Southampton were the last team in the EFL Championship to officially miss out on a spot in the play-off final after their expulsion following their admission of spying on three Championship sides.
While the football club’s next steps remain unclear for now, their 23 opponents for the 2026/27 season have been confirmed, following the conclusion of the League One season.
No matter the results of matchweek one in England’s second tier, none of the three promoted sides will occupy the bottom of the table - Southampton’s four deducted points have made sure of that.
The Saints will fancy their chances against these three, no matter who is in charge of the club, with question marks over Tonda Eckert’s future - but nobody in the Championship is ever a pushover.
Lincoln City
Under manager Michael Skubala, Lincoln City finished top of League One, despite having one of the division’s lowest wage structures.
The Imps ended bottom for average possession, but scored the most goals and conceded the fewest. Their direct, counter-attacking style of play helped them punch above their weight and could continue to do so in the Championship.
Championship mainstay Bristol City recently triggered manager Skubala’s contract, but the 43-year-old is set to stay put and sign a new contract. The Saints haven’t played Lincoln in the league since 1961, now 65 years ago.
Cardiff City
Cardiff City looked set on returning to the Championship at the first time of asking, under manager Brian Barry-Murphy, before a poor vein of form temporarily damaged their hopes.
By the end of the season, the Welsh side ended 14 points clear of third place, comfortably promoted in the end.
The Saints played Cardiff twice in the 2023/24 Championship season - Stuart Armstrong’s last game for the club was in the return fixture towards the end of the season.
Bolton Wanderers
The Wanderers finished fifth in League One before demolishing Stockport County in the play-off final at Wembley.
Managed by Steve Schumacher, who guided Plymouth Argyle to the Championship in 2022/23 and then kept them up before leaving for Stoke City, Bolton will be a tough team to beat.
It’s been 21 years since Bolton and Southampton met in the league, but they will do so again next season.
The Championship is shaping up to be tougher than ever, with three good teams, with either strong financial might or great ownership, coming up from League One.
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