Who Will Win The English Football Championship? - September Update

Sep 27th, 2012 - Posted by Kevincrout in Football

Football betting and following Charlton for my sins

Over a month into the Championship season and Brighton find themselves top of the table. With another 39 matches still to play, today on the blog Kevin Crout takes a look at the markets for the title, promotion and relegation.

EwoodPark

The Contenders

7 games into the new season and Brighton are quickest out of the traps having won 5 games in a row. They started off with a defeat at Hull and a draw with Cardiff failing to score in both games. Their odds were pushed out to 20/1 from a opening price of 16/1 to win the league but are now best priced 9/1 to win the division and 9/4 to get promoted.

Some of their attacking play has been a pleasure to watch. They have managed 14 goals in the last 5 games. Still early days in the season but Brighton look like they are well prepared to be challenging come May.

Blackburn are their closest pursuers just 2 points behind having gone the first 6 games unbeaten until losing at home to Middlesbrough in game 7. Blackburn have done well to hit the ground running and Steve Kean will have felt some weight lifted off his shoulders with fans concentrating on the on field performances.

The injury to Leon Best in pre-season was a big blow but the signing of Jordan Rhodes has had an immediate impact. Blackburn are currently best price 13/2 to lift the title and 7/4 for promotion.

Other new boys Wolves are currently 10/1 from a pre-season 9/1, although they did drift to 14s after only one win in their first 4 games but currently they are on a 3 game winning streak. Bolton haven't faired quite so well in their quest for a quick return to the Premiership. They are 10/1 to win the league and 3/1 for promotion having won 3 and lost 3 of their opening 7 games.

Blackpool having played a game less could go level at the top with victory in their game in hand. After winning their opening 3 games their odds were cut from 18/1 to a current best price of 7/1. They have scored 15 goals in those 6 games although 10 came in 2 games. Do they have the depth in the squad to push until the end of the season? They can be backed at 11/4 to get promoted.

Hull City under new manager Steve Bruce have made a solid start winning 4 from 6 and are now 14/1 in from 25/1 and 7/2 to get promoted. Cardiff as expected have made a good start winning 4 from 7 and are 8/1 from 12/1 or the safer option may be the promoted option at 12/5.

Pre-season favourites Leicester have not performed has their backers would have liked having a won 3 and lost 3 record with a game in hand, performances have been mixed and Nigel Pearson will feel pressure if points are not put on the board soon, Leicester are 10/1 from 8/1 to win the league and 7/2 from 9/4 to get promoted.

Looking To Climb

At the other end of the table two of the relegation favourites Barnsley and Bristol city have both won 3 from 7 and currently sit mid table, Barnsley’s last victory was a 5-0 away win over much fancied Birmingham City who currently lay in the bottom half having won 2 from 7. New manager Lee Clark not proving a popular choice so far at St Andrews, Birmingham are 28/1 to win the league which would take a major performance improvement as would the 10/1 for them to achieve promotion.

They can also be backed at 11/1 to be relegated, it would take a major implosion for them to be relegated as they have some talented players in the squad. Barnsley were 13/8 favourites to be relegated as they have been for the past few seasons and have managed to defy those odds each time are now 6/4 after decent wins over Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Bristol City. City were 10/3 third favourites but again have had a solid start, scoring goals was an issue last season but 15 goals in 7 games has eased those fears.

Avoiding Relegation

Peterborough are making a strong claim to one of the relegation spots after only 7 games having lost all 7 only managing 5 goals for and 16 against. They are now 1/3 for the drop.

Millwall are 12/5 from 10/3 after recording only 2 wins from 7 and Ipswich find themselves second bottom with just 1 win from 7 that on the road at Watford, Paul Jewell coming under fan pressure to turn their fortunes around. Ipswich are 4/1 for the drop.

New boys Sheffield Wednesday and Charlton Athletic have had a difficult period after an encouraging start. Wednesday have lost 4 on the bounce and can be backed at 9/2 for the drop whilst Charlton halted a losing 3 game run with an away win at Ipswich and are 9/2 to make a quick return to league one.

Huddersfield despite the loss of Jordan Rhodes started ok and are unbeaten in their last 5 having only faced defeat in the opening league game. They currently have a game in hand and are 9/1 to fall through the trap door.

With only 7 games gone nobody bar Peterborough will be panicing just yet. This season will have plenty of twists and turns yet.

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And check out his blog at Football-Talk