AI predicts the final 2025/26 EFL Championship table now the summer transfer window has closed | OneFootball

AI has predicted the second-tier's final table after the window slammed shut on Monday

Despite the Championship season already a month underway, supporters up and down the country could well be altering their pre-season predictions following the closure of the summer transfer window.

Once again, it failed to disappoint as far as the second-tier is concerned, with plenty of transfer sagas lasting over the course of the window as well as several high-profile or shock moves.

With there now being a four-month period before all 24 clubs are allowed to make several changes to their current squads, Football League World has asked AI-based Chatbot, ChatGPT, to predict the division's final table post-Deadline Day.

24 Sheffield United

Despite being extremely active late in the window, AI believes Sheffield United's well-documented disastrous start to life under Ruben Selles will contribute to a relegation campaign, just a season after losing the play-off final at Wembley to Sunderland.

The Spaniard is already the subject of mass pressure, with many at Bramall Lane already calling for COH Sports to pull the trigger on his tenure in the Steel City after suffering defeat in all four of their Championship encounters so far this season.

23 Swansea City

Swansea City have embarked on a new era under Alan Sheehan, whilst the likes of Snoop Dogg and Luka Modrić have both become minority stakeholders in the club. Yet, despite the optimism surrounding the South Wales club at present, AI believes they will fall into League One for the first time since 2007/08.

The Swans have made a flurry of incomings in the Irishman's first full season in charge, with the standouts being a £7m move for Adam Idah from Celtic, Zedaine Inoussa's switch from BK Hacken and the loan capture of Burnley winger, Manuel Benson.

Portsmouth sit in eighth heading into the first international break, having taken seven points out of a possible 12. However, AI believes John Mousinho's side will suffer 'second season syndrome' and be relegated in May.

Pompey will be hoping Fratton Park remains a fortress this term after accumulating the majority of their points last season on home turf, whilst retaining Josh Murphy's services amid late transfer window interest from Leicester City will also boost their prospects of yet another solid campaign despite AI's prediction.

Against all odds, AI believes Sheffield Wednesday will preserve their Championship status.

The Owls' off-season troubles have been well-documented, with several experienced players departing at the expiration of their contracts and after handing in notices amid a continuation of delayed wage payments, leaving Henrik Pedersen with a seemingly 'impossible task'.

Despite fan protests against controversial owner, Dejphon Chansiri, AI believes that the Wednesday squad will continue to be galvanised by the situation, and that desire will see them narrowly survive in the second-tier for a third consecutive campaign.

20 Oxford United

AI has predicted a 20th-place finish for Oxford United, who picked up their first point of the season with a 2-2 draw against Coventry City last time out.

It has been a slow start to the campaign for Gary Rowett's side despite the retention of key midfielder Cameron Brannagan and a handful of incomings to the Kassam Stadium - the majority of whom are loan transfers such as Ben Davies, Luke Harris, Will Lankshear and Nik Prelec.

Despite it being a slight regression in terms of an overall finish compared to 2024/25, U's supporters would be satisfied with yet another season of Championship football, especially when comparing the club's resources to a plethora of divisional counterparts.

19 Derby County

Derby County were extremely active throughout the summer, with John Eustace recruiting 13 new signings at Pride Park. However, AI believes this will only yield a 19th-place finish.

The Rams are yet to emerge victorious this season, but there is a belief among supporters in this part of the East Midlands that their club can make strides of progress in Eustace's first full season once everything clicks into place.

Summer signing Carlton Morris has also hit the ground running, currently one of three players in the division to have found the back of the net on four occasions.

18 Queens Park Rangers

It had been an underwhelming start to life as QPR boss for Julien Stephan prior to his first league win in charge against Charlton Athletic, with AI believing the Rs will drop to 18th place under the Frenchman.

Rangers have also made several tweaks to their squad this summer, with the standout piece of business at Loftus Road seeing Richard Kone move from Wycombe Wanderers after his 18-goal haul in League One last season.

AI believes that the Hoops will flirt with relegation at some points of the season but will eventually steer themselves clear of the drop zone.

17 Charlton Athletic

AI believes Charlton Athletic will finish 17th, which those connected to the Addicks would certainly take after last season's promotion via the League One play-off final.

Under the management of the experienced Nathan Jones, it has been a mixed start to the season at The Valley, although the Welshman's side, unsurprisingly, have remained competitive in each of their four encounters thus far.

16 Blackburn Rovers

AI believes Blackburn Rovers will end the campaign in 16th, a finish that would be slightly underwhelming to those at Ewood Park after last season's near miss on the play-offs.

Rovers' summer transfer window was dominated by the transfer saga involving former captain Lewis Travis, who eventually moved to Derby County, although Valerien Ismael has since been able to soften the blow with a handful of midfield additions such as Moussa Baradji and Taylor Gardner-Hickman.

AI believes defensive frailties will largely contribute to the aforementioned regression, which isn't exactly unrealistic given Blackburn have kept just one clean sheet so far.

15 Hull City

Despite being hit with a transfer fee restriction in July, AI believes Sergej Jakirovic will end his first season in charge of Hull City with a 15th-place finish.

After last season's extremely narrow escape from relegation, the new Bosnian head coach has seen 10 new signings come through the door, including experienced Championship campaigners such as John Lundstram, Oli McBurnie, Semi Ajayi and the returning Joe Gelhardt on loan.

Retaining Charlie Hughes and Ivor Pandur were also major plus-points for the Tigers, although AI believes a mid-table finish will come as a result of entertaining football mixed with inconsistency, which has already been evident.