Many Middlesbrough fans have been impressed by their side's bright start to the Sky Bet Championship campaign. 

And rightly so.

Aitor Karanka's side sit second in the table, just two points off of top spot, after six wins from their opening ten matches.

Many fans are now asking whether Karanka's men can bounce back from last year's painful Play-off Final defeat to Norwich City with promotion to the Premier League.

Here is a look at their likely-to-be biggest challengers this season:

Brighton and Hove Albion

Questions remain as to whether Chris Hughton's side can keep up their early form throughout the season. They sit top with 22 points, and are the only unbeaten side left in the second tier.

If Tomer Hemed keeps finding the net, and Lomana LuaLua keeps up his great early work, Brighton could sustain this wonderful start and be serious promotion contenders this season.

Reading

Steve Clarke has assembled one of the Championship's strongest squads over the summer following a disappointing league campaign in 2014/15.

The Royals have beaten both Burnley and Karanka's Boro in recent weeks and, in Nick Blackman, they've got one of the most in-form strikers in the division.

If performances are sustained, then there is no reason as to why the Royals couldn't clinch their third promotion to the Premier League.

Hull City 

This season's title favourites, Tigers boss Steve Bruce has retained the majority of the side that went down last season.

The Tigers are keeping pace with the pack when it comes to the race for promotion, having picked up five wins from their opening ten matches.

Their defensive record is excellent - their seven goals against is the joint-lowest in the division - and if Bruce can keep them solid and well-organised, they've every chance of bouncing straight back to the Premier League.

Burnley

After last season's almost inevitable relegation, Burnley are looking like one of the most solid sides in the division under Sean Dyche.

Winning against the larger teams could prove troublesome, as demonstrated by their uninspiring 2-1 defeat to Reading, but the side is showing real competence in front of goal.

Derby County

At the start of the season, many fans had Derby down as their favourites for promotion, especially given the £20 million investment in the squad over the summer.

After a shaky start, in which it took new boss Paul Clement six games to get his first win in charge, the Rams are starting to show that form, with Chris Martin looking lively and Tom Ince's outstanding contributions - a combination that is causing many Championship defences real problems.

Championship fans... what do you think about your club's chances this year? Can Middlesbrough secure promotion? Or are there three betters side than Boro? Is there anyone we've missed out? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!