promoted Birmingham City 🔵⚪ have been more League One than Championship recently, but will be tough this year alongside Sheffield United 🔴⚫ — the Blades look to rewrite Wembley woes. #BCFC #SheffieldUnited #EFL

Philogene, signed from Villa in 2024, picked up a worrying knock 🤕 vs Auxerre, lasting just 8 mins of the 2nd half before his ankle gave way. With the opener <6 days away ⏳, it’s a concern. The positives? ✅ Four wins from four in pre-season, 12 goals scored 🔥 #itfc

Opponents here face very different challenges than in the Premier League ⚽️⬇️ Leicester 🦊 played Liverpool 🔴 in April — now, just 4 months later, they’ll watch Sheffield Wednesday 🦉 fans fly a plane over King Power 🛩️✉️ to send a message to their owner #LCFC #LFC

Sheffield Wednesday’s 🦉 players have agreed to play despite off-field financial chaos 💸. Fans were worried, but the squad assured availability ✅. Leicester 🦊 face two newly promoted sides in August — a good chance for Cifuentes’ team to start strong 💪. #LCFC #SWFC

Club legend Jamie Vardy 🦊⚽️ has ended his 13-season run, leaving a big scoring question for Foxes fans. Pre-season goals have come from Abdul Fatawu, Kasey McAteer & Jordan Ayew ⚡️. A solid finish vs Fiorentina 🇮🇹, but opener vs Sheffield Wednesday could be chaotic 🔥. #LCFC

Leicester 🦊 might be flying under the radar. Stephy Mavididi ⚽️ had 18 goal contributions in 42 starts, while Harry Winks 🧠 played 4,000+ mins midfield, helping them edge Ipswich last season 🏆. They’ve got the perfect mix of youth & experience. #LCFC #LeicesterCity #EFL

Leicester 🦊 finished top of the relegated sides but aren’t anywhere near favourites for promotion. New boss Marti Cifuentes takes over from Ruud Van Nistelrooy, with just one signing so far — 38-year-old keeper Asmir Begovic 🧤. #LCFC #LeicesterCity #EFL #Championship

After big spending 💰 in their PL debut, Ipswich 🔵⚪ were never likely to spend Even so, the current group looks more than capable in the Championship 🏆. With Omari Hutchinson, Jaden Philogene & ex–Golden Boot winner Sam Szmodics 🎯, McKenna has quality he can trust. #ITFC

Kieran McKenna’s Ipswich 🔵⚪ have seen more exits than arrivals — a common blueprint for second-tier rebuilds 🔄. No shock to see Liam Delap depart 🚪⚽. His goalscoring services were in demand from the top flight ⬆️. #ITFC #IpswichTown #EFL #Championship #TractorBoys

Will a squad refresh 🔄 and a fresh face in the dugout 🧠 redefine Southampton’s identity? The bookies seem to think so 📊. Saints 🔴⚪ are 2nd favourites for Championship glory 🏆 — only Ipswich Town 🔵⚪ are tipped higher. #SaintsFC #SouthamptonFC #ITFC #IpswichTown #EFL

Saints’ pre-season began with a humbling trip to Eastleigh before heading to Girona 🇪🇸 to face CD Castellón & RCD Espanyol. A 27-man squad travelled, but before Aaron Ramsdale could apply suncream ☀️🧴, he was back to seal a loan to Newcastle 🖤🤍. #SaintsFC #SouthamptonFC

He inherits a side torn apart after a 12pt PL campaign 😬 Kyle Walker-Peters is off to West Ham, and rumours link teen star Tyler Dibling with the exit door too. A bid from Everton may have already disrupted prep for the opener vs Wrexham’s Hollywood heroes 🎬🐉 #SaintsFC

Let’s start with the Saints 🔴⚪ and new boss Will Still. His last job in England? Preston North End U14s. But don’t call him inexperienced — the Belgium-born coach made his name in France 🇫🇷 with Reims & Lens, leaving the latter by mutual consent in May 2024. #SaintsFC #EFL

🧵You only truly appreciate the Premier League’s standard when all 3 promoted sides suffer instantaneous relegation. Ipswich ⚪🔵, Leicester 🔵🦊 & Southampton 🔴⚪ return to the Championship 🏆 📊 Research powered by my work experience at The Times 🗞️ #SAINTSFC #LCFC #itfc

In this package, we explore why gambling is on the rise amongst students and speak to Thomas Walberg about his experiences betting as a student. 88,000 students are believed to have a gambling problem, is the issue now too big to ignore? #GamblingTwitter #gambling

My Final Project consisted of a plethora of sports business stories! Here’s one about the impact that FA Cup replays being scrapped can have on lower league clubs. #FACup #football #footballfeature

Great day to be back at Boundary Park! Harratt’s first goal, Fondop back on the scoresheet and yet another clean sheet. The play-off picture is looking pretty yet again. Match Report with @TheOldhamTimes - https://t.co/J4b6drl3zS #oafc @DecPatterson

Great to join @SuzanneNQNW and @TheOldhamTimes again as #oafc claim all three points at Boundary Park Match Report below 👇🏻 https://t.co/z0h2mXLwYO

Although the result was far from ideal, it was great to shadow @SuzanneNQNW today with @TheOldhamTimes! #oafc Match report from the game can be found on the link below: