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'I expect' - Former Sheffield Wednesday boss Darren Moore issues Middlesbrough FC prediction Darren Mooreand Kevin Nolan have assessed Middlesbrough’s prospects ahead of the 2026/27 Championship season Former Sheffield Wednesday manager Darren Moore expects Middlesbrough to be among the promotion contenders in the Championship next season. The beginning of the 2026/27 campaign is less than a week away and Middlesbrough are turning plenty of heads with their summer transfer business. After making a series of high-profile signings, Middlesbrough returned to competitive football at the weekend with a 1-0 win over Wrexham in the Carabao Cup. Moore, who has also led Huddersfield Town and Doncaster Rovers, has been full of praise for Boro and their highly-rated head coach Kim Hellberg. .jpeg?trim=4,0,262,0&width=640&quality=65>) Darren Moore’s Middlesbrough prediction The 52-year-old told Sky Sports News: “Looking at the signings they’ve made this season, they look to be stronger. It can only bode well for the football club. “Having the experience of getting in the play-offs last season, Kim certainly hit the Championship running, with a real flavour and a real energy to the team and the football club. “They played some wonderful football. Again, they’re another club, ou can’t take your eye off them this season. I expect them up and around the top six.” Kevin Nolan’s Middlesbrough verdict Assessing the upcoming Championship campaign alongside Moore was Kevin Nolan, who is familiar with one of Middlesbrough’s marquee signings. The former West Ham United star had a spell as the interim assistant head coach in the England Under-20s set-up, during which he saw Will Lankshear’s ability up close. T21-year-old forward Lankshear joined Middlesbrough from Tottenham Hotspur earlier this month in a deal that could reportedly be worth up to £20m. Nolan said: “They’ve certainly shown that from above, that they’re going to back Kim and they’re going to give him all the armoury to go at it. I think that’s what they’ll be going for, especially with the heartbreak of the play-offs and what happened last season. “I’ve worked with Will Lankshear - he’s a fantastic forward, got off to a great start at the weekend. When you pay that money and you spend big money on strikers, you want that to happen. I’m really looking forward to seeing his side this year, with a lot of new faces who can surely light up this EFL Championship.”