There is a very real possibility, as things stand, that Manchester United and Manchester City could be playing Championship football next season, as Football League World takes a closer look at what the division could look like next year with those two involved.

Heading into the international break, Manchester United occupy one of the bottom three places, with only Crystal Palace and Sunderland beneath the Red Devils as things stand, with just one win in their opening ten Premier League games.

Michael Carrick has been dismissed from his post at Old Trafford, as it appears as though former Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur head coach Mauricio Pochettino will leave his post as the USMNT boss to head to the English North West to save the global giants.

Manchester City, meanwhile, sit 3rd in the Premier League right now beneath Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal. With seemingly no chance of relegation based on that, the Citizens await the verdict on the outcome after being found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges brought against them relating to financial wrongdoing and non-cooperation.

A heavy punishment is almost certainly heading their way, with expulsion or a heavy points deduction being bandied about, as Football League World takes a look at what the 2027/28 EFL Championship table would look like, according to AI, if both Manchester clubs suffered the drop.

AI has predicted Birmingham City, Middlesbrough, and Stoke City to be promoted to the Premier League, whilst Burnley, Derby County, and Preston North End head to League One.

24 Lincoln City

AI says: Struggle with the step up in quality and lack the squad depth to compete consistently.

Coming in at 24th is Lincoln City, as whilst the Imps manage to survive their first campaign in the Championship, AI believes they do not have what it takes to sustain themselves in the second tier for another year.

The financial disparity between Lincoln and the rest of the Championship right now is clear to see, and despite the financial influx of another year in the second tier, AI backs the side from Sincil Bank to be unable to build upon that historic finish and head back down to League One.

23 Charlton Athletic

AI says: A difficult season, with an inconsistent attack and too many dropped points.

Charlton Athletic were top of the Championship table after three games, with victories over Derby County, Preston North End, and West Ham United to begin the season.

However, just one win in their following 12 has seen the Addicks slip down the table under Nathan Jones, who, for the first time in his time at The Valley, faces increased pressure to turn results around.

AI backs the Welshman to guide them to safety this year, but next year, it believes they won't be so fortunate.

22 Oxford United

AI says: Enjoy a few good moments after promotion but find the Championship a step too far.

Oxford United spent two years in the Championship between 2024 and 2026, suffering the drop back into League One at the end of last season alongside Leicester City and Sheffield Wednesday.

Out of those three clubs, the U's have adapted best to the trials and tribulations of the third tier, having kept the core members of their squad, such as Cameron Brannagan, Michel Helik, and Mark Harris.

AI believes they will be promoted this year, but after just one year back in the second tier, they will take the final relegation place.

21 Bolton Wanderers

AI says: Competitive in spells but lack the consistency needed to challenge higher up the table.

Bolton Wanderers, following promotion back to the Championship for the first time since 2019 last season, have not looked out of place upon their return to the division, with Steven Schumacher's side playing some wonderful stuff.

AI thinks they will have enough to avoid the drop this year, but not quite enough to build upon that success, and though, by its prediction, Bolton will spend a third year in the Championship, it will be only just, finishing narrowly above the drop zone, and cutting it too close for comfort.

20 Cardiff City

AI says: A fairly difficult campaign, with a mid-table squad that struggles against stronger opposition.

Cardiff City, like Bolton, don't look out of place in the Championship upon their return to the division, as Brian Barry-Murphy has got the Bluebirds playing some scintillating stuff, and in truth, football that is akin to one of the very best in the league.

Unfortunately for Cardiff, despite the sheer number of chances they are able to produce, they have lacked a consistent clinical touch, and though most supporters would be happy with survival, few can't help but feel it could be something more.

AI thinks they will be a Championship club again, but they won't build much beyond that.

19 Wrexham

AI says: Continue their remarkable rise but find life increasingly difficult against bigger, better-funded clubs.

Wrexham have had a difficult start to the year under Phil Parkinson, for a change, as the Welsh outfit, for the first time since the National League, must seriously consider a change in leadership sooner rather than later if results don't drastically improve.

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have invested heavily in the club, both on and off the pitch, and will be expecting a return on that investment before too long, as AI believes they will be a Championship club once again next year.

Beyond that, the Red Dragons, by AI's account, will suffer a bit of a drop and be much closer to the bottom three than the top eight.

18 Huddersfield Town

AI says: Have enough quality to survive, although their promotion momentum eventually fades.

The second promoted club on this list, AI believes Huddersfield Town, under Martin Drury, will have what it takes to fire themselves to glory this season, with the likes of Joe Taylor, Derensili Sanches Fernandes, and Archie Collins leading the way.

The Terriers are backed to carry that momentum into next campaign and survive comfortably, which, if you ask any Huddersfield supporter for that outcome right now, they'd surely bite your hand off.

17 Stockport County

AI says: A respectable first season back, with some impressive results but occasional defensive problems.

The final promoted club, and their first time playing in the second tier since 2002, as well as their first time since it was rebranded to the Championship, Stockport County are backed to continue their rise through the EFL by securing promotion this season.

With Jimmy McNulty replacing Dave Challinor at the helm at Edgeley Park, the Hatters have been backed by AI to not only secure promotion in 2027, but to comfortably survive in 2028, in what would be an incredible achievement for the club.

16 Watford

AI says: Improve on their current struggles but remain an unpredictable and inconsistent side.

Watford have been tipped by many to face the drop this year, with numerous obvious issues both on and off the pitch at Vicarage Road.

Italian owner Gino Pozzo recently appeared in a Spanish court after being accused of committing tax offences relating to Granada, as meanwhile, Watford hover just above the relegation zone, with a mismanaged summer window compounding a difficult year thus far.

Whether Alessio Dionisi makes it to the end of the season remains to be seen, but you'd do well to find any Hornets fan who wouldn't be happy with AI's prediction to not only stay in the Championship this year, but next year as well.

15 Millwall

AI says: Their usual competitiveness and physicality keep them safe, although they lack the quality for a promotion push.

Millwall, off the back of a 3rd place finish in the Championship last season, have struggled to hit those heights again this time around under Alex Neil, as the Scottish boss will point to the sheer amount of injuries they have suffered to key personnel.

AI believes the Lions won't have enough to turn their campaign around and fire themselves towards promotion, maintaining their place in the second tier, before slipping down the division towards the mid-table mediocrity zone.