The Championship returns! Will Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton bounce back? Can Birmingham and Wrexham challenge?

Simeon Gholam is joined by Andy Hinchcliffe and Luke Chambers on the Essential EFL podcast to look ahead to the new Championship season.The guests look at the prospective fate of the three relegated clubs in Ipswich, Leicester and Southampton, if Sheffield United can recover from Wembley heartache and how the three promoted clubs of Birmingham City, Wrexham and Charlton may get on.The panel then turns its attention to the current plight of Sheffield Wednesday and whether there are any dark horses in the league that could surprise the second tier.It all starts on Friday August 8 when Birmingham City host Ipswich live on Sky Sports. Every game over the opening weekend is also available to watch, either via Sky Sports+ or on the Sky Sports app.Essential EFL is a Sky Sports podcast. Listen to every episode here: skysports.com/essential-eflYou can also listen to Essential EFL on your smart speaker by saying "ask Global Player to play Essential EFL".For more EFL news, head to skysports.com/footballFor advertising opportunities email: [email protected] Essential EFL is a Sky Sports podcast. Listen to every episode here: skysports.com/essential-eflYou can also listen to Essential EFL on your smart speaker by saying "ask Global Player to play Essential EFL".For more EFL news, head to skysports.com/footballFor advertising opportunities email: [email protected]