Yorkshire Post Opinion

Prepare yourselves for a season of Yorkshire domination.

From the Championship where Middlesbrough look almost certainties for promotion, down to Huddersfield or Sheffield Wednesday in League One and then Bradford or Rotherham in League Two, we look set for a very good year right across the Broad Acres.

While Boro will go up as champions, expect the likes of Hull, Sheffield United, Doncaster and even Leeds to make a play-off charge in what looks a very ordinary Championship.

We could also have a Yorkshire one-two in both League One and League Two.

Predictions

Championship: Middlesbrough.

League One: Huddersfield Town.

League Two: Bradford City.

Player to watch: David Nugent (Portsmouth).

Name: Richard Sutcliffe

Position: Chief Football Writer

After two seasons that have brought the less-than-spectacular return for Yorkshire football of one promotion and three relegations, can this be the year when fortunes change? To an extent, yes, with Middlesbrough and Bradford City looking a good bet in their respective divisions, while Huddersfield Town possess the quality to win a return to the second tier. It is at Doncaster Rovers, however, where I expect the potential big story to be with Sean O'Driscoll's side capable of following Burnley and Blackpool in upsetting the odds in the Championship.

Predictions

Championship: Middlesbrough.

League One: Southampton.

League Two: Bradford City.

Player to watch: Tom Cairney (Hull City).

Name: Ian Appleyard

Position: Football writer

The fight for the title of 'Yorkshire's top club' is close to call. With added clout offered by parachute payments, Middlesbrough are best equipped with Sheffield United next, albeit in the play-offs.

Hull's priority is staying alive after over-spending in the Premier League but Nigel Pearson's appointment as manager will avert the threat of a second consecutive relegation.

Leeds need to invest more in the team if they are to challenge.

Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield Town can finish in the top four in League One, while In League Two, Rotherham and Bradford should both go up.

Predictions

Championship: Middlesbrough.

League One: Southampton.

League Two: Burton Albion.

Player to watch: Daniel Jones (Sheffield Wednesday).

Name: Robert Gledhill

Position: Assistant Sports Editor

Money talks in football like never before and that is why I expect Huddersfield Town to have the edge over both Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday in the battle for the League One title. Town are backed by a multi-millionaire chairman in Dean Hoyle while the Saints and Owls have suffered financial problems over recent times. The Championship looks wide open but a glut of Yorkshire derbies could conspire against our clubs – derby doubles being a rarity with so much local pride at stake. Don't be surprised if there are takeover moves at Elland Road if Simon Grayson gets Leeds off to a flying start.

Predictions

Championship: Nottingham Forest.

League One: Huddersfield Town.

League Two: Oxford United.

Player to watch: Robert Snodgrass (Leeds United).

Name: Richard Hercock

Position: Sports writer

If Sheffield Wednesday can win their off-field battles, then I expect the long-suffering Owls to make an instant return to the Championship. If relegation last season wasn't bad enough, Wednesday then saw their chairman walk out, long-expected investment disappear, then the taxman takes them to the High Court. Alan Irvine has replaced many of the under-performers in the guise of Francis Jeffers and Leon Clarke with the more established strikers in Neil Mellor and Clinton Morrison. Elsewhere, I back Nigel Pearson to take Hull straight back to the Premier League, while Huddersfield, Bradford City and York City will also be promoted.

Predictions

Championship: Hull City.

League One: Southampton.

League Two: Bradford City.

Player to watch: Kris Boyd (Middlesbrough).

Name: Nick Westby

Position: Sports writer

Predicting the Championship is never easy and the Yorkshire mini-league is a microcosm of the division, with an outstanding promotion candidate difficult to identify. A case could be made for all six of our clubs to trouble the top six but I don't see Middlesbrough sweeping all before them. Doncaster could be the dark horses, while Hull and Sheffield United should figure in the play-off mix.

In League One it is time Huddersfield delivered, likewise Bradford City in League Two. If Sheffield Wednesday and Rotherham can hang onto their coat tails, then it could be a memorable campaign.

Predictions

Championship: Cardiff City.

League One: Southampton.

League Two: Southend United.

Player to watch: Billy Sharp (Doncaster Rovers).