The first round of fixtures have been played and Steve Bruce’s Villans are now top of the market.
The first legs of the Championship play-offs were everything we expected and at the end of it, Derby and Aston Villa will be taking 1-0 leads into their second legs against Fulham and Middlesbrough respectively.
The bookies have been swift to change their odds following the games and it means that play-off new boys Aston Villa are now favourites to go all the way and secure a place back in the Premier League.
Villa produced a classic away performance to stifle Boro and took their chance when it came, a Mile Jedinak header the difference between the two and it gives something for the Midlands club to hold onto at Villa Park.
Around 13/5 before yesterday, Steve Bruce’s side are now as short as 5/4 to win the play-offs, with a best price of 11/8 still available.
Boro have drifted to 9/1 outsiders, with an awful lot to do for Tony Pulis if he wants another play-off final, something he did with Gillingham in the late 90’s.
Fulham aren’t being counted out yet and despite being 1-0 down at half-time, they are 12/5 best price to turn it around and book their first ever trip to the new home of football.
Finally, Derby have been slashed to 3/1 after being 5s before the first game. They may find it tough at Craven Cottage against a side that has such good home form, but then again, when do the play-offs ever usually follow the script?
Oddschecker Spoeksman George Elek: “Aston Villa have struck first and given themselves a great platform in their second-leg against Middlesbrough. The new favourites are just 11/8 to win the play-offs and with Steve Bruce’s side the most fancied by punters in the run up to the weekend, there may be some confident bettors doubling down on the Midlands club.”
Now the first legs are done and dusted...
— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) May 13, 2018
Who do you think will win the #Championship play-offs?
