EFL Championship 18/19 Betting Tips & Predictions
Widely known as one of the most competitive leagues in the whole of football, the 18/19 Championship season is expected to be one of the most entertaining and unpredictable in recent years, with many teams having invested heavily in the summer transfer window in an attempt to ensure that they are well equipped to deal with their 46 matches. With Wolves, Cardiff City and Fulham having all gained promotion to the top-flight last season, who will be the standout teams this time around? Elsewhere, which clubs will be left sweating at the wrong end of the table?
The new campaign gets underway on Friday 3rd August, when Reading host Derby County, with fans across the UK counting down the days already. The likes of Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion are already being lined up as the bookies favourites for promotion, however things are never as expected in the Championship, meaning that there are likely to be some unlikely candidates come the last few weeks of the season. Could the eccentric Marcelo Bielsa guide Leeds United to a revival? Or will the likes of Aston Villa and Middlesbrough return to the Premier League?
The Best Betting Tips for the Championship
We will be providing betting tips on all major Championship fixtures, perfect for those looking to gain a helping hand on their way to beating the bookmakers. Our tips also offer nothing but the best odds around, as well as promotions from major betting platforms. Our football experts take everything into account too, with everything from form and team news to head-to-head records and motivation analysed pre-match. Carrying out such research only adds to your chances of success being heightened.
Current Championship Betting Tips
Meanwhile, despite usually focusing on the main betting markets available, we do sometimes back more diverse options, whether it be a draw no bet or double chance market. Meanwhile, when there is an overwhelming favourite for a particular match, betting options including handicaps and over/under goals are also well worth considering.
EFL Championship 18/19 Season
Now its time to take a closer look at the teams involved in the English second tier this season, including the managers in charge of such clubs, along with the standout player to keep an eye on. Their position in last season’s standings will also potentially provide a good indication of their chances this time around, however with teams having joined from both the Premier League and League One also, predictions are certainly not straightforward.
| Team | Position Last Season | Manager | Star Man |
| Aston Villa | 4th | Steve Bruce | Jonathan Kodjia |
| Birmingham City | 19th | Garry Monk | Che Adams |
| Blackburn Rovers | Promoted | Tony Mowbray | Bradley Dack |
| Bolton Wanderers | 21st | Phil Parkinson | Erhun Oztumer |
| Brentford | 9th | Dean Smith | Alan Judge |
| Bristol City | 11th | Lee Johnson | Andreas Weimann |
| Derby County | 6th | Frank Lampard | Mason Mount |
| Hull City | 18th | Nigel Adkins | Jarrod Bowen |
| Ipswich Town | 12th | Paul Hurst | Joe Garner |
| Leeds United | 13th | Marcelo Bielsa | Ezgjan Alioski |
| Middlesbrough | 5th | Tony Pulis | Britt Assombalonga |
| Millwall | 8th | Neil Harris | Ben Thompson |
| Norwich City | 14th | Daniel Farke | Ben Marshall |
| Nottingham Forest | 17th | Aitor Karanka | Lewis Grabban |
| Preston North End | 7th | Alex Neil | Ben Pearson |
| Queens Park Rangers | 16th | Steve McClaren | Luke Freeman |
| Reading | 20th | Paul Clement | John Swift |
| Rotherham United | Promoted | Paul Warne | Joe Newell |
| Sheffield United | 10th | Chris Wilder | Billy Sharp |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 15th | Jos Luhukay | Barry Bannan |
| Stoke City | Relegated | Gary Rowett | Joe Allen |
| Swansea City | Relegated | Graham Potter | Tom Carroll |
| West Bromwich Albion | Relegated | Darren Moore | Matt Phillips |
| Wigan Athletic | Promoted | Paul Cook | Nick Powell |
There have been plenty of changes to both managers and playing squads over the summer, with the likes of Graham Potter and Marceloa Bielsa having joined Swansea City and Leeds United respectively, as the duo prepare to take on the rest of the Championship field for the first time in their careers. Elsewhere, the likes of Tony Pulis, Steve McClaren and Steve Bruce all have vast amount of experience in the English game, but will this be enough to see their clubs shine?
The 2018/19 Championship Season
A total of 24 teams helps to make up the Championship, meaning that each team will play 46 games throughout the season, with their points total and goal difference determining the position in which they will eventually finish. The top two teams in the table come the end of the regular season will automatically be promoted to the Premier League, while the teams placed in 3rd-6th will battle it out in the season ending playoffs, with the playoff final revealing the third and final team to gain promotion to the top-flight. Meanwhile, the bottom three teams will all be relegated to League One, something in which all clubs will be hoping to avoid. With no winter beak scheduled until the 19/20 campaign, the Championship season will run from August through till May, with teams often playing as many as three times in just seven days.
Top Championship Transfers
As previously mentioned, many clubs have been extremely active in the summer transfer window, with a whole host of deals meaning that many teams will have a new look to them this season. Let’s take a look at the top transfers completed by Championship clubs, with such players potentially having a great impact in the second tier of English football.
