Season Preview - Part One

Brighton & Hove Albion

Reading's opening opponents at the Madejski Stadium. After winning promotion through the Play Off's last season, the Seagulls will be looking to have a better time in the The Championship after the forgettable campaign a couple of years back.

Only a couple of new signings made so far by manager Mark McGhee and Brighton will be one of the favourite to be heading straight back down to League One. There will be a heavy reliance on the goals of former Chelsea striker Leon Knight and the guidance of captain Danny Cullip.

Player To Look Out For - Leon Knight

1871Royals Prediction - Bottom Three

Burnley

All change at Turf Moor during the summer with Stan Ternant being replaced by Steve Cotterill and a mass exodus of players including Glen Little who joined the Royals at the beginning of July.

The Clarets struggled last season and it may be a similar campaign this time around as it will take time for the new manager to bring in the players he wants.

Robbie Blake does however give Burnley a good outlet, technically very good and can score plenty of goals, the former Bradford City man will be a danger to most teams in the forthcoming season. 

Player To Look Out For - Richard Chaplow

1871Royals Prediction - Just Avoiding The Drop

Cardiff City

Cardiff adjusted well to life in Division One last season after being promoted via the Play Off's in the 02/03 season. Sam Hamman was more then willing to dab his hand into his pocket to purchase new players with the likes of Richard Langley and Alan Lee arriving in Wales last season.

Though reports suggest Cardiff's financial position is not as secure as thought and so funds may well be limited to Lennie Lawrence this season. How well the Bluebirds do could be simply down to whether star player Robert Earnshaw remains in at the club, the player is widely linked with an immanent move to the Premiership.

Player To Look Out For - Robert Earnshaw

1871Royals Prediction - Mid Table

Coventry City 

The new season sees Peter Reid in charge at Highfield Road after the surprise departure of Eric Black towards the end of last season.

Tim Sherwood has joined the club and been made team captain and with a move to a new stadium not long away the mood is certainly positive after a few seasons of mid table obscurity. 

The Sky Blues have lost the services of Julian Joachim to Leeds United and will need to strengthen upfront if they want to be in and around the Play Off places come May.

Player To Look Out For - Gary McSheffrey

1871Royals Prediction - Top Ten Finish

Crewe Alexandra

Dario Gradi's men will be looking to build on last years success of staying in Division One. 

With a shoestring budget and a team full of players who have come through the very successful Crewe Academy, the long serving manager will have to continue his incredible job of defying the odds at Gresty Road.

Though with the likes of Dean Ashton and Steve Jones leading the line there is no reason why Crewe cannot be stronger and finish well above the drop zone this time round.

Player To Look Out For - Dean Ashton

1871Royals Prediction - Bottom Half

Derby County

Derby survived relegation last season with a game to spare after a very difficult season for everyone involved at the club. 

This season does look like being a much better campaign with a number of new acquisitions including former Watford and Sunderland striker Tommy Smith.

With the young players now with a season of first team football behind them and the experienced players of Jeff Kenna and Paul Peschisolido on board, Derby may find themselves well into the top half of the table come the end of the season.

Player To Look Out For - Inigo Idiakez

1871Royals Prediction - Top Half