Dean Saunders revealed a surprise name as Championship promotion candidates when discussing his former clubs in an interview with Football FanCast.
Saunders backs Derby County for Premier League promotion
The Championship is always an extremely competitive league, and given the eye-watering money clubs make simply by competing in the Premier League, it is becoming increasingly difficult for teams who have been outside the top flight for some time to compete.
However, there are some recent success stories that prove it is possible to go up on more of a modest budget, with Luton Town triumphing over Coventry City in the 2022-23 play-off final, while Ipswich Town achieved automatic promotion in the 2023-24 season.
Of course, the likes of Leicester City and Southampton are likely to be among the favourites next season, having both returned to the top flight immediately after being relegated in recent years, but Saunders believes a different team could be capable of going all the way.
Indeed, speaking exclusively to Football FanCast in partnership with NewBettingSites.uk, the ex-Derby County man named his former club as promotion candidates, given that John Eustace, a manager he rates highly, is now at the helm with the Rams.
“Derby are still getting 30,000 crowds and they’re a big club. I loved it there when I was there. They’ve signed some good players, and hopefully they get the funds injected in to give John Eustace. He’s obviously a talented manager, he seems to do well wherever he goes.
“He was unlucky to lose his job at Birmingham and then I don’t know what happened at Blackburn, that ended abruptly and he left, maybe he was promised things that he didn’t get and he’s gone to Derby, which is a great move for him.
“Because if he gets them going now, this year, they’ll get back in the Premier League.”
Derby could have what it takes to achieve promotion
It is a bold claim to suggest the Rams could achieve promotion next season, given that they have recently spent time in League One, while also only narrowly avoiding relegation from the Championship last year, but they could have what it takes to go all the way.
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A lack of goals was a real problem for Eustace’s side last season, netting just 48 times in the league, and the manager has brought in three new forwards who guarantee goals, with Carlton Morris and Andreas Weimann both very experienced at Championship level.
New signing
Championship appearances
Goals
Assists
Morris
145
42
14
Weimann
368
74
42
Derby also proved they mean business by bringing in Patrick Agyemang for over £7m, who has caught the eye in the MLS during the 2025 campaign, picking up six goals and one assist in 16 games.
With experienced defender Danny Batth also being brought in to bolster Eustace’s defensive options, there is a real chance that Saunders’ bold prediction could be on the money.
