Our City reporters predict the 24/25 Championship season

For Johannes Hoff Thorup, the real stuff starts at the Kassam Stadium against newly promoted Oxford United on Saturday. In the away end there will be feelings of hope, worry and so much in between. 

Ahead of the Championship's big kick-off this week - we asked our Canaries correspondents for their league wide predictions, with a sprinkling of City focus on top. 

Will former Canaries striker Mark Robins finally take Coventry to the Premier League? (Image: Paul Chesterton)

Paddy Davitt 

Prediction for top two: Leeds and Coventry City. One head, one heart selection. Daniel Farke knows what it takes to get out of the Championship. He might have fallen at the very final hurdle in last season’s play-off final but he will also know, given the expectation levels at Elland Road, it really is likely to be promotion or bust for his job prospects. The question mark is how he goes about replacing the likes of Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville? Leave Jonny Rowe, alone, Daniel. The Sky Blues missed out in the previous season’s play-offs. A run to the FA Cup semi-finals possibly derailed their bid for a top six repeat, but Mark Robins has made some astute signings over the summer. They look strong from front to back.

NCFC position: 12th. Too many imponderables at this stage to predict where Johannes Hoff Thorup can guide City in his debut tour. None more so than who remains in the camp beyond the August 30 deadline. But pre-season has underlined it will take time for his style of play to become second nature to a squad he largely inherited from his predecessor. A season for building solid foundations.

Relegation trio: Plymouth, QPR, Derby. Sorry Warnie.

Biggest player for NCFC: Who is going to step up from inside this squad to replace the goal contributions of Gabby Sara? Borja Sainz certainly has the talent. Now he needs the consistency. Perhaps like the Brazilian, a first shot at the Championship was a bit hit and miss but now he knows what is required he can step forward and assume that extra responsibility. Sainz’s finishing ability and his pace should be useful assets within a set up where Thorup wants his team to create plenty of chances and entertain. There is more than an element of the showman about the Spaniard.

Jose Cordoba was Norwich City's poster boy signing this summer. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Samuel Seaman

Prediction for top two: Leeds and Burnley. With Leeds the only one of that dominant four that didn't go up last season, plus the Daniel Farke factor, it feels like they're in pole position even if they have sold some key players this summer. From there it's a very open field, and although I don't think it'll be plain sailing for Burnley, they may well be the best of the rest in a much weaker Championship.

NCFC position: 11th. The only optimism I can offer in the short term is a top half finish, I'm afraid, but given the scale of the overhaul needed at Carrow Road I think it could be worse. This will be a transitional season, of that there's no doubt, and achieving promotion during it would be a huge achievement. For me they'll fall considerably short of that, but by the end of the transfer window they should still have enough good players, along with what looks like a very good coach, to ensure they won't be in any relegation trouble.

Relegation trio: Sunderland, Plymouth and Oxford. Sunderland because of their steep decline in recent months, Plymouth because they're maybe the only side who were in relegation trouble last season and haven't upgraded on their manager, and Oxford because I think it will be tricky to adapt to the second division after so long away from it.

Biggest player for NCFC: Jose Cordoba. In a defence currently occupied by experienced centre-backs who fans are tired of and young ones making a huge jump up to the Championship, Cordoba looks to be City's best chance at getting the balance right. If he can adapt quickly and make the most of the raw materials he clearly has, he'll be far and away the most suitable and reliable defender in Johannes Hoff Thorup's system.

Marcelino Nunez could have a major role to play for Norwich City this season. (Image: Paul Chesterton/Focus Images Ltd)

Connor Southwell

Prediction for top two: Leeds and Burnley. We all know how successful a Daniel Farke year two can be – but with the three relegated sides not as strong as last year, Leeds have the best squad in the division, even in a post-Gray and Summerville world. Jayden Boyle is a smart recruit. They were incredibly unlucky not be promoted last time around but still achieved 90 points. Burnley, even though a managerial change has taken place, still have an incredibly strong squad. Scott Parker has been written off rather unfairly and did a good job getting Bournemouth out of the division. Honourable mentions for Coventry and Middlesbrough.

NCFC position: 13th. This is all about a transition to the future for Norwich City, and that inevitably means bumps in the road. The size or length of the bumps are yet to be determined and there is a utopia where it all clicks quicker than anyone expected. As Glen Riddersholm said, it could be more akin to turning a ‘ferry in the lake’. Therefore, I think a second half of the campaign showing progress, performances and results will be a useful marker for year two. But I think the early stages of the season will be spent cruising in plenty of turbulence. Buckle up.

Relegation trio: Oxford, Derby, Watford. Oxford are going to find the step up hard, even though Des Buckingham’s style of play could transfer to the Championship quite well. I don’t think Derby have the depth in their squad nor the approach to survive. Watford are in a very worrying position heading into the campaign.

Biggest player for NCFC: Marcelino Nunez. Providing he remains at the club beyond the end of the transfer window, the Chilean showed in the latter part of last season the quality he possesses. If Thorup can unlock his qualities in a possession-based side, he will have a major role to play as a connecting midfielder.