The new season is nearly upon us!

And while football fans up and down the country prepare themselves for the usual agony and ecstasy that is surely to come, every new campaign must begin with two things: excitement and predictions.

Both are particularly relevant to Cardiff City as they approach their first full season under Neil Warnock, which kicks off at Burton Albion on Saturday. Warnock has identified promotion as his key target, with many Bluebirds fans optimistic about their side's chances.

But will the reality bear out? We asked WalesOnline's football writers to predict what will happen in the 2017/18 Championship season and how Cardiff City will fare. This is what they said...

CHRIS WATHAN, CHIEF FOOTBALL WRITER

@ChrisWathan

Teams who will gain automatic promotion: Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.

With a season's more experience behind him, a Premier League set-up and impressive funds to bolster a relegated squad, it's tough to look past Garry Monk taking Boro back up at the first attempt, especially if he can reunite a fan base and dressing room as he managed at Leeds. I think they should take an automatic spot and Aston Villa with the other; Steve Bruce is a manager well-suited and versed in this division, a very sound defence and a squad that should be more settled this time around.

Who will be relegated: Burton Albion, Millwall and Bristol City.

Burton may enjoy proving us all wrong once more but a second mission improbable for the minnows may be too much to ask. Likewise, it remains to be seen whether Millwall can cope with the step up following promotion, and the loss of both Tammy Abraham and Lee Tomlin could be too big a blow for Bristol City to recover from.

Where Cardiff will finish: 7th.

You'd like to say top six, but the big spending of others and the Bluebirds perhaps still lacking a little in midfield could mean they miss out, though not by much.

Championship player to watch: Alex Pritchard (Norwich City) or Ruben Neves (Wolves).

Alex Pritchard looked a real player when at Brentford a few years back and didn't shine after an £8m move to Norwich hampered by injuries, so it will be interesting to see if he can recapture form under new boss Daniel Farke at Carrow Road. Aside from that, it's going to be fascinating to see how Ruben Neves does at Wolves as he arrives from Porto with a staggering £15.8m fee on his shoulders.

Cardiff player to watch: Callum Paterson.

It may take a bit of time before he's seen in a Bluebirds shirt, but there's real hope that Callum Paterson will be worth the wait. Versatile, pacey, hungry and with no little talent — he's got Warnock very excited about what he can do at this level.

Callum Paterson signs for Cardiff City (pic: Cardiff City FC)

DOMINIC BOOTH, FOOTBALL WRITER

@DomBooth19

Automatic promotion: Middlesbrough and Fulham.

I've always been a big fan of Garry Monk and, with financial backing, he's got a great chance of leading Boro straight back to the Premier League. Slaviša Jokanović is criminally underrated as a manager and appears to be building a hugely exciting team at Craven Cottage. Don't be surprised if the West London club storm the division with their buccaneering style of football this season.

Relegated: Burton Albion, Barnsley and Preston.

I feel Preston will suffer without Simon Grayson, while Burton and Barnsley both punched above their weight last season. The Tykes are particularly struggling to replace key players like Marley Watkins and Conor Hourihane; and though Nigel Clough has done an outstanding job with Burton, it might be a case of second season syndrome.

Nigel Clough, Manager of Burton Albion

Where Cardiff will finish: 6th/7th.

Sorry Bluebirds fans but I'm not prepared to call this one definitively. I can see Cardiff potentially finishing just short of a play-off place, simply because of the better quality elsewhere in the division. The bookies think Cardiff will be around 15th, but Warnock's expertise means a play-off push is on the cards. It's such a competitive division and it could be a single point or two that determines the Bluebirds' fate.

Championship player to watch: Tom Cairney (Fulham).

Was the classiest player on display at Cardiff City Stadium last year and, barring a Premier League move, should grace the division once again. Possesses the ball skills to boss any game and has the physical attributes too. Even if Fulham don't win promotion, he'll be a Premier League player soon enough.

Cardiff player to watch: Kenneth Zohore.

Who else? So dominant in half a season last term, and given a whole campaign under his mentor Neil Warnock he could wreak havoc in the division. And now he has the likes of Lee Tomlin and Danny Ward for support. Should score a minimum of 20 goals, maybe 25 or more.

IAN MITCHELMORE, FOOTBALL WRITER

@IanMitchelmore

Automatic promotion: Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.

Like Cardiff, I expect Aston Villa to improve given that they have made some notable additions over the summer transfer window and that Steve Bruce will get a full season at the helm. But I do feel that Middlesbrough are on to something with Garry Monk, and if big money signing Britt Assombalonga can deliver the goods, I think they'll be the team to beat.

New Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk is unveiled during a press conference.

Relegated: Bolton, Bristol City and Millwall.

I really fear for Bolton who have had some troubles off the field while I also expect Bristol City to struggle without the goals of Tammy Abraham. Preston will find the going tough without Simon Grayson but should be ok, so I'd have to pick Millwall to be the third team to go down.

Where Cardiff will finish: 6th.

I think they fall into the 6th to 10th bracket. But I'm going to be optimistic and say they'll sneak sixth place.

Championship player to watch: Diogo Jota (Wolves).

Wolves have been splashing the cash this summer under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo, and I can't help but feel the pick of the bunch is Diogo Jota who will spend the season on loan at Molineux from Atletico Madrid. He scored nine goals in all competitions for the Portuguese giants last season, and if he can adapt to England's second tier, he could really make a name for himself.

Cardiff player to watch: Lee Tomlin.

Has looked very lively in pre-season and the general consensus is that once he gets going, there's no stopping him. He could be the creative spark Cardiff so desperately need and, as well as hopefully adding goals to the team, he will also give support to Kenneth Zohore in his bid to build on last season's tally of 12 goals.

SCOTT JOHNSON, FAN COLUMNIST

@roathboy

Automatic promotion: Middlesbrough and Aston Villa.

Villa massively underachieved last season after spending a ruinous amount of money, but should be better this year after adding a few seasoned campaigners. Middlesbrough have retained a strong core, added one of the best young managers in the country and spent £42m. The cream usually rises to the top.

Relegated: Bolton, Burton and Millwall.

Burton managed a miracle escape last season with a rag-tag bunch of players from the knackers yard. You can't see them doing it again. Teams coming up from League One tend to find the going tough too. Bolton and Millwall don't seem to have much about them, but you never know.

Where Cardiff will finish: 8th.

A strong defence, plus the combination of Lee Tomlin and Kenneth Zohore make Cardiff serious play-off contenders. It's a big ask of two players though and strength in depth may still be an issue. There may not be a team the size of Newcastle to contend with, yet competition remains pretty fierce. But where there's a Warnock, there's a way.

Lee Tomlin of Cardiff City.

Championship player to watch: Helder Costa (Wolves).

Wolves signed their reigning Player of the Year for £13m in the summer, after he impressed on loan from Benfica. If Wolves have designs on promotion, and they invested heavily again this summer, they need Costa to run the show.

Cardiff player to watch: Lee Tomlin.

All eyes are on Lee Tomlin, who will be expected to replace Peter Whittingham and add greater creativity. A Premier League player on his day, Cardiff are depending on his fitness and consistency.