Stan Collymore has tipped Sabri Lamouchi's side to contest for promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs next season.
The former Nottingham Forest forward was making his predictions in his Sunday People column, and listed the Reds as one of the sides he believes could win promotion in a Wembley final in May.
But how swimmingly life under Lamouchi will play out at the City Ground still remains a topic of hot debate amongst pundits and fans alike.
Collymore, who also turned out Liverpool, Aston Villa and Leicester City, has picked Leeds United and Fulham to occupy the top two spots in the division, with Marcelo Bielsa's side the overwhelming bookies favourite to clinch the top prize in May.
"Fulham and Leeds are my tips for gaining automatic promotion to Prem from the Championship this season," he said.
"I pick Fulham because of their squad and Leeds because Marcelo Bielsa will make sure they bounce back from the disappointment they faced the end of the last campaign.
"Then, I reckon it will be one of Cardiff, Huddersfield, Forest, Stoke or Middlesbrough via the play-offs."
