It’s as tight as ever as the Championship season moves in to the final third. Who’ll be counting out that £120m Premier League jackpot come the end of May? (Odds are for promotion, not the title winners).
Leicester (1/50)
10 points clear of Derby down in 3rd with just 14 games to go. They’ve a decent squad (including Kevin Phillips, who always gets promoted) and an even better manager in Nigel Pearson so it’s hard to see them throwing it away now. Can’t argue with the odds, everyone else will just have to battle it out for the remaining 2 places.
Burnley (EVS)
Danny Ings and Sam Vokes have 36 league goals between them this season. Great and everything, but the rest of the squad have added just 14 more. If one of them were to get injured then they’d struggle. And with a resurgent Derby breathing down their necks, they might have to settle for a play-off place regardless. Though if it came to that, you’d fancy them to do alright.
Derby (6/5)
Transformed since Schteve McLaren replaced Nigel Clough back in October, and had he been there since the start of the season they’d probably be out of sight by now. Johnny Russell and Chris Martin are banging in the goals and in Will Hughes they have arguably the division’s best midfielder. Looking good for that second automatic spot.
QPR (8/5)
Solid defensively, but with only 37 goals from 31 Championship games they’ve no hope of going up automatically. Not sure they’ll thrive in the play-offs either, though if their current form continues (lost 3 on the bounce) there’s a real danger they might drop out altogether. 8/5 look
way short.
Nottm Forest (5/2)
Been there or thereabouts for most of the season, and while a late push for 2nd looks unlikely they shouldn’t have too much trouble holding on to their play-off spot. Can see them coming up short when they get there but you never know… Lottery innit, and 5/2 is probably a fair price.
Wigan (5/1)
A Europa League campaign on top of a 46 game season was always going to be stretch, but since they got knocked out their domestic form has improved. Uwe Rosler seems to be an upgrade on Owen Coyle and on paper at least they’ve got arguably the division’s strongest squad. My pick to win the play-offs, and great value at 5/1.
Reading (11/2)
Not convinced they’ll finish top 6, but they could well sneak promotion if they do. Two words; Nigel Adkins.
Also,
Brighton (10/1) and
Blackburn (16/1). Seems unlikely though...
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