Leeds’ Premier League bid, Jobe Bellingham to star, Wayne Rooney’s last chance and Wrexham’s Hollywood story continues as the EFL returns

The EFL is back and talkSPORT is the only place to get unrivaled coverage from the most exciting leagues on the planet.

The Championship, League One and League Two get their campaigns under way on Friday, August 9 with talkSPORT offering a minimum of 145 live commentaries during the 2024/25 regular season.

Meanwhile, we’ll also have coverage of the play-offs, Carabao Cup and Bristol Street Motors Trophy.

Already the Championship looks set for it’s most open promotion race in years, Wrexham will be hoping to beat no less than eight ex-Premier League sides on their way to what they hope will be a third-straight promotion from League One.

talkSPORT will have all the action, drama, twists and turns from the EFL during 2024/25 – but who are the sides to watch out for?

EFL experts Adrian Clarke and Adrian Durham reveal all…

Championship

Favourites to go up?

Durham said: “Leeds have lost some good players since losing the play-off final.

“Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville are the biggest talents to go, but Joe Rodon’s loan has been made permanent and in have come Joe Rothwell and Jayden Bogle.

“Mateo Joseph has looked terrific in pre-season and could be a big threat.

“Daniel Farke’s management must not be underestimated – it was his calmness in last summer’s crisis that gave Leeds a chance of promotion and he’s gone up from this division before.

“A lot will be expected, but if the players can harness the fan’s energy then anything is possible.”

The promotion picture?

Clarke said: “Luton and Sheffield United are expected to be challenging this term.

“Chris Wilder is a clever coach, but his second coming at Sheffield United has gone badly. By signing Kieffer Moore, Callum O’Hare and Harrison Burrows – three fabulous additions – he’s shown he’s still got clout.

“Rob Edwards’ stock is incredibly high and Luton possibly possesses the best chance of going up. His squad is far stronger than it was two seasons ago, so with plenty of goodwill from the fans and a settled tactical identity, it’s hard to imagine them struggling.”

Durham said: “At Burnley, it’s a new era after Vincent Kompany’s sensational move to Bayern Munich.

“Scott Parker won the Championship play-offs with Fulham and then went straight back down and fell out with the fans. He then won automatic promotion with Bournemouth, but after a 9-0 early thrashing at Liverpool he said that his players weren’t good enough. He left and Bournemouth’s players subsequently stayed up and were good enough – awkward.

“Burnley cruised the Championship under Kompany – Parker’s record and Burnley’s squad suggests that it would a surprise if they’re not contenders for automatic promotion.”

Durham added: “Play-offs in his first season and eighth last season, it’s probably about time for Michael Carrick to deliver at Middlesbrough.

“USA international Aidan Morris has come in as a defensive midfielder, while Delano Burgzorg, who was with Huddersfield last year, has been recruited up front.

“If Carrick can get goals from Burgzorg like he did from Chuba Akpom a couple of years ago then Boro have a chance, but they’ve not spent big and it feels like a couple of injuries in the wrong positions could be a huge problem for Middlesbrough.”

Hot young managers to watch?

Clarke said: “Employing managers in their 30s is bang on trend with seven of the 24 Championship’s bosses yet to hit 40.

“Watford boss Tom Cleverley is the baby of the group at 34, but he’s got a tough gig, with cost-cutting overtaking ambition at Vicarage Road.

“His former United teammate Wayne Rooney has managed more than 150 games already, but after losing almost half of them, he’ll instantly be under the microscope at Plymouth. If he flops again, it could be Rooney’s last job as a head coach – and he’s only 38.

“Norwich have named little-known 35-year-old Dane, Johannes Hoff Thorup as David Wagner’s replacement. It’s a hipster move, which Canaries fans will hope is genius.

“Liam Manning, Des Buckingham and John Mousinho are three very smart young English coaches who can make their mark in the second tier too, with Pompey’s Mousinho regarded as the most exciting prospect. He, along with Sheffield Wednesday’s Danny Rohl are the 30-somethings with the most Premier League potential.”

Golden boot contenders?

Clarke said: “Mateo Joseph didn’t start a Championship game last season, scoring just once, but the 20-year-old Leeds United striker is the surprise favourite to be top scorer this time around.

“I also like the look of Middlesbrough’s Emmanuel Latte Lath, who scored 11 in his last 12 games last term, or maybe Luton’s Elijah Adebayo.

“He scored a goal every 142 minutes in the top-flight, which was a better strike rate than Ollie Watkins.”

Signing of the summer?

Clarke said: “Millwall struggled for goals last season, scoring just 28 in open play, so to rectify the problem the Lions have signed lower league goal machine Macaulay Langstaff.

“Hardworking and razor sharp inside the box, Langstaff bagged 71 across the last two seasons with Notts County. The prolific striker hasn’t played at this level before, but feels like an exciting addition.”

Breakout star?

Clarke said: “It can’t be easy being Jude’s younger brother, but 18-year-old Jobe Bellingham is on his own path to the top.

“Sunderland used him in central midfield, as a no.10 and even as a striker last season and he scored seven Championship goals along the way.

