Norwich to be automatically promoted this season is the perhaps most surprising tip from former Watford defender Paul Robinson.

The Watford Observer asked Robbo – who coached at both Millwall and Birmingham last season – to give a brief view on each of the 24 Championship teams as the new season is about to get underway.

Like many, he thinks Leeds will return to the Premier League this time around, and he’s taken the Canaries to go up with them.

The 45-year-old made more than 250 appearances for Watford, and almost choked on his own words as he tipped Luton to reach the play-offs.

He also feels the key to Watford’s season is allowing Tom Cleverley to have the time that many other head coaches have not been given.

Here are Robbo’s team-by-team thoughts:

Blackburn: “They struggled a bit last season but then just pipped Birmingham to stay up at the end of last season when I was there. Losing Sam Gallagher will hurt them and if they lose Sammie Szmodics too then that’s a lot of goals to take away. Could be another tough season for them.”

Bristol City: “They’re a team I’ve always liked watching, particularly now Liam Manning is in charge because he always plays a good style of football. They always seem to have a lot of good young talent coming through. A team that can hurt opponents but might be vulnerable at the back.”

Burnley: “Scott Parker has gone into Turf Moor and has achieved promotion to the Premier League before. He knows what is required, but he’ll have to lift the squad after relegation and also impose his style of play. If he can keep the group happy and get them playing how he wants, they will be right up there.”

Cardiff: “I think they might struggle this season. They are a team that physically tries to bully you, and want to run in behind onto long balls. I can see them being very up and down, and will probably be in and around the bottom six for much of the time.”

Coventry: “They always seem to buy well in the summer, but then also seem to take a while to get going. Mark Robins is a top manager and Coventry have been rewarded for sticking by him. They are definitely play-off contenders in my book.”

Derby: “Paul Warne always likes to have a good amount of experience in his squads. The big question is how they cope with the step up after being promoted, and I think they might find it hard. I fear they might go straight back down.”

Hull City: “This could be a tough season, because Liam Rosenior had them playing in a specific way and just missed out on the play-offs. The new head coach Tim Walter is also new to English football, and he’ll need time. They look mid-table to me.”

Leeds Utd: “Quite rightly one of the favourites for promotion. They had the heartbreak of missing out in the play-offs and they’ve sold a few players, but they will also attract good players just because of who the club is. With their quality and following they should go up this time.”

Luton: “In Rob Edwards they have a top manager, who has done a fantastic job since he went there. He’ll be hoping he can get through to the end of the transfer window without losing too many more players. For me, they are definitely play-off contenders.”

Middlesbrough: “They have become a very strong side under Michael Carrick, who always has them very well organised and the players know their jobs. He also seems to find very good quality players when it comes to signings. I’m confident they will be in the top six.”

Millwall: “We know they are a very direct side that likes to get in the faces of opponents. In this year’s Championship I see a lot more teams that will want to get the ball down and play, and that might test Millwall. They also have a squad that has quite a high average age.”

Norwich: “They always seem to assemble a decent squad, and David Wagner got them playing in a way that achieved results in the second half of the season. I think they’ll be in top 10 again at least, and might just surprise people and go up automatically.”

Oxford: “They had a great season, won the play-off final and I think they’ve had a really good summer in terms of recruitment. They’ve just signed Matt Phillips, who is a player I really like. I don’t see them struggling like many people are predicting.”

Plymouth: “They struggled but survived last season, this season I think they will struggle again. Wayne Rooney will want to impose his style on the team, but he’s lost some good players, like Dan Scarr going to Wrexham.”

Portsmouth: “Winning automatic promotion was massive for them. They could be a team that is a bit of a surprise package. John Mousinho has assembled a group that play decent football and I think they will be an exciting side to watch.”

Preston: “I think Preston might struggle this season. They started well a year ago but then fell away, and I think they will find it hard. I can see them spending a lot of time in and around the relegation zone.”

QPR: “Marti Cifuentes came in and did a tremendous job of steering them away from relegation last season. I just don’t know if they have the quality to get above mid-table, and I think they’ll be close to the bottom six again.”

Sheffield United: “Chris Wilder is rebuilding a squad at Bramall Lane, but he’s had success there before. Will he play 3-5-2 or go to a back four? Chris knows this division as well as anyone, and I think they will be contenders for the play-offs.”

Sheffield Wednesday: “At the end of last season they showed they can win important games when they need to, and that’s due to Danny Rohl. He stabilised the team then got them moving in the right direction. I do think, though, that they will do well to get out of the bottom half this season.”

Stoke: “Steve Schumacher will need to get them firing regularly after taking over at the end of last season. They will always attract players because of who the club are, and the signing of Sam Gallagher shows that. They’ll be disappointed if they aren’t in the hunt for a play-off place.”

Sunderland: “A team I think might struggle. I think their squad lacks experience, and they will need to make a solid start to get some confidence into their younger players. I think they are a bottom-half side though.”

Swansea: “In Luke Williams they have a manager who likes to attack, but they have been a team that has looked vulnerable at the back in recent seasons. They should be safely in mid-table, but they might struggle if they are still too easy to score against.”

Watford: “I think they need to get off to a fast start, because we know questions will be asked if they don’t. I have a great deal of respect for Tom Cleverley, and he did a very good job at the end of last season. I hope he’s given the time and patience he deserves. If so, comfortably in mid-table, but if not, it might be tough.”

West Brom: “With the squad they had last season they should have been in the play-offs. They’ve lost a few good players this summer and that could make for a hard start. Carlos Corberan is a very good coach who gets the best out of teams, and if he gets them firing then they are play-off contenders.”

Champions: Leeds

Automatic promotion: Norwich

Play-offs: Middlesbrough, West Brom, Burnley, Luton

Relegation: Derby, Plymouth, Cardiff.