The 2016/17 Championship season gets underway on Friday night when Fulham play Newcastle and we’ve got some promotion betting tips ahead of the big kick-off.
It’s no surprise to see Newcastle leading the way in the Championship outright market, but it’s extremely competitive below them and there could be some value to be found elsewhere. We’ve picked out Championships predictions for which teams could get promoted.
The Magpies are almost certain to bounce back from a disastrous season and return to the top flight at the first time of asking. I would not put off anybody backing the Toon Army to sit top of the pile come May, especially under the tutelage of Rafa Benitez. But, I would not fancy an ante-post bet as short as 7/4 (Ladbrokes) for title winners and around 4/6 (Ladbrokes) for promotion. It’s far too short but I’m sure there will be plenty of big hitters waiting in line to invest.
Championship Promotion Betting Tips
I’m focusing on the promotion market which has now been priced up by the majority of bookmakers ahead of the new campaign. With Newcastle likely to finish at the summit, we’ll focus on the two spots behind them.
Aston Villa
Aston Villa will want to bounce straight back to the Premier League.
Aston Villa are a tough one to pin down. They didn’t have a mass clearout which many expected after such a horrendous campaign. Kieran Richardson and Charles N’Zogbia made their way out of the door whilst Carlos Gil heads back to Spain on loan. The appointment of Roberto Di Matteo and Steve Clarke is a step in the right direction and the signings of Tommy Elphick and Aaron Tshibola are impressive. The former is an experienced centre-half who can add some discipline to a dishevelled and often shambolic back four whilst the latter is a livewire with potential.
One of the bright spots – Jordan Ayew remains and RDM should be able to get the best out of him. 11/4 with 888Sport is the best price for promotion.
Norwich City
Fellow relegated side Norwich are next in the betting. Alex Neil has always impressed me as a managed. His passion is there for all to see and the players clearly enjoy working with him. Unfortunately, his tactical naivety was occasionally present in the Premier League, but they stand a good chance of bouncing back.
I would prefer to back them ahead of Villa. They have added Sergi Canos from Liverpool, who is an exciting prospect and had a terrific end to the season with Brentford. Nathan Redmond has departed but the Canaries are far from finished in the market. Alex Pritchard is the latest to be linked whilst they are now favourites to sign Ross McCormack. A lack of a proper goalscorer was their Achilles heel last season so adding the Fulham striker to their ranks would help ease that burden.
Out of the two sides, I would prefer to be with Norwich here. The side from East Anglia may have to navigate the play-offs again but with a couple more additions, they could be a real force. Norwich to be promoted is 11/4 with Coral and that’s my first Championship promotion betting tip.
Derby County
Another side interesting people are Derby County, who appointed Nigel Pearson during the summer. There’s tremendous potential in the squad, which has fallen short in the last couple of seasons. Steve McLaren, Paul Clement and Darren Wassall have tried and failed, but Pearson’s no-nonsense approach could steer them in the right direction. However, I don’t like backing a side who have suffered consecutive disappointments. There have been no new additions so far and they’ve spent most of the summer fending off bids for Jeff Hendrick from Premier League Burnley.
There may be transfers ahead, but a huge change of mentality is required and the likes of Hendrick and Hughes could yet be cherry-picked by clubs before the window closes.
I’d prefer to look elsewhere.
Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday will want to go one better this season.
I don’t have to go very far…Sheffield Wednesday are next in the betting at odds of 5/1 with 888Sport to be promoted to the Premier League in the 2016/17 season. Carlos Carvalhal had a brilliant first season in English football. He guided his side to the play-offs and they gave Brighton a good thrashing in the play-off semi-finals. Only a moment of magic from Mo Diame separated them and Hull in the final and they should make a good fist of it once again.
They were extremely strong at Hillsborough last season and I expect that to continue. Jose Semedo has signed a new contract and whilst game time is limited, he is supposedly a great influence around the dressing room. Stephen Fletcher is an impressive addition at this level and adds another attacking dimension to a side already full of goals.
As long as he can stay fit and they can keep hold of Fernando Forestieri, they should be hard to stop. They’ve added Jake Kean, but perhaps an improvement in defence is needed ahead of the season. Glen Loovens isn’t getting any younger, but should be solid enough.
The likes of Lucas Joao and Marco Matias should improve after their mixed first season in English football and I’d be happy to back Wednesday to have another very good season. Sheffield Wednesday to be promoted is 5/1 with 888Sport and my second Championship promotion prediction.
The Rest
It’s hard to make a case for Cardiff, QPR or Ipswich. Whilst I don’t fancy Wolves just yet. Fulham could be interesting, but if they lose Ross McCormack, they are going to need to replace his goals.
Leeds could also be interesting under Garry Monk and could make the play-offs. Brentford have a good man at the helm in Dean Smith, but will probably need a few more signings ahead of the new season. Romaine Sawyers and Daniel Bentley are good additions though.
Lee Tomlin is back at Bristol City and I fancy them to go well this season under Lee Johnson. Gary O’Neill might not play every week, but he adds some nous to the midfield and Johnson has proven his capabilities of motivating a squad.
Finally, Burton have made some impressively savvy signings and if they can get the best out of Lloyd Dyer and Chris O’Grady, they could go well. Barnsley’s momentum will have to stop somewhere, but will rookie boss Paul Heckingbottom be able to keep it going? Wigan could be anything, but they should be good to watch this season.
2016/17 Championship Promotion Betting Tips
Norwich to be promoted – 11/4 with Coral: BET HERE.
Sheffield Wednesday to be promoted – 5/1 with 888Sport: BET HERE.
Get a £20 free bet when you open a new Coral account and bet £5 or more on a football bet today. Get your £20 free bet with one click below.
Jack Critchley
Latest posts by Jack Critchley (see all)
- Football Accumulator Tips for Sunday 15th January to win £635 - January 14, 2017
- Football Betting Tips for a Championship Treble on Saturday 14th January at 12/1 - January 12, 2017
- Anytime Goalscorer Tips for Saturday 14th January at Odds of 16/1 - January 12, 2017
- Both Teams to Score Tips for Saturday 14th January to win £204 - January 12, 2017
Follow us