[h=3]By Charlotte Marsh[/h]Last Updated: 01/08/16 4:25pm
Who will be the Sky Bet Championship golden boot winner for the 2016/17 season?
With the Sky Bet Championship season fast approaching, we take a look at the contenders to finish top scorer in the Championship.
It's set to be a fascinating*campaign*in English football's second tier with Newcastle, Aston Villa, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday among the big-name clubs going head-to-head for promotion to the Premier League.*
But to get there*you need a top goalscorer, as Burnley's*Andre Gray proved with his*25-goal haul helping Burnley into the top flight in 2015/16.
So who are the contenders for this year's top scorer prize and what are their odds with English Football League sponsors Sky Bet?
[h=3]Ollie's Championship predictions[/h]Ian Holloway predicts the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship table
[h=3]1. Dwight Gayle - Newcastle (Sky Bet odds 8/1)[/h]
Dwight Gayle arrived at Newcastle United last month from Crystal Palace
One of Newcastle's new faces is the favourite to bag the most goals this season.
Gayle made the move to Newcastle in July 2016, after*an injury-hit three seasons in south London with Crystal Palace. The striker often had an impact from the bench for Palace, though, most famously netting a brace to break*Liverpool hearts in the famous 3-3 draw in*2014/15. He ended his time with the Eagles with 25 goals in 75*appearances.*
Gayle netted 25 goals in 75 appearances for the Eagles during his three seasons at the club
Now under the guidance of Rafa Benitez, the striker has already scored twice in pre-season and is looking to hit the big 20-goal barrier in the Sky Bet*Championship.*
"Most strikers want to get in the 20-goal bracket and hopefully I can do that this season," Gayle told The Chronicle.*"We will see where we go from there."
[h=3]Fulham vs Newcastle[/h]
August 5, 2016, 7:00pm
Live on
[h=3]= 2. Ross McCormack - Fulham (Sky Bet odds 10/1)[/h]
Ross McCormack came in second behind Andre Gray for the Golden Boot last term
While rumours continue that McCormack could be moving elsewhere, he currently remains*a Fulham player and fans will certainly be wanting to keep him around.*
He ended in second place for the top scorer accolade behind Gray last term - scoring 21 times - with former strike*partner Moussa Dembele finishing with 15 goals to his name.*
[h=3]Fulham season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan's views, predictions and odds ahead of Fulham's 2016/17 campaign
Overall, Fulham had a rather underwhelming and turbulent season but captain McCormack was the shining light and is being tipped by Sky Bet to dazzle again this term.
[h=3]= 2. Rudy Gestede - Aston Villa (Sky Bet odds 10/1)[/h]
Rudy Gestede is already a proven goalscorer in the Championship after his spell with Blackburn
Gestede arrived from Championship side Blackburn last summer and the club will be hoping he can recreate his super scoring form for Rovers at Villa Park.
He's been there and done it in the tough second tier, netting 35 goals in 73*games during his 20-month spell at Ewood Park.*
[h=3]Aston Villa season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan opinion, predictions and odds ahead of Aston Villa's 2016/17 campaign
Gestede managed six in 25 appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions last term but the Sky Bet Championship will perhaps prove to be better territory for the striker, who won the league title with Cardiff in the 2011/12 season.*
[h=3]3. Aleksandar Mitrovic - Newcastle (Sky Bet odds 12/1)[/h]
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates his equalising header against Sunderland last season
With Newcastle the favourites to bounce straight back into the Premier League, the fiery Mitrovic is being backed for a shot at the Sky Bet Championship top-scorer prize*this season.*
The Serbia international netted nine times in 36 appearances for the Magpies last term, including an iconic header against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, where he was booked for an emphatic shirt-removing celebration.*
[h=3]Newcastle season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan's views, predictions and odds ahead of Newcastle United's's 2016/17 campaign
Although he is suspended for the first four games*after a red card in the final day win over Tottenham, there will still be plenty of time for the striker to hit his stride.*
[h=2]Who else is in the running?*[/h][h=4]Glenn Murray - Brighton (Sky Bet odds 16/1)[/h]
Glenn Murray has a great scoring record in the Championship, helping Crystal Palace to promotion in the 2012/13 season
Another player who has been there and done the job in the Championship is Murray. His 30 goals in 42 appearances for Crystal Palace in the 2012/13 season secured their promotion to the Premier League.
