As the Championship kicks off this weekend, there will be particular interest in tomorrow's game at the King Power Stadium where Leicester City host Sheffield Wednesday in a clash of the only two Thai-owned clubs in the football league. One is facing very difficult times while the other is in a state of transition.
The problems at Hillsborough have been well documented. The Owls are going into the new season after a summer of financial difficulties with a much-depleted squad under new manager Henrik Pedersen. Thai owner Dejphon Chansiri is under pressure from fans to sell the historic club. Worryingly, bookmakers and pundits alike are tipping the Owls for relegation.
Leicester are also facing a challenge after being relegated from the Premier League. They no longer have the inspirational Jamie Vardy to lead the line, while influential midfielder Wilfred Ndidi looks set to join the Turkish club Besiktas. However, they have kept most of their players and enjoyed an encouraging 2-0 pre-season win over Fiorentina.
The glory days of 2016 when, against all odds, they won the Premier League may be gone for the Foxes, but the teams that have just been relegated from the top flight are usually among those most likely to make a quick return.
A major concern for Leicester's Thai chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is the possibility of a points reduction over financial issues. However, with highly rated Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes at the helm the Foxes can look forward to a positive season.
One big match has already been played with newly promoted Birmingham City hosting Ipswich at St Andrew's last night. Despite their relegation from the top flight, Ipswich are the bookmakers' favourites for the title. Although they have lost ace striker Liam Delap to Spurs, the Tractor Boys have kept most of their players and with manager Kieran McKenna still at the helm look to be a strong outfit.
Birmingham too have impressive credentials after running away with the League One title last season and the ambitious Blues are tipped to be among those in the promotion battle.
Despite suffering a wretched season in the Premier League, Southampton are also expected to make their presence felt. Their opening match is an eye-catching fixture against Wrexham, who are on the crest of a wave of three successive promotions. Pundits believe the Welsh club, who have recently signed ace goalscorer Josh Windass from the Owls, might have to settle for a mid-table place this time around considering the higher demands of the Championship.
There is an interesting clash at Bramall Lane where Sheffield United, who just missed out on promotion last season, host Bristol City. It is often forgotten that City spent four seasons in the top flight before being relegated in 1982. Also hoping to be in the promotion race are Coventry City who played some excellent football last season under the guidance of Frank Lampard. Another club hoping to make the playoffs are Norwich City who have made a number of signings. The Canaries face a testing opener as they host Millwall, who finished strongly last season.
There is also an intriguing game at the Riverside Stadium where Middlesbrough take on Swansea City, whose new owners include American rap star Snoop Dog. It all points to another fascinating season in the Championship and there could be plenty of surprises in what promises to be a hard-fought battle for promotion.
The problems at Hillsborough have been well documented. The Owls are going into the new season after a summer of financial difficulties with a much-depleted squad under new manager Henrik Pedersen. Thai owner Dejphon Chansiri is under pressure from fans to sell the historic club. Worryingly, bookmakers and pundits alike are tipping the Owls for relegation.
Leicester are also facing a challenge after being relegated from the Premier League. They no longer have the inspirational Jamie Vardy to lead the line, while influential midfielder Wilfred Ndidi looks set to join the Turkish club Besiktas. However, they have kept most of their players and enjoyed an encouraging 2-0 pre-season win over Fiorentina.
The glory days of 2016 when, against all odds, they won the Premier League may be gone for the Foxes, but the teams that have just been relegated from the top flight are usually among those most likely to make a quick return.
A major concern for Leicester's Thai chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha is the possibility of a points reduction over financial issues. However, with highly rated Spanish manager Marti Cifuentes at the helm the Foxes can look forward to a positive season.
One big match has already been played with newly promoted Birmingham City hosting Ipswich at St Andrew's last night. Despite their relegation from the top flight, Ipswich are the bookmakers' favourites for the title. Although they have lost ace striker Liam Delap to Spurs, the Tractor Boys have kept most of their players and with manager Kieran McKenna still at the helm look to be a strong outfit.
Birmingham too have impressive credentials after running away with the League One title last season and the ambitious Blues are tipped to be among those in the promotion battle.
Despite suffering a wretched season in the Premier League, Southampton are also expected to make their presence felt. Their opening match is an eye-catching fixture against Wrexham, who are on the crest of a wave of three successive promotions. Pundits believe the Welsh club, who have recently signed ace goalscorer Josh Windass from the Owls, might have to settle for a mid-table place this time around considering the higher demands of the Championship.
There is an interesting clash at Bramall Lane where Sheffield United, who just missed out on promotion last season, host Bristol City. It is often forgotten that City spent four seasons in the top flight before being relegated in 1982. Also hoping to be in the promotion race are Coventry City who played some excellent football last season under the guidance of Frank Lampard. Another club hoping to make the playoffs are Norwich City who have made a number of signings. The Canaries face a testing opener as they host Millwall, who finished strongly last season.
There is also an intriguing game at the Riverside Stadium where Middlesbrough take on Swansea City, whose new owners include American rap star Snoop Dog. It all points to another fascinating season in the Championship and there could be plenty of surprises in what promises to be a hard-fought battle for promotion.
