Football 
Tennis 
Horse Racing Championship Winner, Promotion, and Top Six Odds
With a large chunk of the division’s twists and turns to come, our experts Matthew O’Regan and Sam Ingram will be previewing a number of current value selections in the Championship winner, promotion, and top six betting markets.
The EFL Championship is renowned around the world for its unpredictability and competitiveness. All 24 teams go into the season fancying their chances of promotion to the Premier League. This season, two teams look to be pulling clear of the rest.
In terms of the playoff race, it is as tight as ever, with only a handful of points separating 15th and the playoffs. The three relegation places are occupied by teams that most people would’ve predicted for relegation. However, Stoke and Watford are unexpectedly not too far away.
As always, be sure to check out BETSiE’s Championship Anlysis page where predictions over league finishes, points returns, promotion, top six finish, and relegation percentages can be found in England’s most exhilarating league.
In this article:
Championship Winner Odds
| Team | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester City | 1.90 | 54.50% |
| Ipswich | 4.50 | 22.20% |
| Leeds | 7.50 | 13.33% |
| Southampton | 29.00 | 3.40% |
| Sunderland | 41.00 | 2.40% |
| Middlesbrough | 51.00 | 2.00% |
| Norwich | 67.00 | 1.50% |
| Coventry | 101.00 | 1.00% |
| West Brom | 101.00 | 1.00% |
| Hull | 151.00 | 0.70% |
| Preston | 201.00 | 0.50% |
| Cardiff | 201.00 | 0.50% |
| Bristol City | 201.00 | 0.50% |
| Birmingham | 201.00 | 0.50% |
| Millwall | 251.00 | 0.40% |
After a shock relegation from the Premier Division, 2015/16 champions Leicester underwent a big rebuild, selling Harvey Barnes, James Maddison, and Youri Tielemans, to name a few.
Manchester City assistant manager Enzo Maresca took the reigns, entering his second managerial role after an unsuccessful stint at Parma.
The Italian has certainly stamped his authority at the Foxes, implementing his possession-based football already, with Leicester winning 11 of their first 12 league games. Their impressive start has them as favourites in the Championship Winner Odds. However, it is their nearest competitors you can side with in this intriguing title battle.
After coming in second place in League One last season, Ipswich are flying on their return to the Championship. With only one loss after the season’s opening three months, Kieran Mckenna’s side looks in good shape for back-to-back promotions.
The Tractor Boys have scored a league-leading total thus far. Their home form in particular has been impressive, averaging way over two goals per90 and scoring at least two in all six home games.
Leicester and Ipswich face off against each other on boxing day in a mouthwatering clash. With Ipswich edging further from the rest, Mckenna will have his sights firmly set on promotion.
At odds of 4.33, Ipswich presents value to us in the Championship Winner odds landscape.
- Bettingexpert’s Current Value Selection: Ipswich to win the Championship
- Best Odds: 4.33
- Bookmaker: bet365
Championship Winner Odds via bet365 on Monday, 23rd October, 09:00. Odds may now differ.
Championship Promotion Odds
Middlesbrough were one of the favourites in the Championship promotion odds this season after a strong end to the season under Michael Carrick. However, Boro fell short in the playoffs against Coventry and started the season in surprisingly poor form.
A 1-0 home loss to Millwall was followed up by defeats to Coventry, West Brom, Blackburn, and QPR, as well as draws to Sheffield Wednesday and Huddersfield. This left Carrick’s side languishing towards the bottom without a win in their opening seven league games.
However, Carrick has reverted to trusted players from last season instead of trying to integrate new players. A 2-1 win over Southampton kick-started their season. Victories over Watford, Cardiff, and Sunderland followed, with Boro moving up to 16th, just four points off the playoffs. In these victories, Middlesbrough scored at least twice in all of them, finally showing goalscoring form since the departure of top scorer Chuba Akpom to Ajax.
Middlesbrough are currently 8.00 in the Championship promotion odds with SkyBet. If they can continue their current form and momentum and finish in the playoff spots, we think Middlesbrough offer decent value to avoid playoff heartbreak this year and return to the Premier League.
- Bettingexpert’s Current Value Selection: Middlesbrough To Be Promoted
- Best Odds: 8.00
- Bookmaker: bet365
Championship Promotion Odds via bet365 on Monday, 23rd October, 09:00. Odds may now differ.
Championship Top Six Odds
| Team | Odds | Probability |
|---|---|---|
| Leicester | 1.04 | 96.2% |
| Ipswich | 1.12 | 89.3% |
| Leeds | 1.28 | 78.1% |
| Southampton | 2.10 | 47.6% |
| Norwich | 2.25 | 44.4% |
| Middlesbrough | 2.75 | 36.4% |
| West Brom | 2.87 | 34.8% |
| Sunderland | 2.87 | 34.8% |
| Preston | 4.50 | 22.2% |
| Hull | 4.50 | 22.2% |
| Coventry | 4.50 | 22.2% |
| Birmingham | 5.00 | 20.0% |
| Millwall | 5.50 | 18.2% |
| Bristol City | 6.00 | 16.7% |
| Swansea | 6.50 | 15.4% |
The last market we are looking at is the Championship top six odds market, and I am going with similar logic as the Middlesbrough promotion pick.
Swansea also started the season terribly, with Michael Duff failing to win any of his opening seven games in charge, leaving many doubts over his future after a 2-0 derby day defeat to Cardiff.
However, the 45-year-old has turned it around. Back-to-back 3-0 wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Millwall were followed up by a 2-1 win over Norwich and an impressive 3-1 victory at Home Park against Plymouth.
Duff was the victim of major criticism from fans and pundits alike due to his perceived ‘unattractive’ football, perhaps changing Swansea’s traditional possession style of football. However, he is starting to win fans over and looks to be building momentum at the Liberty Stadium.
If they continue to compete well, especially against the bigger sides in the division, their Championship top six odds price of 12.00 could present value as the season goes on.
- Bettingexpert’s Current Value Selection: Swansea Top Six Finish
- Best Odds: 12.00
- Bookmaker: Skybet
Championship Top Six Odds via Skybet on Monday, 23rd October, 09:00. Odds may now differ.
SAFER GAMBLING
At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.
