The 8 EFL Championship teams most likely to get relegated this season | OneFootball

FLW has predicted the sides who are most likely to be involved in a relegation battle

It is some time until the 2025/26 Championship table will fully start to take shape, as there is still an extremely long way to go in the campaign in a division where you are warned to expect the unexpected.

That has certainly been the case so far this campaign and we are less than two months in, with a handful of sides currently residing in areas of the table that they were predicted to finish in by many supporters and general punters, whilst several clubs have sprung an early season surprise either in extremely positive or negative fashions.

Regardless, there is one fate which each and every one of the second tier's 24 clubs hopes to avoid each year, and that is simply the drop into League One.

Several clubs make it their sole aim to avoid relegation back to the third tier after promotion or due to budget constraints in comparison to rivals, whilst many of the second tier's big-hitters have endured disastrous campaigns that have set them back in their eventual aims of returning to the Premier League at some point.

With that being said, here at FLW, we've stuck our neck on the line and predicted the eight sides who, right now, are the most likely to be relegated.

Portsmouth

It has been a solid start to the campaign for Portsmouth, whose supporters will be looking at progressing up the table after finishing 16th last time out, five points above the drop zone.

John Mousinho's side do have plenty of strong attacking forces to call upon, such as Josh Murphy, Conor Chaplin, Adrian Segecic and Colby Bishop, as well as a handful of extremely dependable defensive options. However, the main concern at Fratton Park so far this season has been a distinct lack of goals, with the aforementioned Bishop already missing five big chances.

The Blues will be hoping to address such issues as swiftly as possible, or they could be in danger of sliding down the table, albeit not enough to be fully sucked into a potential relegation battle as the season progresses.

Derby County

After also consolidating last time out, John Eustace and Derby County were extremely busy in the transfer window. However, things are yet to fully gel on the pitch, making for a slow start to the campaign.

The Rams' survival was built on a relatively strong defensive record, particularly in the season's final weeks with the likes of Craig Forsyth, Matt Clarke and former loanee, Nat Phillips, impressing. However, the loss of the ex-Liverpool man has clearly left a void in the rearguard, as they have already shipped 12 goals in six games along with five other clubs.

Eustace will be hoping such a feat doesn't continue, especially with it undermining the impressive start made by Carlton Morris since his summer move from Luton Town.

Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers narrowly missed out on a play-off place last season, yet circumstances haven't exactly been smooth sailing in Valerien Ismael's first full season at Ewood Park thus far.

The Frenchman saw captain Lewis Travis depart for Derby among other exits, and whilst many signings have been made, several are extremely unproven at Championship level, which has led to many outsiders worrying about Rovers' predicament for the season ahead.

Before the abandonment of their fixture against Ipswich Town, the Lancashire side had also lost their opening two home encounters of the season, which goes against the grain of how successful campaigns are usually established.

Watford

Watford have made an extremely underwhelming start to the Paulo Pezzolano era, with many supporters already voicing their frustrations towards the Uruguayan for his team selection in recent weeks.

The Hornets boss left several of his best early-season performers on the bench for the recent 1-0 defeat to Millwall in which his side were extremely wasteful in front of goal, which has been a running theme besides the dead-ball specialism showcased by summer signing, Nestory Irankunda.

Given the poor start, it wouldn't be a shock to see the Pozzo family make yet another managerial change. However, it may not be for the better given how strong many other sides look in comparison to Watford.

Charlton Athletic

Charlton Athletic were immediately made relegation favourites following their success in the League One play-off final back in June, yet Nathan Jones and his side have already shown they aren't here to make the numbers up.

The Addicks boss has reunited with a plethora of his former Luton Town players that unexpectedly made a run for the top-six in 2022 and 2023 after initially consolidating back in the Championship - a feat the Welshman will hope to replicate at The Valley.

A return of eight points in as many games is a respectable start, with this prediction mainly down to the fact that sides such as Wrexham, Southampton and Ipswich Town will be expected to push up the table after lethargic starts to their own campaigns.

Oxford United

Oxford United have continued to be no pushovers in their second season back at the level, with Gary Rowett very much aware of what is required to keep the U's heads above water again.

Due to budget limitations in comparison to the majority of divisional rivals, Oxford have continued to be savvy in the transfer market, with the likes of Ben Davies, Brian De Keersmaecker and Will Lankshear already three prime examples of shrewd business.

The club's early-season form has been rather patchy, although they will hope to build momentum on a run of three games without defeat, backing up credible home draws against Coventry City and Leicester City with a surprise 3-1 win over Bristol City at Ashton Gate.

Sheffield United

There is no dressing up how dire a start to the season it has been for Sheffield United, with last season's play-off finalists losing every Championship and EFL Cup game they've played so far.

After accumulating 90 points last season, COH Sports opted to replace Chris Wilder with Ruben Selles - a decision which has since been reversed - subsequently beginning a catastrophic chain of events.

Despite an array of signings, many of which were late in the window, Selles failed to adapt his possession-based methods at Bramall Lane, with the Blades losing all five of his league games in charge, before Wilder returned to his boyhood club less than 90 days after initially being dismissed.

Regardless of the quality on show in S2, there is a lot of work to be done, with the squad looking devoid of confidence and ideas, something which the 57-year-old admitted after his first game back in charge vs Charlton.

“Maybe I underestimated the amount of work that we need to do as well. Just expect a lot more," he said.

Sheffield Wednesday

It will come as no surprise that the other side of the Steel City are the side who are expected to be relegated the most, with Sheffield Wednesday's immediate and long-term future - solely as a club - in extreme jeopardy.

Following the confirmation of Danny Rohl's departure just nine days before the season began, Henrik Pedersen's hands have been more than forced when it comes to squad availability and transfer activity, with the Wednesday ranks beyond threadbare whilst being placed under registration embargoes and transfer fee restrictions.

Despite two credible away results against Wrexham and Portsmouth - the latter of which gave the club a confidence-lifting win - it remains to be seen how long such belief will last for due to a lack of depth and quality, as well as the overhanging threat of administration due to the expected repayment of a £7.3m loan by controversial owner, Dejphon Chansiri.

Falling into administration would certainly come with a 12-point deduction, making the hardest of tasks look even more beyond salvage for Pedersen and his team.