Overview

A competitive division; at least 10 teams can be regarded as having a promotion chance. Relentlessly demanding; the games frequently arrive twice weekly. Big on human interest sub-plots; where else could you assemble Neil Warnock, Venky's, Paul Jewell and Mido under the same roof?

Watch out for

Jonathan Woodgate (Middlesbrough). Were it not for appalling luck with injuries Woodgate would surely be England's first choice centre-half now. Supremely talented and a joy to watch. Let's hope he stays fit. If so, do not bet against Boro winning promotion.

Andy Reid (Nottingham Forest). At his best the owner of arguably the most gifted left foot in this division reminds fans why they love football so much. Wonderfully imaginative and incisive he needs to watch his weight but should thrive under Sean O'Driscoll.

Danny Murphy (Blackburn). He may be 35 now but the former England, Liverpool and Fulham midfielder still knows how to pick a pass. Can only imbue Blackburn with welcome vision and subtlety.

Down from the Premier League

Steve Kean has a point to prove at Blackburn and, despite losing key personnel in Yakubu and Junior Hoilett, he has made some strong signings, including Murphy and Leon Best, even though the latter will be sidelined by a knee injury for six months. Wolves remain an unknown quantity under their new Norwegian manager, Stale Solbakken, while Bolton could do with somehow clinging on to their key midfielder Mark Davies.

Up from League One

Managed by the impressive Chris Powell, Charlton are regarded as dark horses for promotion and seen as capable of emulating Norwich and Southampton by reaching the Premier League via successive promotions. In Dave Jones, Sheffield Wednesday boast a highly experienced, arguably underrated manager, plus a huge fan base. Meanwhile Simon Grayson's Huddersfield have made seven signings but may well lose key striker Jordan Rhodes.

Manager to watch

Neil Warnock (Leeds). Blackpool's Ian Holloway may be quirkier but no one gets under the skin of rivals, referees and players quite like Warnock, who has signed virtually an entire new team at Elland Road. In an increasingly anodyne sphere, his press conferences rarely disappoint.

Manager on thin ice

Steve Bruce (Hull). At first glance this may seem a little unfair as he has only just arrived but Bruce is making a raft of new signings including his son, Alex, and Hull, who wasted little time in dispatching Nick Barmby, seem in a hurry to return to the Premier League. When things went wrong at Sunderland the former Manchester United captain erroneously blamed it on Wearsiders not accepting a Geordie manager. That excuse is not available now.

Big year for

Middlesbrough. After narrowly missing out on the play-offs with the nucleus of a development squad last season, the talented, overachieving, Tony Mowbray has been allowed to rebuild. Ten players have departed and eight – including Jonathan Woodgate – have arrived at a cash-strapped club boasting surely the division's best training facilities and one of its best stadiums. "We're ready," says Mowbray. "Bring it on." This is also the season when Nigel Clough could do with getting things right at Derby.

Flashpoint

Look no further than the east Lancashire meetings between Venky's owned Blackburn and Burnley; derbies rarely come more feisty.

Did you know?

Mido has resurfaced at Barnsley. The Egypt international centre forward is still only 29 but has already played for, among others, Ajax, Marseille, Roma, Tottenham, Middlesbrough and Zamalek. Hugely gifted, Mido also has a habit of falling out with his employers and sometimes, as with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Ajax, team-mates. Events at Oakwell are unlikely to be dull.

Title odds

Bolton 15-2, Leicester 8-1, Wolves 10-1, Blackburn 12-1, Cardiff 12-1, Leeds 14-1, Nottm Forest 14-1, Birmingham 20-1, Blackpool 20-1, Brighton 20-1, Middlesbrough 22-1, Sheff Wed 28-1, Charlton 33-1, Hull 33-1, Watford 35-1, Ipswich 40-1, Burnley 50-1, Huddersfield 50-1, Derby 66-1, Millwall 66-1, Crystal Palace 80-1, Bristol City 100-1, Peterborough 150-1, Barnsley 250-1