English Championship 4-Fold Betting Tip
The English Championship is one of the toughest leagues to predict in world football. The sides who are relegated from the Premier League are certainly expected to challenge, but that is not always the case, with just nine of the last 30 relegated sides being promoted in their first season in the Championship. Stoke City, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion will be hoping to add to the list this time around and two of those sides will feature in this 4-fold betting preview. All of the odds in this article come courtesy of Coral and are accurate at the time of writing.
Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest look as though they are trying to emulate Wolves from last year by spending big on Portuguese players. They have so far added Joao Carvalho and Gial Dias to go along with the likes of Michael Dawson as they seek to finally return to the big time. They will be coming up against a Bristol City side who enjoyed a fabulous cup run last season, but with Aden Flint departing the club, I’m expecting City to struggle a bit more this season, so I’m going for an away win in this one.
Nottingham Forest to win – 7/4
West Bromwich Albion vs Bolton Wanderers
West Bromwich Albion finished the season very strongly under Darren Moore and fans will be hoping that they can continue that fine form in the Championship. On the opening day they will be coming up against a Bolton side who only just survived last season and who are expected to struggle again. Bolton have had their transfer embargo lifted, but they still haven’t added much quality to this poor squad. This one has got to go in the coupon as a home win.
West Bromwich Albion to win – 1/2
Leeds United vs Stoke City
Arguably the biggest game of the day is taking place at Elland Road as Leeds take on Stoke City. Leeds United pulled off a huge coup by getting Marcelo Bielsa in as manager and they will be hoping that he can lead them to the Premier League this season. He is a manager with bags of top level experience, but he will face a tough task on the opening day as his Leeds side come up against the bookies favourites to win the division, Stoke City. This Stoke City side look well set to come straight back up and in Gary Rowett, they have a talented young manager. I’m backing an away win in this one, but it could be a tight game.
Stoke City to win – 13/8
Preston vs QPR
Preston have been solid in their last two seasons, finishing in the top 10 both times around. Last season they were just a couple of points outside the playoff places and after Alex Neil has added some solid players this summer, they could well be there or thereabouts again. QPR, on the other hand, will probably finish in the bottom half of the table after struggling last season and currently being embroiled in financial difficulties. I’m backing Preston to start the season with a victory in this one and it could be a comfortable one.
Preston to win – 10/11
Total 4-Fold – 20/1