“Gliding around the pitch effortlessly, Bellingham matches clever movement with excellent technical ability. Unsurprisingly, his temperament is also spot on. The genes are strong!

“There is also growing interest in Watford’s 20-year-old attacking midfielder Yaser Asprilla.

“He’s a creative No.10 with sharp movement and someone who sees incisive passes nice and early. With an eye for the spectacular, the Colombian international also has a habit of scoring great goals.

“Super-talented and fast improving, it’s only a matter of time before someone makes a move for Asprilla.”

Relegation battle?

Durham: “‘Who needs Mourinho? We’ve got Mousinho’ was the song from the Pompey faithful the night that they secured promotion to the Championship last season.

“12 years away from the second tier was brought to an end by rookie boss John Mousinho – fans might feel they’ve not been busy enough in the window to compete, so maybe staying up will be the aim.

“Meanwhile Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth start their campaign on Sunday – live on talkSPORT – against Sheffield Wednesday and they’ve not spent big at all.

“What they have done is keep player of the year Morgan Whittaker with Rooney saying that they’ll only entertain ‘a crazy bid’ for what they consider to be a fantastic player.

“Cynics will look at Rooney’s torrid time at Birmingham last year and wonder what Plymouth are thinking about here.

“Plymouth’s director of football, Neil Dewsnip, worked with Rooney in Everton’s academy years ago – although Rooney says that getting this job wasn’t a favour from an old mate.

“Plymouth’s previous boss Ian Foster lasted three months last season, so if Wayne Rooney doesn’t hit the ground running, he’ll probably be under similar pressure.”

League One

Favourites to go up?

Clarke said: “Ambitious Birmingham are favourites to win the title, meaning that there is huge pressure on first-time manager Chris Davies.

“They’ve already spent an estimated £10million on eight new signings – a League One record. The vibes are very positive at St Andrews, so I do expect them to flourish.”

Durham added: “Nathan Jones’ Charlton should be contenders in League One.

“Before the defeat on the final day of last season he led them to a 14-game unbeaten run to keep them safe.

“This summer, goal machine Alfie May has gone to Birmingham and captain George Dobson has gone to Wrexham, but I expect Charlton to challenge at the top of League One and possibly get back into the Championship.”

Ones to watch?

Durham said: “Literally everyone is talking about Wrexham, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and it’s understandable.

“Back-to-back promotions mean that Wrexham are in League One and the third tier for the first time since 2005 and they’ve signed well.

“Striker Paul Mullin has a record that any superhero would be proud of – 105 goals in three seasons at the club – he even got a cameo as a superhero as ‘Welshpool’ in the latest Deadpool film this year, but he hasn’t scored at League One level for nearly five years.”

Signing of the summer?

Clarke said: “Marc Leonard was a man in demand this summer after shining on loan at Northampton.

“Fighting off interest from clubs across Europe, the MLS and EFL, it was Birmingham City who landed the Brighton youngster.

“Great on the ball – Leonard’s dynamism will make him a star at St Andrews.”

Durham added: “Peterborough were beaten in the play-offs for the second season running last season and this summer the whole first choice back four have gone.

“talkSPORT’s Darragh MacAnthony has been scouring the lower leagues and may have picked out a serious, street-football attacking midfielder in Belfast boy Chris Conn-Clarke from Altrincham – the National League player of the year.

“That defence could be a worry. Posh have had a 4-3 and a 6-4 in pre-season so expect goals in both nets, as usual, under Darren Ferguson.”

Golden boot contenders?

Clarke said: “In League One its no surprise to see Alfie May being tipped up to retain his Golden Boot.

“He scored 23 in each of the last two years playing for struggling Charlton and Cheltenham, so don’t be shocked if he pushes 30 with title favourites Birmingham.

“Bolton’s Dion Charles and Wrexham’s Paul Mullin are two others in the frame.”

Breakout star?

Clarke said: “Wigan’s 20-year-old centre back Charlie Hughes will end up in the Premier League.

“He’s a composed defender that passes well under pressure, a dominant figure inside both penalty boxes, and after captaining the Latics as a teenager, Hughes clearly has a strong character too.

“This kid is being watched by a lot of clubs.”

League Two

Favourites to go up?

Clarke said: “Newly-promoted Chesterfield are the most fancied side in League Two.

“Paul Cook’s men accrued 182 points across the last two seasons in the National League, so the winning habit is well set.

“The prolific Paddy Madden has left Stockport to partner Will Grigg in attack, so if those two catch fire, the Spireites could be hard to stop.”

Signing of the summer?

Clarke said: “Crawley’s midfield maestro Liam Kelly crushed MK Dons in the play-offs, but Mike Williamson has exacted revenge by persuading the 28-year-old to join them this summer.

“Kelly is small in stature but high in quality. He runs matches at League Two level and will be a top signing.”

Golden boot contenders?

Clarke said: “Notts County’s Alassana Jata netted five in six starts towards the end of last season.

“The Gambian is one to keep your eye on in League Two, especially now that Macaulay Langstaff has moved on to Millwall.

“If they stay fit, I’d also fancy Doncaster’s Joe Ironside and Chesterfield’s Will Grigg to hit 20-plus this term.”

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