Division One

Traditionally the hardest division from which to break free, there are as usual a number of candidates who look certain to be pushing for the Holy Grail of Premiership football.

Sunderland, West Ham and West Brom, all of whom suffered the shock of losing their top-flight status, will be aiming for a solid start to the new campaign with the Wearsiders' visit to Nottingham Forest the pick of the opening fixtures.

Nine straight defeats, with only two goals scored, was hardly the best way to finish life in the Premiership and manager Mick McCarthy has a difficult job on his hands trying to instill confidence into a team that have been forced to sell several key assets.

As, of course, have West Ham, with the cream of their talented squad sold off in order to balance the books after a demotion that came as an unexpected body blow to everyone connected with the club. Will they have the strength in depth to mount a season-long challenge? Only time will tell.

Of the other contenders, Alan Pardew's Reading and Neil Warnock's Sheffield United, having just missed out on promotion last time, may have blown their strongest chance but I have a sneaking suspicion that Ipswich, for all their financial troubles, could sneak into the automatic promotion place under Joe Royle.

Team to watch: Nottingham Forest

Manager Paul Hart was widely expected to have moved onwards and upwards during the summer after the superb job he did last season. Instead he has stayed at the City Ground in an attempt improve on sixth place, Forest's best finish since falling into the first division, and propel another Midlands team into the top-flight.

Hart's young side boasts ever-maturing talent, with defender Michael Dawson especially highly rated. If they can overcome the heartbreak of that nail-biting playoff defeat by Sheffield United, Forest should again score plenty of goals and force their way into ascendency.

Player to watch: Jason Koumas (West Bromwich)

Gary Megson's team made a lot of friends last season but in the end were out of their depth and did not have the experience of savvy to retain their Premiership status. Wherever they travelled, however, Jason Koumas looked a class act and the only surprise has been that no-one has come in for the attacking midfielder. Along with Sheffield United's Michael Brown, Koumas should be the man to watch this season - unless he gets snapped up in the Christmas transfer window. If Albion are to make it back at the first attempt, Koumas could be pivotal to their hopes.

Prediction
Champions: Nottingham Forest
Automatic promotion: Ipswich
Playoffs: West Brom, West Ham, Norwich, Sheffield United

Division Two 

As in the first division, more players have been discarded than recruited as a result of football's parlous financial situation in the lower leagues so looking for clues is the key to who may jump ahead of the pack. Brighton would have looked a good bet to regain first division status had the sale of Bobby Zamora to Tottenham not deprived Steve Coppell of his most potent weapon so probably a play-off place is the best Seagulls fans can aspire to.

Mike Newell's Luton could pose a threat but a tortuous summer behind the scenes at Kenilworth Road could hurt their chances. And surely Sheffield Wednesday, the biggest team in the division who everyone will want to be, will be hoping for an emphatic promotion campaign.

Team to watch: Queens Park Rangers

The thousands of Hoops fans who trudged their way home after the pain of the second division playoff final last season should not be too downhearted. Ian Holloway's team may have learned from the experience and will certainly go into the new campaign as strong favourites to move up the Nationwide ladder this time. Holloway is one of the best young managers outside the Premiership and on paper, there are few sides who seem capable of finishing ahead of the Londoners.


Player to watch: Alan Quinn (Sheffield Wednesday)

Having offloaded many of their biggest earners, Wednesday are relying largely on youth to restore their place in the top two divisions and Alan Quinn, at 24, is possibly the best of the bunch. Having broken into the full Republic of Ireland squad, he looks set to play a crucial role in Wednesday's efforts to thwart opponents who will treat every game against Chris Turner's team like a cup final.



Prediction
Champions: Queens Park Rangers
Automatic promotion: Sheffield Wednesday
Playoffs: Bristol City, Luton, Oldham, Tranmere

Division Three

Yeovil Town are a welcome addition to a highly competitive league and are quietly confident of gaining a second straight promotion with a squad manager Gary Johnson believes already has second division potential, having run away with the Conference last term. West country rivals Torquay, under the quietly impressive Leroy Rosenior, may have a thing or to two say about that.

Chris Brass, the youngest manager in the league at 27, faces a tough assignment in first season at York City whereas relegated Huddersfield will be looking to bounce straight back after a major overhaul of players.

Team to watch: Hull City

They may have finished 13th last season but with a 25,000-capacity stadium, a huge fan base and a highly experienced manager in Peter Taylor, the Tigers have all the tools needed to surge into the second division. Having assembled one of the division's most expensive squads, the fans will surely accept nothing less than promotion and visiting sides to the KC stadium could find it an extremely intimidating place.



Player to watch Alton Thelwell (Hull)

The best teams build from the back and Peter Taylor had no hesitation is acquiring Alton Thelwell from Tottenham when the tall central defender became available. Thelwell spend five seasons at Spurs and although he made only 18 starts, the experience of having trained daily with Premiership players is bound to enhance Hull's chances of snuffing out opposing forwards.

Prediction
Champions: Hull
Automatic Promotion: Huddersfield
Playoff: Oxford, Yeovil, Northampton, Southend

by Andrew Warshaw