Championship's six promotion hopefuls and transfers they must bring in

The new Championship campaign begins a month today, when Huddersfield welcome Burnley in the curtain-raiser.

The July 29 clash is the earliest-ever start for the second tier and is as a result of the World Cup taking place in winter later this year. It means a quicker turnaround than usual for clubs, with pre-season shorter and less time for new signings to integrate. Nevertheless, the bookies have had their say and named the favourites to win promotion to the Premier League.

So what will it take for teams to live up to their billing? Here, Mirror Football runs the rule over the top six favourites with the bookies and what they need to prioritise over the next month.

Norwich

The undoubted favourites given the fact they've won the title the last two years they've been in the Championship.

Canaries' supporters are used to yo-yo-ing from the first and second tiers but things may be harder this time around especially if they lose star striker Teemu Pukki. The Finn has scored 29 and 26 goals in each of his last two Championship campaigns and has been a key aspect to those promotions. But comments from his agent about Pukki wanting to play "as high as possible" may unsettle Norwich fans.

Losing him would be a massive blow so Dean Smith will be eager to get some clarity as soon as possible. Another area the Canaries may have to strengthen is in the creativity department. Emi Buendia chipped in with 15 assists two seasons ago but he's now at Villa.

Last term Pukki was top of the assist charts with a meagre four. Finding someone capable of unlocking defences in the Championship is crucial if they are to return at the first time of asking.

Priority : Keeping Pukki and adding a creative midfielder.

Watford

Like Norwich, the Hornets are becoming accustomed to regularly swapping divisions.

The appointment of Rob Edwards looks a bold but exciting appointment and if he can replicate the style of football his Forest Green side played, then Watford fans are in for a treat. He largely operated a 3-4-1-2 system at Rovers so finding players to accommodate into that style, if he chooses to employ it, will be key.

Emmanuel Dennis was one of the few Watford players to emerge with an enhanced reputation last season and if they could somehow keep hold of him it would be a monumental coup.

Similarly, Ismaila Sarr scored 13 times in the Championship two years ago and is another who would help make the difference at the top end of the pitch.

Edwards has said he does not foresee the club bringing in too many players but a handful of canny recruits, combined with stars staying put, will put them on the right path.

Priority : Keeping Sarr and/or Dennis and revamping the centre of defence.

Burnley

The relegated club who are the least fancied to come straight back up, Burnley are entering a new era under Vincent Kompany.

There is a decent-sized rebuild for the Man City legend to undertake in what is his first job in English football. Nick Pope, Ben Mee and James Tarkowski all leaving means big holes in the Clarets' rearguard.

Kompany has hinted at what his transfer policy will be with Luke McNally and Scott Twine on board, indicating young players lower down the EFL will be the main market the club target.

It is up front where the biggest issues need to be addressed though. Wout Weghorst is certain to depart and the remaining strikers - Ashley Barnes, Matej Vydra and Jay Rodriguez - scored just five league goals combined last term.

Add in the likely departures of wide men Dwight McNeil and Maxwell Cornet, Kompany needs at least three forward additions and for them all to hit the ground running.

Priority : Signing at least two forwards to help cope with impending loss of attackers.

West Brom

Steve Bruce knows last season was nowhere near good enough from the Baggies. Despite only taking over in February, the veteran promotion-winner could only lead the side to 10th spot - their lowest finish since 2000.

They entered the transfer market early and the free transfer signings of John Swift and Jed Wallace look masterstrokes. The pair racked up 17 goals and 25 assists combined last term for Reading and Millwall. If Bruce can get those two integrated along with Alex Mowatt in midfield, they should provide plenty of ammunition for Karlan Grant, Grady Diangana and Daryl Dike.

The ingredients for an automatic promotion tilt are all in place.

Priority : Adding goals - they were the lowest scorers in the the top half last term.

Sheff Utd

The Blades fell short in the play-offs last term but there is genuine optimism under Paul Heckingbottom.

Key to their promotion chances this time around will be how they cope without Morgan Gibbs-White. The Wolves loanee was one of the stand-out players in the second tier last time out, with 12 goals and 10 assists. His creativity will be hugely missed and Heckingbottom needs to address that.

Up front the evergreen Billy Sharp scored 15 last season but at 36 he cannot do it all on his own. Oli McBurnie and Rhian Brewster were both recruited for £20m+ fees but neither have pulled up trees since arriving. Add in David McGoldrick's departure and this summer is all about revamping the forward options.

Priority : A striker capable of easing the burden on Sharp.

Middlesbrough

Boro just missed out on the play-offs last season but Chris Wilder's appointment galvanised the club and its supporters.

Wilder has shown his ability in the past to build promotion-winning sides and Darragh Lenihan and Ryan Giles look canny additions. Man City stopper Zack Steffen is believed to be close to joining on loan and that would be a superb signing at this level.

Cashing in on Djed Spence, as looks likely, will give Wilder funds to add further signings. How he spends that money could be crucial.

Priority : Wilder using the Spence cash wisely to make Boro promotion contenders.