Championship Winner Odds: Ipswich Town rightful favourites

The Championship season is now less than a week away and excitement is rapidly building ahead of the new campaign. 

With Ipswich Town, Southampton and Leicester City coming down from the Premier League and Birmingham City, Wrexham and Charlton Athletic coming up from League 1, it looks like a tougher season than ever. Below you can find the latest Championship Winner Odds from Betfred. 

Ipswich Town @ 3/1

Ipswich are rightfully the favourites for promotion before a ball is kicked. This squad that they have built is probably better than the one that went up two years ago, and although they’ve lost Liam Delap, they retain George Hirst, Sammie Szmodics, Jack Clarke and even Omari Hutchinson at the time of writing. 

The attempted signing of Hayden Hackney showed their intent and proves they have money to spend, while Kieran McKenna is one of the best managers at this level. Ipswich should be in for a simply smashing season, and even though they are the favourites - they are my selection to win the second tier this season. 

Championship Winner Odds

Southampton @ 11/2

Will Still, after a successful spell over in France, has finally got his first managerial job in England as he takes charge of Southampton. Despite only coming down with a paltry 12 points, Southampton should be able to challenge for the title based on their immense quality for the level. 

Up top, Cameron Archer and Adam Armstrong are going to score goals while Mateus Fernandes and Tyler Dibling remain at the club at the time of writing. The impressive Ronnie Edwards and Shea Charles have returned from successful Championship loans last term and should play a key role while Flynn Downes is classy midfielder for the level. If Still gets things right early on, they could fly. 

Sheffield United @ 7/1

After a heartbreaking play-off final defeat to Sunderland in May, Sheffield United made a big decision to swap legendary manager Chris Wilder for Ruben Selles. Selles saved Hull City from relegation last term in his short stint there, and the Blades are hoping he is the man to get them back to the top flight. 

They won an amazing 92 points on the pitch and only missed out on the autos because both Burnley and Leeds registered 100-point seasons. With Harrison Burrows, Tyrese Campbell, Callum O’Hare, Sydie Peck and Oli Arblaster - they could go far - while Gustavo Hamer, Player of the Season in the second tier last term, might just stay at Bramall Lane this summer. They’ve got an outside chance, but it’s another big ask for a new gaffer. 

Birmingham City @ 7/1

111 points in League 1 last season, and with American investment to boot - Birmingham are the fancy of many punters this season. It’s not normal for the League 1 champions to be the fourth-favourites for promotion, but then again, no team has invested so heavily in the third tier. 

They spent £15m on Jay Stansfield following relegation, while this summer they’ve added Kyogo Furuhashi in a deal rising up to £10m. With Chris Davies at the helm, Demarai Gray and Bright Oyasi-Samuel have also joined on free transfers, and it feels like momentum will be carried into this campaign. With a month to go in the transfer window they could go even bigger - but I still think it’s too big a jump to win the league.

Leicester City @ 11/1

Leicester City definitely offer the most value looking at this market. They come down, like Ipswich and Southampton, with Premier League quality in their squad and let’s not forget - they won the Championship the last time they were at this level under Enzo Maresca. 

The lingering doubt remains the possible points deduction, which could be around 10 points, but at the time of writing, they are set to start on zero. With Harry Winks, Stephy Mavididi, Kasey McAteer and James Justin, they have all the quality to challenge at the top of the league. Marti Cifuentes is a good manager at this level and if he gets things right early on, they could make a mockery of any points deduction that may come their way. 

Football Odds

Coventry City @ 11/1

Having lost in the play-offs in two of the last three seasons, Coventry have been regarded as the best Championship team to have a push at promotion, below the teams with parachute payments. With Frank Lampard now at the helm, Coventry have added Kaine Kesler-Hayden, Carl Rushworth and Miguel Angel Brau, but they will need Haji Wright to be on top form if they are to get promoted this term. 

I wouldn’t fancy them to win the title at this stage, given what they are up against. 

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