The full 2026/27 EFL Championship table predicted by AI | OneFootball

Who is going up and going down from the second tier next season?

The freshly-concluded 2025/26 EFL Championship campaign provided no shortage of drama, saga and surprise, and as preparations now head underway for the following season ahead of its commencement on August 14, supporters across the land will hope for all of that to be replicated once more.

A host of newcomers will be making their way to the second-tier, with Lincoln City returning to the division for the first time since 1961 alongside Cardiff City and Bolton Wanderers after Steven Schumacher's side ended a seven-year exile by defeating Stockport County 4-1 in the League One play-off final.

Meanwhile, there will be a spotlight on West Ham United following the Hammers' shock relegation to terminate a near-15-year stay in the Premier League.

The East London outfit will be widely-tipped as title favourites, and are being joined in their Championship return by Wolves and Burnley after Coventry City, Ipswich Town and, against all odds, Hull City, each secured promotion to the Premier League.

Despite credentials and expectations, however, we all know that the Championship can prove lottery-esque in the unpredictability it throws up every season without fail - and then there's the case of two extra play-off spots being up for grabs.

That's exactly what makes the second-tier so special, and while pre-season forecasts are extremely tough to make at the best of times - though especially this far in advance - Football League World has called upon AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, to predict where each Championship club will end up in 2026/27...

24 ? ? Lincoln City

Lincoln City enjoyed a hugely impressive trajectory to run away with the League One title, leaving the division stunned with an almighty points haul of 103 - 12 clear of second-placed Cardiff.

The Imps' achievement was made all the more impressive by the fact that head coach Michael Skubala had operated with, as revealed by chief executive Liam Scully, a 17th-18th-placed wage bill, having been fancied for promotion by very few before a ball was kicked.

But although the highly-rated Skubala now appears set to remain at Sincil Bank following reports of interest elsewhere, AI expects Lincoln to be brought back to earth very swiftly.

Indeed, Lincoln have been predicted to finish rock-bottom upon their long-awaited return to the division, with AI claiming that the "jump in overall quality" could prove too steep to overcome in spite of the Imps' "organisation and spirit".

23 ? ? Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic flirted with relegation after achieving promotion through the League One play-offs last year, but ultimately ensured their Championship status for a second season by finishing in 19th position and six points clear of 22nd-placed Oxford United.

The Addicks will now be looking to kick on towards mid-table security under Nathan Jones, although AI believes that regression could be in store at the Valley.

It's AI's view that, though Jones' side will typically be tough and diligent competitors, they may simply lack the quality to avoid a relegation battle.

22 ? ? Cardiff City

Cardiff City, meanwhile, returned to the Championship at the first time of asking - and Bluebirds supporters will hope that AI's prediction of relegation straight back down to League One falls wide of the mark.

Brian Barry-Murphy's side are returning in good health and there's a feel-good factor around the Welsh capital these days, with Cardiff having tasted success with a remarkably young squad made up of numerous exciting academy products.

However, AI thinks that the disparity between youth and experience is reflective of being caught "between rebuilding and decline" while making note of "too little attacking threat" - despite boasting proven second-tier operators in Callum Robinson, Yousef Salech and Chris Willock.

21 ? ? Preston North End

It does feel as though the floor will be raised for the 2026/27 season and a hotly-contested relegation battle could await Preston North End, if AI's prediction comes true.

The Lilywhites endured a drastic fall-off in the second-half of the season to finish in 14th after initially emerging as play-off contenders, and AI fears that years of mid-table mediocrity could finally catch up with Paul Heckingbottom's men.

However, North End are predicted to just about stave off relegation ahead of Cardiff.

20 ? ? Portsmouth

Portsmouth have dodged the drop in each of the last two seasons after returning to the Championship in 2024 and AI predicts their credentials to remain intact this time next year, even if Pompey have been tipped to fall a couple of places.

The south coast side finished in 18th and the renowned Fratton Park atmosphere is expected to keep their heads above the water once more, despite patchy form on the road.

19 ? ? Stoke City

Stoke City's fortunes are not forecast to change, with the Potters having failed to finish higher than 14th in any of the last eight campaigns.

The Staffordshire outfit did look capable of lodging a push for the play-offs early into the season, but a dramatic slump in form saw Mark Robins' side wind up in the lower echelons of mid-table mediocrity once again - and AI believes they're some way off competing higher up the standings.

18 ? ? Queens Park Rangers

There is every chance that QPR could trend upwards in Julien Stephan's second term in charge after finishing in 15th position under the Frenchman, and AI shares the view that the Hoops have the required attacking quality to avoid slipping into a relegation dogfight.

The likes of Rumarn Burrell, Ilias Chair, Richard Kone and Harvey Vale are all talented operators in the final third, but defensive shortcomings and all-round inconsistency prevented QPR from competing above mid-table in 25/26.

Those factors are a "constant issue" according to AI, which doesn't expect Stephan's side to push higher until they are ironed out.

Watford, meanwhile, are predicted to finish just one place lower than their position of 16th in 25/26, in which they stripped through no fewer than three permanent managers in a typically-turbulent campaign at Vicarage Road.

The Hornets' incessant managerial turnover has become increasingly problematic, and while young starlets such as Nestory Irankunda and Othmane Maamma speak for the talent level that AI thinks should merit a higher finish, it ultimately refers back to behind-the-scenes instability which "continues to undermine progress."

16 ? ? Swansea City

Swansea City have been forced to settle for a succession of mid-table finishes after reaching the 2021 Championship play-off final, and AI doesn't expect anything different from what will be Vitor Matos' first full season at the helm.

The Swans picked up nicely following the Portuguese head coach's arrival in South Wales last November, but a lack of consistency prevented the side from entering play-off contention and AI worries that they "may struggle to turn possession into enough victories".

It's difficult to know what to expect of Swansea going into next season, but they've been predicted to drop by five positions here.

Swansea’s style should keep them competitive, though they may struggle to turn possession into enough victories.

15 ? ? Derby County

Derby County would be extremely disappointed to wind up towards the lower-end of the Championship's mid-table region, having only missed out on a play-off spot on the final day of the 25/26 campaign.