The Championship gets the season back underway this Friday. With no football played, fans all over the country will be optimistic about their team’s chances over the next nine months or so. For many of those fans, that optimism will be dashed straight away and to help capitalise on the ups and downs of the first weekend of the season we’ve put together three trebles for you below.
Easy Winner – 10/9 (BetVictor)
- Over 1.5 goals in Nottingham Forest v Millwall (3/10) – Millwall will look at their first fixture back in the Championship and think they’ve got a chance of picking up three points. Nottingham Forest will also believe they can get off to a fast start which should make this an entertaining game under the lights.
- Aston Villa/draw double chance against Hull (1/4) – Hull have a big job on their hands to regroup under a new manager and make an assault on the top two. They may well come good but it’s Aston Villa who look the more prepared side.
- Leeds to score against Bolton (3/10) – Bolton may be full of confidence following their promotion from League 1 last season but Leeds will be looking to knock that right out of them. The game could go any way but Leeds will surely find the net at the Reebok Stadium.
Medium Risk – 21/2 (Sky Bet)
- Bristol City to beat Barnsley (17/20) – Bristol City never really got going last season but they’ve got enough about them to be outsiders for a playoff spot this season. The Robins should be able to get off to a fast start against Barnsley on Saturday.
- Over 2.5 goals in Wolves v Middlesbrough (6/5) – Middlesbrough come into the new Championship season with the express aim of winning promotion straight back into the Premier League. Wolves want to show them just how tough that will be which should provide a game with chances at both ends.
- Reading to beat QPR (13/8) – Reading pushed Newcastle and Brighton for most of last season but ended up running out of steam. Jaap Staam’s men will be doing all they can to ensure they don’t have to rely on the playoffs again and can get off to a flying start by beating QPR at Loftus Road.
Long Shot – 209/1 (Bet365)
- Arsenal to beat Chelsea 2-1 (11/1) – Arsenal’s quality record at Wembley Stadium continued in the FA Cup when they beat Chelsea 2-1 back in May. The prize may not be as big on Sunday but the Gunners can repeat that score line against the Blues in the Community Shield.
- Derby to beat Sunderland to nil (4/1) – Simon Grayson has been working hard at Sunderland but the team and club still have a whole heap of problems. They could well be exposed by Derby on Friday night who can escape the Stadium of Light unscathed and with all three points.
- Brentford to beat Sheffield United (5/2) – Brentford have come close to getting out of the Championship in recent seasons. A fast start this time around with victory against Sheffield United could give them belief that they can compete at the very top level.