Albion will be promoted to the Premier League this season - according to Ian Holloway.

The former Blackpool, QPR and Crystal Palace boss turned Sky Sports Football League pundit has tipped Chris Hughton's Seagulls to finish runners-up in the Championship behind Newcastle.

Holloway said: "I think Brighton will use the disappointment of last season to their advantage and get automatic promotion.

"They have a solid defensive unit, but also can attack you from all angles. It's a great mix.

"The relationship between the manager (below) and the board also is very stable while their recruitment policy is spot on.The Argus:

"It's only a matter of time until they reach the Premier League. This could be their year."

Holloway expects hot favourites Newcastle to justify their short odds. He said: "They have the biggest budget, arguably the biggest fan base and the most experienced and illustrious manager ever to have graced the Championship in Rafa Benitez.

"It's hard to look past them for the title."

Holloway reckons Hughton's old club Norwich will bounce back from relegation into the play-offs with Albion's opening opponents Derby County, the Seagulls play-off conquerors last season Sheffield Wednesday and Leeds, now managed by Garry Monk.

But he believes Aston Villa will struggle in 16th.

"They're lucky I've put them this high," Holloway said. "Last season Villa's players felt the weight of the shirt, but not the importance of it. They didn't respect the badge enough. I'm worried nothing will change.

"They could easily get relegated again. With the lack of investment and the lack of unity within the playing squad. They've got Roberto Di Matteo (above), who is a wonderful man, but it's a huge job to carry that expectation. It's going to take something special to turn it around."

The Argus: Fans of Brentford, Huddersfield and Rotherham, where Albion's Jake Forster-Caskey (above) is on loan for the season, will not thank Holloway for predicting they will make the drop into League One.

Ian Holloway's Championship table

1. Newcastle

2. Albion

3. Norwich

4. Derby

5. Sheffield Wednesday

6. Leeds

7. Ipswich

8. Cardiff

9. Birmingham

10. Bristol City

11. QPR

12. Forest

13. Wolves

14. Preston

15. Reading

16. Villa

17. Fulham

18. Blackburn

19. Barnsley

20. Wigan

21. Burton

22. Brentford

23. Huddersfield

24. Rotherham