As the season draws ever-closer, teams have taken shape. Some have built squads they hope to keep them in the Championship, whilst others have invested in players they hope to drag them up the Football League to the Premier League.

With a ball yet to be kicked, excitement and expectations are high among fans of all 24 Championship clubs.

Plenty will be asked of Luton following relegation and many will be expecting Rob Edwards’ side return to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

We asked fans of some of our Championship opponents where they think they will finish, who their star player will be and what they are expecting from Luton. We tried our hand at predicting others!

Blackburn Rovers: The 4000 Holes Podcast

Predicted league finish: Nearer the bottom than top...quite a lot nearer the bottom than the top but we can’t say we’re going down at this point. Let’s say the omens aren’t good but the window is still open so…

Player to watch: We’ve sold most of them..! Let’s hope our new Japanese import Yuki Ohashi proves to be an instant hit.

Expectation for Luton: Like all relegated clubs with parachute payments, plus the addition of a capable, competent management structure, you must surely be in the conversation to go straight back up? 4th?

Bristol City: Forever Bristol City

Predicted league finish: 10th - Our 10th successive season in the Championship and unless the stars align (we get lucky!) it is going to be more of the same: midtable mediocrity. Flirting with the playoffs would be an improvement. Some interesting additions to the squad but Max Bird is the only one with credible Championship experience.

Players to watch: Yu Hirakawa

Expectation for Luton: You have the advantage of parachute payments which is always cited by our club officials as making this league anything but a level playing field! I don’t think you’ll make a rapid return to the Premier League and I’m predicting a 7th place finish.

Burnley: Turfcast

Predicted league finish: 2nd. It’s a completely new slate, new manager, new league and I'm really looking forward to it. I think we're in a better position this time than the last time we got relegated, even though we won the league at a canter. I don’t think we’ll win the league at a canter this time, but i think we’ll be there or thereabouts. I think our depth is slightly better than Leeds’, but their starting 11 is stronger.

Player to watch: Luca Koleosho. There could be a few, depending on who stays and goes. Sander Berge is a very good midfielder, better than the Championship so I expect to lose him. We've got Wilson Odobert, also a very good player, but again I expect to lose him. One player who’s just as good, but I don’t expect to lose is Luca Koleosho. He got injured last season, but managed to play the first few games last season and was a joy to watch. If we can keep hold of him he could be one of the best players in the Champoionship.

Expectation for Luton: 3rd or 4th. I feel like both of us could have really good seasons, but could both have mediocre in the sense of just falling within the playoffs. I think talk of Championships for both clubs is a little premature.

My opinion of luton is that you were better than us last season, but you played in a certain style which may not translate too well in to the championship. The thing that worries me the most is the fact that you’ve lost ross Barkley and not really replaced him. I have noticed that you haven’t had too much activity in the transfer market, which does worry me slightly and I’ve got you 3rd or 4th.

Cardiff CIty: Finley Cannon (OAK ROAD hatter)

Predicted league finish: 12th

Player to watch: Joe Ralls & Anwar El-Ghazi

Ralls has been with Cardiff for almost his entire career, making well over 350 appearances for the Bluebirds. The midfielder made 35 appearances last season and 43 the previous and will captain the side once again in the upcoming season. They will need his leadership if they are to push on. El-Ghazi is a new addition and brings a spark that they lacked at times. His unpredictability could be influential for Erol Bulut’s side.

Coventry City: Sky Blue Hub

Predicted league finish: Top 6 (hard to pick an exact place with still a month of transfer window left)

Player to watch: Jack Rudoni

Expectation of Luton: I expect Luton to be in the top 6 and finish the highest out of the three relegated teams from the Premier League.

Derby County: RamsTalk Podcast

Predicted league finish: 15th

Players to watch: Kenzo Goudmijn, Eiran Cashin, Nathaniel Mendez-Laing

Expectation for Luton: With parachute payments and the squad you have, I think top 4 should definitely be the aim!

Hull City: Lewis Jones (Oak ROad hatter)

Predicted league finish: 22nd. I want to make clear this was done on the 8th of August and a lot can happen in the rest of the transfer window. But, as it stands they have no real firepower at the top end of the pitch, Estupinan had a purple patch in 22/23 but was deemed surplus to requirements last season; and in defence they have two very forward thinking full-backs in Giles and Drameh. All of this spells disaster. However, if they bring in strong reinforcements, something I can definitely see happening, I equally wouldn’t be surprised to see Hull pushing for the top 6 again.

Player to watch: New manager Tim Walter loves an attacking left-back, step forward Ryan Giles. Despite a rocky time with us at Luton, I have no doubts regarding Giles’ quality and in the right system he’s one of the best in the division, him and Estupinan could link up nicely.

Leeds United: Lewis Jones (OAK ROad hatter)

League Position: 3rd. I have Leeds third, they’ve lost 3 key players in Kamara, Summerville, and Gray and while I like the signings of Rothwell and Boyle, I don’t see them filling them rather large spaces. Similarly to last year, they are one or two CB injuries away from issues despite the impressive firepower at the top end of the pitch.

Key player: Ethan Ampadu. Simply put, what a player. I think he walks into every Championship team, whether that be as a CB or DM, his passing ability and defensive nous are exceptional. In a similar vein to Rodri at Man City, I can see Leeds struggling in games without him there, I think that speaks to how good a player he is.

Middlesbrough: The Boro Breakdown Podcast

Predicted league finish: 4th

Player to watch: Emmanuel Latte Lath. A player that really found his composure in the latter half of the season, leading to a hot, award-winning streak of 11 goals in his last 14 games.

Expectation of Luton: I expect Luton to be in the mix of promotion once again. I think the fit of Rob Edwards and Luton is really good; a smart club with a progressive young manager. Although you definitely didn’t want relegation, the way you recruited last season has essentially given you a squad full of very good Championship players. Carlton Morris up front, for example, is a player I really like. I think Luton will finish in the top six.

Millwall: Finley Cannon (OAK ROAD HATTER)

Predicted league finish: 12th. Millwall finished last season in fantastic form, winning their last 5 games and helping them to a 13th place finish. I think they will have a more comfortable season, but will struggle to finish in the top half under Neil Harris.

Player to watch: Japhet Tanganga. It’s difficult to look past Millwall’s defence when looking for the strongest part of their team. They have recruited the best goalkeeper in League One last season in Lukas Jensen, but in front of him they have completed one of the best deals of the window, signing Tanganga for free from Tottenham. Success will be built on defensive solidity for Millwall and Tanganga will be key.

Norwich City: Daniel DeFalco

Predicted League Finish: 9th

Player to watch: Borja Sainz. With the departure of Gabriel Sara, Sainz is now seen as City’s key attacking threat. His link-up with Josh Sargent will be vital if Norwich are to finish in the top six.

Expectation of Luton: After a spirited effort in the Premier League I don’t expect Luton to suffer a slow start in the Championship. Rob Edwards knows the league and I can see a play-off push on the cards

Opponents predict league finishes and what they expect from Luton Part 1: Blackburn to Norwich