The Championship will begin in just over a months time and clubs are just beginning their pre-seasons.

England's second tier is renowned for being one of the most entertaining divisions on the planet, and will undoubtedly deliver once again with thrills and spills galore.

The Championship has also been boosted by the arrival of two particularly reputable sides in Newcastle United and Aston Villa, who's relegation from the Premier will induct players of star quality into the league, kicking the quality of football up a notch.

Despite the heavy transfer funds that seeping through thanks to the big bucks of the Premier League, teams are still being run on the cheap and often get their transfer windows spot on, and surprise the league with an excellent season.

Brighton were, perhaps, the most notable high-fliers of 2015/16, but who will shine next year? FLW writer Charlie Firth looks at THREE teams who could surprise everyone in 2016/17:

Bristol City

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Lee Johnson is slowly becoming a little gem of a manager, and could be a real prospect in the management game in the future. After turning the ship around at Barnsley last year, he did exactly the same with Bristol City.

They finished in eighteenth after storming League One under Steve Cotterill the year before, and already have a nice little Championship squad, but are slowly building on that this summer.

I really fancy Bristol City for an impressive season next year, especially if they can keep key names like Jonathan Kodjia, and if they take their momentum from last season into the next I'd tip them for a play off raid.

Nottingham Forest

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It's been a rollercoaster ride through hell for Nottingham Forest since being put under a transfer embargo for breaching FFP rules in late 2014, which completely destroyed any hope of promotion to the top flight.

However, with the ban lifted and a new manager in place in Philippe Montanier, the Tricky Trees will fancy themselves for a strong season next year, hoping for a good summer in the transfer window.

It sounds like Forest are being linked with the right names, and if they continue to pursue players of this calibre, they could build a very strong squad to push upwards.

Barnsley

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If you'd told a Barnsley fan at Christmas that they'd be watching Championship football next year, they'd have probably smacked you in the face. However, a distant dream has become an unlikely reality.

Barnsley were relegated from the Championship in 2014, and looked to be on their way to League Two last year.

Numerous signings were made and Barnsley's form took a fabulous turn, as they struck upwards, losing just three games in 2016 and winning the play offs under Paul Heckingbottom, which followed a Johnstone's Paint Trophy win.

Many will tip the Tykes for relegation next year, but there's something to say about continuing the feel good factor, which could see them storm up the Championship table.

Championship fans... What do you make of this news? Will these teams surprise? Who else are you backing for a good year? Let us know in the comments below,