NEIL Warnock is predicting the Championship will be even more competitive and open than ever before this year.

The Eagles boss will be jockeying for position with 23 fellow managers when the season gets under way on Saturday to reach the riches of the Premiership.

However, only three will ultimately make the step up and with some big names involved in this year’s battle, Warnock is only too aware of how fierce the competition will be.

He explained: “When you look at the table, you have the teams coming down like West Brom who are a very strong club who haven’t got to sell anybody and are looking to improve all the time.

“Middlesborough I am not sure about until we see them go.

“They have a number of young lads coming through with Gareth under a little bit of pressure to get straight back up.

“Newcastle are a toss of a coin really, I don’t think anybody knows.

“I don’t think they know. They could be ten points clear in October or they could be bottom of the table, no one knows where they are.”

Warnock added: “Then there are the teams who came up.

“Peterborough and Leicester are both big sides, financially good clubs as well, they have got a good chance and I think they will be disappointed if they are not in the top half if not play offs.

“Then there is our league with Ipswich who will always spend money, QPR still with money and Cardiff throwing it around. Then there is my old club Sheffield United paying £3m for a striker, so there is a nucleus of teams there.

“Even one or two of the lesser teams will fancy a chance, so you are talking about the top nine or 10 there already.”

Despite this, Warnock is confident his Palace side can compete against the bigger spending clubs.

He said: “It will be difficult for us all but what a great challenge.

“We will have a small squad with a first 18 supplemented with five or six young lads, so that is what I am looking at this season.

“The playing squad know we can be competitive in this league.

“I think that is all we know to be honest, we know we have to stick together as a group whatever is thrown at us and I am sure throughout the season we might have to regroup and have one or two chats.

“However, I have a very good dressing room with a great mixture of experience and some of the best kids in the country and it is an exciting time.

“Anything is possible in the league, I just want to rattle a few cages to be honest with you.”