The Championship is a league like no other. It is engrained with, and illuminated by sheer unpredictability, yet, despite the chaos, there is an air of inevitability around some things. 

Aleksandar Mitrovic

One of those is the undeniable quality of Serbian star Aleksandar Mitrovic in the Championship, who has emerged as one of the most feared forwards in the league ever since moving to Fulham on an initial loan basis in January 2018.

He will be desperate to recapture his mojo after enduring a disappointing return to the Premier League, where he only found the back of the net three times in 27 matches.

However, Mitrovic's record at this level speaks for itself; during his time with the Cottagers, he has scored 38 goals in 57 Championship matches, which has been the key behind two promotions. 

As well as possessing a clinical eye for goal, Mitrovic is also a domineering physical presence and will no doubt be giving many Championship defenders a torrid time come the start of the season. 

Fulham themselves are, by all accounts, the favourites for promotion and it is little wonder why when you analyse the talent they have in their squad, including many players who will be supplying Mitrovic over the course of the campaign.

New signing Harry Wilson- who recently joined the club from Liverpool in a blockbuster £12M move- has proven his prowess in the division and made 11 assists last term whilst on loan at Cardiff City.

Meanwhile, Bobby Decordova-Reid and Ivan Cavaleiro have both previously impressed in the Championship and can be expected to continue in a similar vein this season. 

Kieffer Moore

Fresh off the back of leading the line for Wales at EURO 2020, Kieffer Moore has crucial momentum in his stride and will be looking to translate that back to club football, starting this weekend. 

He is one of the very best at this level, signified by his 20 goal return in debut season at Cardiff and is equipped for all facets of the game, not just goalscoring.

Standing at an almighty 6'5, Moore utilises his supreme physique to create space in behind and win aerial duels, which is a vital asset to have in a team that tend to employ an emphasis on set-pieces.

Common misconceptions also mean that his technical ability can slip under the radar, as the typical notion is, quite simply, that forwards of that stature are solely armed to weather the physical storms of the game. 

With a nice turn of pace and the willingness to drive at defenders, Moore can insert a new dimension into City's frontline and boss Mick McCarthy will be hoping he can keep his star man clad in blue. 

Their promotion ambitions will hinge on the hulking hitman, no doubt. 

Adam Armstrong

Blackburn Rovers star Adam Armstrong enjoyed the best fortunes of his career to date with an outlay of 27 strikes last term, which was only bettered by Brentford's Ivan Toney.

Toney's 31 goals eventually guided the Bees to the promised land and it is believed that Armstrong could too be plying his trade in the Premier League, with a number of top-flight outfits said to be keeping tabs on the Newcastle United academy graduate.

He also showcased the creative elements within his weaponry by providing five assists, all the while running Championship defenders ragged with his explosive pace and knack of running in behind.

At 24, Armstrong is improving year after year and it only seems a matter of time before he is prized away from Ewood Park.

 

Rhian Brewster

It would be fair to say that Rhian Brewster's £20M move to Sheffield United is yet to pay off, but it can be easy to forget that the striker is still only 21 and in the Championship, he has the perfect opportunity to rekindle his form.

After impressing on loan at Swansea City with 10 goals in 20 appearances, Brewster opted to join the Blades, where, in the midst of their on-field woes, he failed to register a single strike as they finished rock bottom of the Premier League.

There is a school of thought, however, that in a division that he knows, has acclimatised to and will be harnessed with less pressure, the best version of Brewster could come out. 

He forms part of a promising striking quartet at Brammall Lane, too. Veteran forward Billy Sharp is as proven as anyone in the Championship, whereas David McGoldrick and Oli McBurnie have both also amassed productive goal returns and will be fiercely competing for a starting berth in new boss Slavisa Jokanovic's side.

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