Albion will be promoted to the Premier League this season - according to Ian Holloway.
The former Blackpool, QPR and Crystal Palace boss turned Sky Sports Football League pundit has tipped Chris Hughton's Seagulls to finish runners-up in the Championship behind Newcastle.
Holloway said: "I think Brighton will use the disappointment of last season to their advantage and get automatic promotion.
"They have a solid defensive unit, but also can attack you from all angles. It's a great mix.
"The relationship between the manager (below)*and the board also is very stable while their recruitment policy is spot on.
"It's only a matter of time until they reach the Premier League. This could be their year."
Holloway expects hot favourites Newcastle to justify their short odds. He said: "They have the biggest budget, arguably the biggest fan base and the most experienced and illustrious manager ever to have graced the Championship in Rafa Benitez.
"It's hard to look past them for the title."
But he believes Aston Villa will struggle in 16th.
"They're lucky I've put them this high," Holloway said. "Last season Villa's players felt the weight of the shirt, but not the importance of it. They didn't respect the badge enough. I'm worried nothing will change.
"They could easily get relegated again. With the lack of investment and the lack of unity within the playing squad. They've got Roberto Di Matteo (above), who is a wonderful man, but it's a huge job to carry that expectation. It's going to take something special to turn it around."
Fans of Brentford, Huddersfield and Rotherham, where Albion's Jake Forster-Caskey (above) is on loan for the season, will not thank Holloway for predicting they will make the drop into League One.
Ian Holloway's Championship table
1. Newcastle
2. Albion
3. Norwich
4. Derby
5. Sheffield Wednesday
6. Leeds
7. Ipswich
8. Cardiff
9. Birmingham
10. Bristol City
11. QPR
12. Forest
13. Wolves
14. Preston
15. Reading
16. Villa
17. Fulham
18. Blackburn
19. Barnsley
20. Wigan
21. Burton
22. Brentford
23. Huddersfield
24. Rotherham
Original article
The former Blackpool, QPR and Crystal Palace boss turned Sky Sports Football League pundit has tipped Chris Hughton's Seagulls to finish runners-up in the Championship behind Newcastle.
Holloway said: "I think Brighton will use the disappointment of last season to their advantage and get automatic promotion.
"They have a solid defensive unit, but also can attack you from all angles. It's a great mix.
"The relationship between the manager (below)*and the board also is very stable while their recruitment policy is spot on.
"It's only a matter of time until they reach the Premier League. This could be their year."
Holloway expects hot favourites Newcastle to justify their short odds. He said: "They have the biggest budget, arguably the biggest fan base and the most experienced and illustrious manager ever to have graced the Championship in Rafa Benitez.
"It's hard to look past them for the title."
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But he believes Aston Villa will struggle in 16th.
"They're lucky I've put them this high," Holloway said. "Last season Villa's players felt the weight of the shirt, but not the importance of it. They didn't respect the badge enough. I'm worried nothing will change.
"They could easily get relegated again. With the lack of investment and the lack of unity within the playing squad. They've got Roberto Di Matteo (above), who is a wonderful man, but it's a huge job to carry that expectation. It's going to take something special to turn it around."
Ian Holloway's Championship table
1. Newcastle
2. Albion
3. Norwich
4. Derby
5. Sheffield Wednesday
6. Leeds
7. Ipswich
8. Cardiff
9. Birmingham
10. Bristol City
11. QPR
12. Forest
13. Wolves
14. Preston
15. Reading
16. Villa
17. Fulham
18. Blackburn
19. Barnsley
20. Wigan
21. Burton
22. Brentford
23. Huddersfield
24. Rotherham
Original article