The striker has now gone on a season-long*loan to former club Brighton from Bournemouth, with the mission of helping the Seagulls go one better than their heart-breaking last-day defeat to miss out on a play-off spot.
Murray will be hoping to make his mark once again.
[h=3]Brighton season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan opinion, predictions and odds ahead of Brighton's 2016/17 campaign
[h=4]Cameron Jerome - Norwich (Sky Bet odds 16/1)[/h]
Cameron Jerome scored for Norwich in the 2015 Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough to see them promoted
Second time lucky for Jerome? He has already tasted Sky Bet Championship success with Norwich,*winning the play-off final in the 2014/15 season, where he scored the opening goal and picked up the man of the match award.*
However, he only managed three goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season as Norwich slipped back into the second tier and will be looking to replicate his play-off winning form again*this term.*
[h=3]VOTE: 2016/17 Championship table[/h]Who'll finish where in this season's Sky Bet Championship? Rank the teams ahead of the big kick-off
[h=4]Scott Hogan - Brentford (Sky Bet odds 16/1)[/h]Although he had an injury-hit 2015/16 season, Scott Hogan did score seven goals in the seven Sky Bet Championship games he appeared in and if he remains fit, could be a big player for the Bees this term.*
Scott Hogan netted seven goals in seven games during the 2015/16 campaign
[h=3]Other notable mentions[/h]Chris Martin - Derby (Sky Bet odds 20/1)
Fernando Forestieri - Sheffield Wednesday (Sky Bet odds 20/1)
Britt Assombalonga - Nottingham Forest (Sky Bet odds 20/1)
[h=3]Sheff Wed vs A Villa[/h]
August 7, 2016, 4:15pm
Live on
Jordan Ayew - Aston Villa (Sky Bet odds 25/1)
Will Grigg - Wigan (Sky Bet odds 28/1)
Tune in to Sky Sports this weekend as the Sky Bet English Football League kicks off, with Fulham v Newcastle on Friday 5 August with QPR v Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa on Sunday 7 August live on Sky Sports.
More...
Who will be the Sky Bet Championship golden boot winner for the 2016/17 season?
With the Sky Bet Championship season fast approaching, we take a look at the contenders to finish top scorer in the Championship.
It's set to be a fascinating*campaign*in English football's second tier with Newcastle, Aston Villa, Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday among the big-name clubs going head-to-head for promotion to the Premier League.*
But to get there*you need a top goalscorer, as Burnley's*Andre Gray proved with his*25-goal haul helping Burnley into the top flight in 2015/16.
So who are the contenders for this year's top scorer prize and what are their odds with English Football League sponsors Sky Bet?
[h=3]Ollie's Championship predictions[/h]Ian Holloway predicts the 2016/17 Sky Bet Championship table
[h=3]1. Dwight Gayle - Newcastle (Sky Bet odds 8/1)[/h]
Dwight Gayle arrived at Newcastle United last month from Crystal Palace
One of Newcastle's new faces is the favourite to bag the most goals this season.
Gayle made the move to Newcastle in July 2016, after*an injury-hit three seasons in south London with Crystal Palace. The striker often had an impact from the bench for Palace, though, most famously netting a brace to break*Liverpool hearts in the famous 3-3 draw in*2014/15. He ended his time with the Eagles with 25 goals in 75*appearances.*
Gayle netted 25 goals in 75 appearances for the Eagles during his three seasons at the club
Now under the guidance of Rafa Benitez, the striker has already scored twice in pre-season and is looking to hit the big 20-goal barrier in the Sky Bet*Championship.*
"Most strikers want to get in the 20-goal bracket and hopefully I can do that this season," Gayle told The Chronicle.*"We will see where we go from there."
[h=3]Fulham vs Newcastle[/h]
August 5, 2016, 7:00pm
Live on
[h=3]= 2. Ross McCormack - Fulham (Sky Bet odds 10/1)[/h]
Ross McCormack came in second behind Andre Gray for the Golden Boot last term
While rumours continue that McCormack could be moving elsewhere, he currently remains*a Fulham player and fans will certainly be wanting to keep him around.*
He ended in second place for the top scorer accolade behind Gray last term - scoring 21 times - with former strike*partner Moussa Dembele finishing with 15 goals to his name.*
[h=3]Fulham season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan's views, predictions and odds ahead of Fulham's 2016/17 campaign
Overall, Fulham had a rather underwhelming and turbulent season but captain McCormack was the shining light and is being tipped by Sky Bet to dazzle again this term.
