The Championship is one of the most demanding and competitive leagues in the world. Every team in the division wants promotion to the promised land and huge riches of the Premier League but in order to do so they must get through 46 matches, often playing twice a week.
It is a true marathon and the bookies are not finding it easy to price up the outright market. Derby and Middlesbrough, both of whom looked very strong at times last season, share favourite status. They are joined at the top of the market by the three relegated teams Hull, Burnley and QPR. The likes of Brentford, Wolves and Ipswich are also deemed plausible outsiders for the title.
As much as ability, success in the Championship comes down to attitude. You can have the best squad in the division but if they’re not pulling together, forget about promotion.
Championship Title Contenders
- Middlesbrough – The biggest odds you can get on Middlesbrough winning the league are the 7/1 that BetVictor are offering. A few months into the season and that may look a steal. Having already spent £5.5million on local hero Stewart Downing, the popular chairman Steve Gibson is looking to spend even more money. Aitor Karanka’s men didn’t turn up at the playoff final against Norwich so he is determined to avoid that particular lottery this time around.
- Derby – Derby may have lost Steve McClaren to Newcastle but they quickly appointed Paul Clement, the highly rated coach who was assistant manager to Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid. Clement has wasted no time, he’s already brought in six new players including attacking talent such as Tom Ince, Darren Bent and Andreas Wiemann. Having tailed off dramatically last season, Derby know they must keep pushing all year to have any chance of gaining automatic promotion.
- Hull – Steve Bruce signed a new contract at the KC Stadium in the middle of last season so he is the man entrusted with leading Hull back up to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The Tigers have managed to keep hold of the vast majority of a squad which is full of top flight experience but they’ll have to get over the pain of relegation quickly so as to not fall behind early doors.
- Sheffield Wednesday – Not one of the bookies’ favourites for success this season, Sheffield Wednesday have been busy building an exciting looking squad. With new manager Carlos Carvalhal in charge, a host of players have come through the door at Hillsborough making them look great each-way value at 22/1 with Coral. Much will depend on whether the new manager can get his squad to gel into a cohesive unit but if they do don’t expect that 22/1 to be hanging about for too long.
It is difficult predicting the winner of the Championship at Christmas let alone before a ball has been kicked but Middlesbrough have to be the team to stop. They came agonisingly close last season and go into the new term with an improved side. If they can build the team around Stewart Downing – who should really shine in this division at a club he loves – and cope with the loss of Patrick Bamford, Karanka could repay the faith shown in him. Back them to win the league at 7/1 with BetVictor.