- Oghenekaro Etebo: Feirense – Stoke City £6 million – The Nigerian international was one of the standout players for the Super Eagles at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, with the midfielder set to provide Stoke with energy and qualify in midfield this season.
- Mason Mount: Chelsea – Derby County Loan – The Chelsea youngster excelled himself while on loan at Vitesse in Holland last season, with much expected of the talented 19-year-old under the guidance of new Derby boss Frank Lampard.
- Patrick Bamford: Middlesbrough – Leeds United £7 million – Despite having often been on the periphery of things at the Riverside, Bamford could well deliver if given a regular run of games at Leeds this season.
- Joao Carvalho – Benfica – Nottingham Forest £13 million – Forests smashed their transfer record in order to obtain the services of this talented Portuguese winger, although it remains to be seen how he will adapt to life in England.
- Dean Henderson – Manchester United – Sheffield United Loan – England youth international Henderson signed a new contract with United before signing on loan for the season at Bramall Lane, with the youngster expected to take the No.1 jersey.
Championship Stadiums 18/19
Despite the likes of Newcastle United and Wolves having moved into the Premier League over recent times, there are still some hugely impressive and vast stadiums hosting matches in the Championship this season, which help to create some of the best atmospheres around. Let’s take a closer look at all of the venues involved this time around.
Aston Villa currently have the biggest stadium capacity at 42,682, while with a maximum capacity of just over 12,000, Championship newcomers Rotherham United are unable to compete with some of their larger rivals in this area:
| Club | Stadium | Capacity |
| Aston Villa | Villa Park | 42,682 |
| Birmingham City | St. Andrews | 29,409 |
| Blackburn Rovers | Ewood Park | 31,367 |
| Bolton Wanderers | Macron Stadium | 28,723 |
| Brentford | Griffin Park | 12,763 |
| Bristol City | Ashton Gate | 27 |
| Derby County | Pride Park | 33,597 |
| Hull City | KCOM Stadium | 25,586 |
| Ipswich Town | Portman Road | 30,311 |
| Leeds United | Elland Road | 37,89 |
| Middlesbrough | Riverside Stadium | 34,742 |
| Millwall | The Den | 20,146 |
| Norwich City | Carrow Road | 27,244 |
| Nottingham Forest | The City Ground | 30,445 |
| Preston North End | Deepdale | 23,404 |
| Queens Park Rangers | Loftus Road | 18,439 |
| Reading | Madejski Stadium | 24,161 |
| Rotherham United | New York Stadium | 12,021 |
| Sheffield United | Bramall Lane | 32,702 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | Hillsborough | 39,732 |
| Stoke City | Bet365 Stadium | 30,089 |
| Swansea City | Liberty Stadium | 21,088 |
| West Bromwich Albion | The Hawthorns | 26,688 |
| Wigan Athletic | DW Stadium | 25,138 |
18/19 Championship Betting Odds
As well as the ability to bet on individual Championship matches, punters now have the opportunity to back their favourite team to either win the title or gain promotion, along with a range of other markets. Let’s take a look at the odds before the season gets underway, which are provided by Betway.
Favourites for Promotion
It perhaps comes as little surprise that the likes of Stoke City and West Brom are among the favourites for promotion, with the duo having been relegated from the Premier League last season. The duo both possess playing squads full of talent, with managers such as Gary Rowett and Darren Moore both looking to add to their increasing reputations in the English game. Elsewhere, having lost in the playoffs last time around, both Aston Villa and Middlesbrough are good outside bets.
Favourites for Relegation
Having been promoted from League One last season, Rotherham United will be looking to put up a stronger fight than their last Championship campaign, however it remains to be seen as to whether they have the firepower to deliver on a weekly basis at this level. Elsewhere, the likes of Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers were perhaps lucky to avoid the drop last season, meaning that it comes as little surprise that they are among the relegation favourites once again.
Top Goalscorer Award
The two favourites for the golden boot award have both joined new teams over the summer, with Benik Afobe set to line up for Gary Rowett’s Stoke City, while Lewis Grabban should feature heavily for big-spending Nottingham Forest. Elsewhere, should he stay injury free, former Bristol City frontman Jonathan Kodjia should find the back of the net for Aston Villa on a regular basis.
Our Betting Forecast for 18/19 Championship Season
The Championship is a notoriously difficult league to predict, with any team having the ability to defeat anyone on their day. However, there are undoubtedly some standout names to look out for over the next 10 month, including the recently relegated Stoke City and West Bromwich Albion, who look well set up to push for an automatic return to the Premier League. Meanwhile, a whole host of teams will be eyeing promotion via the playoffs, with the likes of Middlesbrough and Aston Villa having reached this stage of the competition last season, with the latter losing in the final at Wembley Stadium. As far as relegation goes, Rotherham United already look like being a prime candidate, despite having brought in some good players in the transfer market. The Yorkshire side could well be joined by clubs including Wigan Athletic and Bolton Wanderers in the battle to avoid the drop.[/text_output]