[h=3]= 2. Rudy Gestede - Aston Villa (Sky Bet odds 10/1)[/h]
Rudy Gestede is already a proven goalscorer in the Championship after his spell with Blackburn
Gestede arrived from Championship side Blackburn last summer and the club will be hoping he can recreate his super scoring form for Rovers at Villa Park.
He's been there and done it in the tough second tier, netting 35 goals in 73*games during his 20-month spell at Ewood Park.*
[h=3]Aston Villa season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan opinion, predictions and odds ahead of Aston Villa's 2016/17 campaign
Gestede managed six in 25 appearances for Aston Villa in all competitions last term but the Sky Bet Championship will perhaps prove to be better territory for the striker, who won the league title with Cardiff in the 2011/12 season.*
[h=3]3. Aleksandar Mitrovic - Newcastle (Sky Bet odds 12/1)[/h]
Aleksandar Mitrovic celebrates his equalising header against Sunderland last season
With Newcastle the favourites to bounce straight back into the Premier League, the fiery Mitrovic is being backed for a shot at the Sky Bet Championship top-scorer prize*this season.*
The Serbia international netted nine times in 36 appearances for the Magpies last term, including an iconic header against Sunderland in the Tyne-Wear derby, where he was booked for an emphatic shirt-removing celebration.*
[h=3]Newcastle season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan's views, predictions and odds ahead of Newcastle United's's 2016/17 campaign
Although he is suspended for the first four games*after a red card in the final day win over Tottenham, there will still be plenty of time for the striker to hit his stride.*
[h=2]Who else is in the running?*[/h][h=4]Glenn Murray - Brighton (Sky Bet odds 16/1)[/h]
Glenn Murray has a great scoring record in the Championship, helping Crystal Palace to promotion in the 2012/13 season
Another player who has been there and done the job in the Championship is Murray. His 30 goals in 42 appearances for Crystal Palace in the 2012/13 season secured their promotion to the Premier League.
The striker has now gone on a season-long*loan to former club Brighton from Bournemouth, with the mission of helping the Seagulls go one better than their heart-breaking last-day defeat to miss out on a play-off spot.
Murray will be hoping to make his mark once again.
[h=3]Brighton season preview[/h]Transfer news, fan opinion, predictions and odds ahead of Brighton's 2016/17 campaign
[h=4]Cameron Jerome - Norwich (Sky Bet odds 16/1)[/h]
Cameron Jerome scored for Norwich in the 2015 Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough to see them promoted
Second time lucky for Jerome? He has already tasted Sky Bet Championship success with Norwich,*winning the play-off final in the 2014/15 season, where he scored the opening goal and picked up the man of the match award.*
However, he only managed three goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season as Norwich slipped back into the second tier and will be looking to replicate his play-off winning form again*this term.*
[h=3]VOTE: 2016/17 Championship table[/h]Who'll finish where in this season's Sky Bet Championship? Rank the teams ahead of the big kick-off
[h=4]Scott Hogan - Brentford (Sky Bet odds 16/1)[/h]Although he had an injury-hit 2015/16 season, Scott Hogan did score seven goals in the seven Sky Bet Championship games he appeared in and if he remains fit, could be a big player for the Bees this term.*
Scott Hogan netted seven goals in seven games during the 2015/16 campaign
[h=3]Other notable mentions[/h]Chris Martin - Derby (Sky Bet odds 20/1)
Fernando Forestieri - Sheffield Wednesday (Sky Bet odds 20/1)
Britt Assombalonga - Nottingham Forest (Sky Bet odds 20/1)
[h=3]Sheff Wed vs A Villa[/h]
August 7, 2016, 4:15pm
Live on
Jordan Ayew - Aston Villa (Sky Bet odds 25/1)
Will Grigg - Wigan (Sky Bet odds 28/1)
Tune in to Sky Sports this weekend as the Sky Bet English Football League kicks off, with Fulham v Newcastle on Friday 5 August with QPR v Leeds and Sheffield Wednesday v Aston Villa on Sunday 7 August live on Sky Sports.
More...