English Championship 2017/18 Betting Preview
Title Contenders
As ever there are plenty of discrepancy when it comes to the pricing of this market but the two who just edge favouritism with the majority of firms are Middlesbrough and Aston Villa – and it’s really no surprise. Both have the biggest budgets in this league and will be able to call on reinforcements between now and the end of this window, but also when January comes round as well which could be pivotal. Boro will have to hope that all their signings at the top end of the park can make the difference as they need to be more dynamic in attack. Garry Monk still has a bit to prove as well, in my opinion, particularly at the business end of the season.
Villa have as close to a Premier League squad as you can get this term in my view but that does not always equate to success. Their efforts will certainly be helped by the fact that Steve Bruce is as good as any when it comes to success at this level and will have worked over the summer to ensure that the mindset and attitude is right. John Terry will almost certainly help with that and despite what some think of him, he is an excellent addition for a team who have virtually all of the ingredients for success and just have to find a way to put it all together.
Fulham and Wolves have also been popular in this market and it’s not difficult to see why people have come for them. Fulham were the best footballing side in the league and with another year’s experience for their young players it is hard to envisage them being far off contention for the top four or five at least. I’m still not convinced that they have that steel which is often required in the Championship but they will have more quality than most and will be a threat to all. I’m less sold on Wolves despite understanding why they are as short in the market. The money the club have spend has made plenty sit up and take notice but Nuno Espirito Santo has found life difficult at both Valencia and Porto in recent seasons and although this is a different level, he’s brand new to English football and I would be reluctant to put my faith in them at whar I perceive as being skinny odds.
I’m afraid I’m going to be rather boring at this stage and put up Aston Villa as my most likely winners of this year’s Championship. I’m a big fan of Bruce and they have a really strong spine to their team which is physical and I can see them overpowering the majority of teams this term. Goals should not be a problem either with Scott Hogan and Jonathan Kodkia proven in the league. I would suggest a saver on them to be promoted as well should they just miss out on winning the title
Up for Promotion
There are so many teams you can make a case for here and if I backed six I still probably could get it horribly wrong. Huddersfield obliged for us last year but having put Bolton up the previous season then it illustrates just how difficult it can be. Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday look rock solid to be in the top six going by last season and the fact they have both strengthened over the summer. Both have very different approaches to the game but they are equally effective and would not put anyone off backing either at around the 3/1 mark for both. As I have played it conservatively in the outright market I’ll be more ambitious with my selection here and put up Brentford as live contenders. They may not have the stars of other clubs above them in the market but they have a philosophy that works for them and it’s been built over a number of years. We know there’s goals in the team and Griffin Park is not an easy venue for visiting teams to get points from. Their performances over the last three seasons has been consistent with three top 10 finishes and they can push on to the top six and ruffle a few feathers of the bigger teams.
Relegation Threatened
If you’re a fan of the team I tip to be relegated then fear not, I put Fulham up for this last season and they came within two games of winning promotion – so it may be a blessing in disguise for you. I’m really surprised to see Barnsley towards the favourites for this, I think they’ll be safe under the impressive Paul Heckingbottom but Bolton and Burton are probably where they should be in the market. My own feelings for this is QPR have stood still whilst many of those around them have strengthened. The R’s had a poor end to the season which meant they were just two points clear of the bottom three having lost seven of their last eight league games. Ian Holloway was able to get an immediate response when he took over and if that had continued then you may think it was a sign of things to come, but I’m not sold on the manager or the squad whatsoever. There is a shortage of quality and I think a distinct lack of goals in the forward areas. Another team to consider in this market is Nottingham Forest who although got off to a winning start on Friday may struggle once again with the potential for off the field drama also likely considering the owners.
Selections
Aston Villa to win the Championship 7/1 @ Ladbrokes
Aston Villa to be promoted 9/4 @ William Hill
Brentford to be promoted 7/1 @ Betfred
QPR to be relegated 4/1 @ Coral
