---
title: "‘Stone cold’ West Ham tipped to win Championship title"
canonical: "https://readwestham.com/2026/08/14/stone-cold-west-ham-tipped-to-win-championship-title/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "James Chettle"
section: "West Ham News"
published: "2026-08-14T13:00:00Z"
modified: "2026-08-14T13:00:00Z"
---

# ‘Stone cold’ West Ham tipped to win Championship title

**West Ham United have been backed to win the Championship and secure an immediate return to the Premier League, with Adrian Clarke describing promotion for Nuno Espírito Santo’s side as a near certainty.**

The Hammers begin their league campaign away at Burnley on Sunday after dropping into the second tier for the first time in 14 years.

Despite significant changes to Nuno’s squad this summer, West Ham remain among the leading promotion favourites heading into the opening weekend.

> Nils Koppen has been integral to convincing players to come to West Ham this summer.\
> \
> Koppen has been pitching to new recruits the long-term project of the club wanting to qualify for Europe as soon as they're back in the Premier League.\
> \
> \[[@HammersDotNews](https://x.com/HammersDotNews?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)\] [#WHUFC](https://x.com/hashtag/WHUFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [#COYI](https://x.com/hashtag/COYI?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw) [pic.twitter.com/ovGI1VMvba](https://t.co/ovGI1VMvba)
>
> — West Ham News & Views (@WestHamViews\_) [August 14, 2026](https://x.com/WestHamViews_/status/2088207907116515786?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw)

## West Ham Championship prediction backs Nuno for title

Former Arsenal midfielder and EFL analyst Clarke has gone further than simply predicting promotion.

Speaking in [talkSPORT’s 2026/27 Championship preview](https://talksport.com/football/4509715/championship-predictions-title-promotion-relegation-play-offs/), Clarke described West Ham going up as a **“stone cold” prediction** and said he could not see the club failing to deliver promotion.

He believes Nuno has the players and managerial pedigree required to take West Ham straight back into the Premier League, while the club’s sizeable support should also work in their favour.

Clarke ultimately tipped the Hammers to **win the Championship title**, with Middlesbrough among the sides he expects to challenge them near the top of the division.

His confidence provides an interesting contrast to Jeff Stelling’s assessment of West Ham earlier this week.

[ReadWestHam reported on Thursday that Stelling believes West Ham still need greater attacking depth](https://readwestham.com/2026/08/13/west-ham-told-to-sign-18m-troy-parrott-and-jamie-vardy-for-promotion/), with Troy Parrott and Jamie Vardy among the forwards linked with moves to east London.

Stelling currently rates Middlesbrough and Wolves strongly in the promotion race, highlighting the debate around how complete Nuno’s squad really is.

Clarke’s verdict reflects the quality West Ham have retained despite relegation.

Jarrod Bowen remains at the club, while Nuno already knows what is required to win this division after leading Wolves to the Championship title in 2017/18.

Predictions will count for little once the season begins, but expectations around West Ham are clear.

Sunday’s trip to Burnley offers the first opportunity for Nuno’s side to justify them.