Hull, Leeds, Luton and Middlesbrough are the next four clubs under the microscope as we look ahead to 2019/20.
Hull City
After a difficult start to the 2018/19 season, a sequence of six wins in a row suggested Hull might be dark horses for the Play-Offs as they moved to within four points of the top-six. But their form tailed off after the remarkable run and they were unable to maintain the momentum required to gatecrash the party. Former Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann will lead the Tigers this coming season, after Nigel Adkins parted company with the club at the end of his contract.
Last season: 13th
Top scorer: Jarrod Bowen (22)
Dafabet promotion odds: 12/1
2019/20 fixtures: Craven Cottage 02/11/19, KCOM Stadium 11/01/20
Last five meetings:
Hull (Bowen, Dicko) 2-2 Fulham (Kamara 2) – 30/12/17
Fulham (Ayité, Johansen) 2-1 Hull (Bowen) – 13/09/17
Fulham (Aluko, Martin, Sessegnon, Johansen) 4-1 Hull (Evandro) – 29/01/17
Fulham 0-1 Hull (Hernandez pen) – 23/01/16
Hull (Elmohamady, Aluko) 2-1 Fulham (Cairney) – 19/08/15
Leeds United
After spending much of the campaign inside the top-two, Leeds’ form dipped at the worst possible time, and they were pipped to the second automatic promotion spot by Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. They then seemed in control of their Play-Off tie against Derby County, but a barmy second leg at Elland Road saw the Rams sneak through to Wembley 4-3 on aggregate courtesy of a late goal. Despite the disappointment, Marcelo Bielsa’s presence at Leeds has seen an upturn in morale and fortunes, and fans would have been delighted at the recent news that he’ll still be at the helm this coming season.
Last season: 3rd
Top scorer: Kemar Roofe (15)
Dafabet promotion odds: 9/5
2019/20 fixtures: Craven Cottage 21/12/19, Elland Road 18/03/20
Last five meetings:
Fulham (McDonald, Mitrović) 2-0 Leeds – 03/04/18
Leeds 0-0 Fulham – 15/08/17
Fulham (Cairney) 1-1 Leeds (Ream og) – 07/03/17
Leeds (Wood) 1-1 Fulham (Cairney) – 16/08/16
Leeds (Cook) 1-1 Fulham (Cairney) – 23/02/16
Luton Town
Luton managed to claim the League One title despite the loss of their manager Nathan Jones to Stoke City in January. Mick Harford – who had previously played for and managed the Hatters – took charge on an interim basis, and successfully continued the good work of his predecessor, although they didn’t make sure of the title until the final day. Graeme Jones – who worked as Roberto Martinez’s number two with Belgium, and most recently under Darren Moore at West Brom – has been appointed their manager going into the 2019/20 campaign.
Last season: 1st (League One)
Top scorer: James Collins (25)
Dafabet promotion odds: 14/1
2019/20 fixtures: Craven Cottage 23/10/19, Kenilworth Road 26/12/19
Last five meetings:
Luton 0-3 Fulham (Hayles 2, Hayward) – 21/12/99
Fulham (Horsfield, Davis) 2-2 Luton (George, Spring) – 11/12/99
Luton 0-4 Fulham (Horsfield 2, Trollope, Hayles) – 09/03/99
Fulham (Neilson) 1-3 Luton (Gray, Douglas, Davis) – 03/10/98
Fulham (Lightbourne) 1-2 Luton (Marshall, Thorpe) – 27/01/98
Middlesbrough
After reaching the Play-Off Semi-Finals and some hefty summer recruitment, Boro began the 2018/19 campaign with hopes of a top-two finish. Those ambitions faded away but they looked nailed on for another shot at the Play-Offs, until a disastrous run of six consecutive defeats in March/April saw them fall significantly behind the chasing pack. They turned things around, winning five of their final six, but they missed out on sixth spot to Derby County on the last day. Tony Pulis then departed, with former player and coach Jonathan Woodgate taking the reins.
Last season: 7th
Top scorer: Britt Assombalonga (16)
Dafabet promotion odds: 15/4
2019/20 fixtures: Riverside Stadium 26/10/19, Craven Cottage 18/01/20
Last five meetings:
Middlesbrough 0-1 Fulham (Norwood pen) – 13/01/18
Fulham (Kamara) 1-1 Middlesbrough (Christie) – 23/09/17
Fulham (De Sart og, Christensen) 2-1 Middlesbrough (Nugent) – 24/08/16
Fulham 0-2 Middlesbrough (Adomah, Leadbitter pen) – 27/02/16
Middlesbrough 0-0 Fulham – 17/10/15