Championship 2021-22 Preview
As is invariably the case, the three relegated Premier League teams are seen as the market leading for promotion from the Championship over the coming season.
Fulham and West Bromwich Albion have become renowned as yo-yo teams in recent years, while Sheffield United are also expected to be strong contenders for an instant return to the top-flight.
It’s no great surprise to see the three teams that came down from the Premier League leading the betting to win the Championship, with Fulham at 11/2 with 888sport, West Bromwich Albion at 13/2 with bet365* and Sheffield United at 15/2 with Betway.
However, although all three teams are expected to be in the promotion shake-up, it looks a tough call to pick a Championship winner this season and there is an element of the unknown with all three relegated clubs in that they all have new managers at the helm.
To Be Promoted Betting Odds
There is also the possibility of all three of these clubs losing key players to Premier League clubs before the transfer window closes for business too, so there is a substantial element of risk in betting any of them for the title as things stand.
It might be more prudent to look at the odds for all three teams in the ‘To Be Promoted’ betting market, with Fulham on offer at 15/8 with William Hill, West Bromwich Albion at 11/4 with 888sport and Sheffield United at 11/4 with Betway.
Outside of the relegated trio, Bournemouth look good value at 6/4 with bet365* for a Top 6 Finish.
Cherry Pick
New Bournemouth manager Scott Parker earned plaudits for his efforts at Fulham and takes over at a club with plenty of talent at its disposal.
Sam Surridge and Phillip Billing look set for moves away from the club in the near future, so much could depend on how much of the proceeds Parker is given to bolster his squad and on whom that money is invested.
Even so, it’s difficult to believe that he would have taken the job without certain guarantees as to his transfer budget and the Cherries really should be in the frame for promotion back to the EPL.
Top Half Finish Odds
In the ‘To Finish in Top Half’ betting, it could pay to keep an eye on Queens Park Rangers at 4/5 with Betfair.
QPR finished last season strongly and look to have recruited well over the summer, with the likes of Stefan Johansen, Charlie Austin, Sam Field and Moses Odubajo joining Mark Warburton’s squad. Indeed, the 3/1 with bet365* on QPR for a Top 6 Finish isn’t without some appeal either.
Relegation Betting
At the other end of the table, Derby County are still working under a transfer embargo at the time of writing. They have now been allowed to sign out-of-contract players for the new season, but any deals will have strict wage limits.
Not all bookies have odds available on relegation for the Rams due to the uncertainty over their situation, but bet365 offer them at 5/6* for the drop.
If those betting odds don’t appeal for a long-term bet, then Huddersfield Town look likely to struggle and can be backed for relegation at 10/3 with bet365*. The Terriers struggled last term and have done little in the transfer market as yet to suggest that there will be any marked improvement over the coming campaign.
Blackburn Rovers might be also worth an interest for relegation at odds of 8/1 with William Hill.
It seems highly likely that the prolific Adam Armstrong (28 league goals last term) will leave Rovers before the transfer window closes, while the hugely influential Bradley Dack is a long-term absentee after suffering a second cruciate knee ligament injury in a little over a year back in March.
Reading over-performed last season and looked certainties for at least the play-offs for most of the campaign before falling away badly in the latter stages. They’ve lost key players to transfers and injury since then and could be worth a punt at 9/1 with Betfair for the drop.
Top Yorkshire Club Betting Odds
A more niche market is that of the ‘Top Yorkshire Club’, which features 5 teams:
- Sheffield United
- Middlesbrough
- Barnsley,
- Hull City
- Huddersfield Town
Middlesbrough under Neil Warnock could be a threat, but Sheffield United can still call upon a quality squad and look capable of topping this group at 6/4 with William Hill.
Betfinder Championship Football Predictions:
- Top 6 Finish: Bournemouth @ 6/4 with bet365*
- To Finish In Top Half: Queens Park Rangers @ 4/5 with Betfair
- Relegation: Huddersfield Town @ 10/3 with bet365*
- Top Yorkshire Club: Sheffield United @ 6/4 with William Hill
* Championship football betting odds correct at the time of writing. All odds subject to change.
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