football | Friday, July 29, 2022 9:16 AM (Revised at: Monday, August 1, 2022 12:55 AM)

Championship Best Bets July 30th: 3 Value Bets From Opening Day

Sam Ingram

Championship Best Bets: Saturday July 30th

It’s back. The Championship returns for another mouth-watering instalment. Tongues will be wagging in Huddersfield as the Terriers and Burnley open proceedings on Friday night. Not long after, as 15:00 on a Saturday rears its head as the most-anticipated calendar entry of the week, turnstiles will grind to a halt as thousands pitch up and take their seats brimming with anticipation and excitement in equal measure. Here at bettingexpert, we’ll have you covered all season, including the three angles below.

In this article:

Rotherham vs Swansea Preview & Best Bet
Luton vs Birmingham Preview & Best Bet
Blackburn vs QPR Preview & Best Bet

Rotherham vs Swansea Preview

England, Championship, Saturday, July 29th, 15:00 (UK)

In Rotherham’s most recent five Championship seasons, three have ended with a drop down to League One. The other two campaigns ensured the Millers valiantly hung onto survival.* (21st*/21st*/24th/22nd/23rd).

Michael Smith and Michael Ihiekwe’s departures for League One rivals Sheffield Wednesday would have given Paul Warne a headache. The former Rotherham pairing was instrumental at the New York Stadium last season.

The incomings of Tom Eaves and Conor Washington don’t bring much confidence with them. The two frontmen have scored just 23 Championship goals between them throughout their careers. All in all, it’s a recipe for another struggle at the foot of the Championship.

In Swansea, we have a side very much on the up. Joel Piroe, many people’s favourite to clinch the golden boot, and Michael Obafemi will lead the forward line in a season carrying hopeful expectations in South Wales.

Rotherham vs Swansea Best Bet

In the latter part of 2021/22, where the Swans managed to carve out a nine-match unbeaten run before two losses to cap off the season – Russel Martin’s men proved adept at travelling away from home and nicking a result. In the final 15 matches, Swansea oversaw a 0-2 win at the Hawthorns, a 0-4 demolition job against rivals Cardiff, and a 0-1 victory against a stingy Millwall side.

Given the vein of form Swansea found themselves in at the end of last season and the likely buoyancy in camp after a season of transition, the 0.0 price to get the visitors on the bet slip is one I can’t turn down.

Selection: Swansea +0 Asian Handicap (TRACKED TIP)
Best Odds: 1.90 (bet365)
Stakes: 10/10

More Rotherham vs Swansea Tips

Luton vs Birmingham Preview

England, Championship, Saturday, July 29th, 15:00 (UK)

The Hatters averaged 0.91 first-half goals throughout the Championship last season whilst playing at home. Kenilworth Road was often treated to an early strike, with only a free-scoring Fulham (1.35) offering those at Craven Cottage more goals on average.

In what was a dire 46-games in the second tier for Birmingham City, a Lee Bowyer-led Brum outfit conceded 0.87 first-half goals on their travels. Yet, similarly to Luton’s impressive stat, Birmingham was pipped by one other team – Bristol City’s average of 1.00 first-half goal in 23 fixtures will be something conjuring nightmares for Nigel Pearson and his backroom staff.

Lee Bowyer has since been relieved of his duties. That decision remarkably came 56 days after Birmingham’s final game of the season. Nevertheless, in John Eustace, a gaffer with a fresh pair of eyes and a focus on flipping the culture at Birmingham City on its head, the Blues should head in the right direction. That is, of course, if the off-field dealings don’t impose themselves on Eustace and the dressing room.

It will likely be a challenging season for Birmingham despite new faces in the dugout. Eustace is a highly regarded coach, but the club has been in turmoil for some time. This won’t be a quick fix, though the club’s appointment suggests there’s still an ounce of sense coursing through the board room. For now, at least.

Luton vs Birmingham Best Bet

In the hope Luton starts strongly and swiftly against a Birmingham squad still getting to grips with Eustace’s plans, the 2.10 on bet365 appears an attractive proposition. The Asian handicap will return half stakes in the event of a draw, offering a level of security.

Selection: Luton -0.25 First Half Asian Handicap
Best Odds: 2.05 (bookmaker)
Stakes: 5/10

More Luton vs Birmingham Tips

Blackburn vs QPR Preview

England, Championship, Saturday, July 29th, 15:00 (UK)

QPR’s price for three points appears the oddest of the bunch across the first game of the Championship season. The 3.75 on bet365 makes Michael Beal’s Rangers side one of the least fancied teams to get a result, second to only a travelling Reading at 4.00 in Blackpool.

Now, with Blackburn’s summer transfer activity, or lack thereof, there are plenty of question marks surrounding Jon Dahl Tomasson’s start to life at Ewood Park. Of course, those doubts can be levied at Beal in the away dressing room, too, but at least he was able to make a sizeable imprint on his squad as he saw fit.

Tyler Roberts, Jake Clarke-Salter, Kenneth Paal, and Taylor Richards dock in London as reinforcements to a QPR squad already decked out with quality. If Beal can live up to his reputation in the game and harness that whilst in a head coach’s position, his QPR side could have an outstanding season.

Blackburn vs QPR Best Bet

Since the prop markets were released, I toyed with the QPR handicaps and this next pick. However, after a fashion, settling on the Ilias Chair-inspired punt given the stats served up by the Moroccan alleviates any concerns of Blackburn flying out of the blocks.

Not only did Chair hit two and three shots vs Blackburn home and away last term, but he also produced 2.3 shots per90 on average across 39 Championship matches. It’s a lofty total helped by the promise of Chair’s want to get amongst those huddling around a set piece on the edge of the area. At 1.80, it’s one of the more generous shot prices on bet365 this weekend.