Three-time Championship promotion winner Ian Holloway tips Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Brentford for promotion this season.

Former Queens Park Rangers, Blackpool and Crystal Palace manager Ian Holloway tips Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Brentford for promotion this season.

Ian Holloway believes that Middlesbrough will be challenging for promotion this season, he claimed that: “I think Middlesbrough will be there or thereabouts and one of the relegated sides will go up for sure.”

Middlesbrough were impressive in mid-week with a 3-0 win at the Riverside Stadium against Sheffield United. Martin Braithwaite poked in an early Lewis Wing corner for the opener before centre-back Aden Flint doubled the lead with a header on his home debut.

Stewart Downing made it 3-0 inside 25 minutes as his speculative stab towards goal bounced over Dean Henderson.

Earlier today, we reported that Ian Holloway is a big fan of new Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa and believes he is a “fantastic tactician”. And now the three-time Championship promotion winner believes that Leeds United will reach the play-offs as he said: “I also think Leeds with Bielsa will have a really good season and make at least the playoffs.”

The former Bristol Rovers manager is very excited about Brentford’s start to the 2018/19 season. He tips them to have an “outside chance of going up automatically.”

Brentford had an impressive 5-1 opening day win over Rotherham. Neal Maupay scored twice while Sergi Canos, Ollie Watkins and Lewis MacLeod were also on target as they got their biggest opening day win since 1994.

Watch Holloway’s analysis on the EFL Highlights Show on Quest every Saturday at 9pm. Also available live and on demand at questod.co.uk and via the QuestOD app.