Who is your money on for Promotion & Relegation next season?

[joeinbrighton]

QPR definitely the biggest candidate for double drop. NO chance of them going straight back up. I'm fully aware of how bouncable that could be in a season's time.

I think you need to see who QPR have got in the club by the end of August before making a definitive judgement on where they will end up, as clearly there will be quite a bit of movement from last season's team. That said, I cannot really see a team managed by Harry Redknapp dropping 2 seasons running, and I say that as someone who cannot stand him!

QPR signed Richard Dunne a few days ago on a 1 year contract, who I'll readily admit is someone I don't rate at the highest level, but if he stays fit, he should be up to doing a decent job for QPR at Championship level. I was reading they have a deal where if he does break down again, they can tear up his contract. Dunne is a leader on the pitch, which is certainly something QPR were quite short of last season. The other thing is they seem to be in the market for Gary Hooper. Again, they badly lacked a regular goalscorer last season, but Hooper or another striker of his ilk should be up to getting 20-plus goals in the Championship, which so often makes a difference to how high a team finishes in the division.

 

[Downlander]

Brighton has the number one record in the league for 2013, just above Watford - but is eighth favourite for promotion. During this time, we were without 2 main strikers and talented Spanish right back. Not quite sure why we're not fancied by the bookies - probably the Gus effect? We've really only lost one key player - Wayne Bridge - and have every chance of strengthening the squad. Perhaps with Oscar we are more of an unknown quantity.

I couldn't forecast the promoted teams, but I now reckon we are as big as any other club in this league. Teams that miss out on promotion tend to challenge strongly the following season and at 16 to 1, Brighton are stupidly under rated - not that I would jeopardise their chances by actually betting on them.

What I do find remarkable is the status of a small town like Yeovil. Their fans most be bursting with pride and anticipation - but it'll be tough for them to avoid the drop at the end of the season.

Crystal Palace playing in the Premier League this season still amazes me! So I’m not forecasting anything!

 

[kingcole]

Each Way Yankee of Arsenal, Brighton, Wolves and Plymouth

Straight Accumulator or Palace, Yeovil, Crawley and Bury