Championship Predictions 2026

[BackInTheDHSS]

4 minutes ago, CoffeeandTV said:

Oxford's top three power against Poole reserve power for the title, in my opinion. Those are the two teams that stand out, although I think it looks a more competitive league than we've seen in the last few seasons (3rd to 8th could be any order, with Scunthorpe last).

1. Oxford
2. Poole
3. Glasgow
4. Berwick
5. Plymouth
6. Redcar
7. Edinburgh
8. Workington
9. Scunthorpe

Needs Erik Riss to stay fit all season, though. If he does - and he shows the sort of form he showed in the Premiership last season - he's arguably the signing of the year in the Champ. It's a big IF though. If he's out for large parts of the season, there's no guest/replacement that will offer his scoring power on that average.

[poole keith]

11 hours ago, SteveLyric2 said:

They sell loads of admission tickets at Wimborne Road every meeting.🤑

Down last season tho,and who knows what effect a 12%price hike will have on this seasons attendance??

[Sings4Speedway]

10 hours ago, Noelinho said:

That is after a two point deduction though. They did look like they could make the playoffs for a chunk of the season, but let themselves down very badly on the road - but even then, the closest they got to winning was at Poole and Glasgow. A very enigmatic team.

To be fair thats how the Workington sides have been built since their return with sh#t or bust riders, unpredictable makes for great viewing (providing they turn up), however if a season of consistency hits then big things could happen.

2 hours ago, Chef1 said:

Plymouth will surprise lots of teams 

I really hope so. There appears to be a better vibe coming from the club than in previous years. Getting off to a good start and a consistent home surface are key

[therefused]

Poole (at a canter)

Redcar

Oxford

Glasgow

Workington

Edinburgh

Pymouth

Berwick

Scunthorpe

[Robinh88]

30 minutes ago, therefused said:

Poole (at a canter)

Redcar

Oxford

Glasgow

Workington

Edinburgh

Pymouth

Berwick

Scunthorpe

Berwick will make changes imo!

[foreverblue]

1 hour ago, therefused said:

Poole (at a canter)

Redcar

Oxford

Glasgow

Workington

Edinburgh

Pymouth

Berwick

Scunthorpe

Glasgow may make changes if either of the new guys dont work out.

[SteveLyric2]

4 hours ago, poole keith said:

Down last season tho,and who knows what effect a 12%price hike will have on this seasons attendance??

Attendance wasn't down but sponsorship was! Season passes were on par. Should have increased admission price last season - as many other clubs did - as they haven't increased for a couple of years. Not bad really considering its one of their main (only) revenue streams.

Edited 13 hours ago by SteveLyric2

[therefused]

2 hours ago, foreverblue said:

Glasgow may make changes if either of the new guys dont work out.

yep, which sort of makes this whole topic pointless!

[Fozzie4388]

The Rest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Scunthorpe 

[Bandit59]

Berwick to miss the playoffs with bad luck,think Plymouth will be the dark horses, Glasgow ,Oxford and Poole 

[Tinker]

It seems to me as though Scunthorpe have purposely built a side to finish last. Maybe Godfrey has already had a bet at the local bookies. In any event, can't really fathom what they're playing at. 

[Neila]

7 hours ago, SteveLyric2 said:

Attendance wasn't down but sponsorship was! Season passes were on par. Should have increased admission price last season - as many other clubs did - as they haven't increased for a couple of years. Not bad really considering its one of their main (only) revenue streams.

Worky have capped admission prices for the 3rd year in a row 😁

[SteveLyric2]

24 minutes ago, Neila said:

Worky have capped admission prices for the 3rd year in a row 😁

..and take all of the stadium income presumably!?

[Mgas]

2 hours ago, Bandit59 said:

Berwick to miss the playoffs with bad luck,think Plymouth will be the dark horses, Glasgow ,Oxford and Poole 

At some point we have to be due some good luck. I’d really like to see Berwick in the playoffs but unless the new team members can really learn Shielfield quickly it’s not gonna happen again. 

[Fromafar]

44 minutes ago, Mgas said:

At some point we have to be due some good luck. I’d really like to see Berwick in the playoffs but unless the new team members can really learn Shielfield quickly it’s not gonna happen again. 

Would tend too agree.Were still on track though which is a bonus the days.

[Youhave2minutes]

Scunny to finish with the wooden spoon.

[Neila]

1 hour ago, SteveLyric2 said:

..and take all of the stadium income presumably!?

A good business model then 🙃

[Paddy The Rebel]

My table Prediction will be 

1.Poole

2.Oxford 

3.Glasgow

4.Workington

5.Redcar

6.Plymouth

7.Berwick

8.Edinburgh

 

 

 

9.Scunthorpe 

very hard to pick were 3-8 goes but I feel Glasgow and Workington top4 will get them through enough meetings to get them into play offs.

[Neila]

As long as you finish in the top 4 anyone of the 4 could win the league, just hope the wheels fall off the pilots bus and they finish out of the top 4 🤪  my unbiased top 4 are worky Plymouth Redcar and Glasgow

[MB723]

1. Oxford - Weakest reserves in the league but best top 5 (sounds familiar 🤔), think they'll be very strong at the start of the season and will be able to hold the top spot though might not be as strong playoff time as I think the reserves will hold them back over 2 legs. Hopetully Erik stays well this season as he'll be scoring big points.
2. Poole - Potentially the strongest reserve pair by the end of the season (though think they'll end up being better away than at home) and a very good 1 and 5. Gilkes just back from a big injury so might be a bit slow at the start but think he'll grow into a very important rider for the Pirates. Kerr and Bowes are inconsistent which could hurt against stronger teams.
3. Glasgow - All depends on how Mario and Kevin do, if they do well (6+ average) Glasgow could dominate but if they are just staying around their 5 point average or lower the team could just struggle to get any momentum. Otherwise probably the most solid team of the 9, Bomber, Howarth and Flint make a very good top 3 and Hodder and Hagon should be a strong pair.
4. Plymouth - As long as Klima rides most meetings I think Plymouth have a great chance this year, lots of experience and will always have the strongest reserve. Really want to see Plymouth do well.
5. Workington - Team relies on Cook in my opinion, if he doesn't disappear the team has a good chance at the league, JJ I think will only get better from last year and Batch is a good rider to have at 3 or 5, if Cook does disappear though I don't think the team can cover him and they'll struggle. Think Tate will come back to form this year and Jakobsen will be interesting to watch.
6. Edinburgh - Solid looking team but I feel Paco, Kye and Sedgeman can disappear at points in the season which could hold them back. Will be interesting to see if Dan can keep up his improvement and see how he does at number 1. Loftus is also an exciting prospect.
7. Berwick - Quite like the look of the team but everytime I predict them doing well the riders all end up in an ambulance by the end of May it seems. Kildemand, Palovaara and Morris make a strong top 3.
8. Redcar - Not convinced by this team, if Ace keeps up last years form they have the strongest reserve pair for the early season (though think Poole's pair will overtake them) and a good number 1 but not convinced there is much improvement in the 2-5. Not enough power in the middle will make it difficult to claw back if they go down early but also will be difficult to build a lead.
9. Scunthorpe - Strong number 1 and I rate Harrison, apart from that nothing much going for them. Maybe they can make some changes when Picko gets an average but who is out there to bring in?

Think the 1-3 can be in any order and 4-8 is incredibly close so should be a very entertaining year. Think the favorites all have different strengths so will be interesting to see over 2 legs who'll come out on top.