We take a look at the teams backed for promotion and relegation as the Championship draws ever nearer.
The Potters are looking for an immediate return to the Premier League and are the bookmakers’ favourites in which to do so at 11/2.
A spine of Jack Butland, Ryan Shawcross, Joe Allen and Benik Afobe is surely the stand-out one in the division and under the new manager Gary Rowett, anything but promotion will be deemed as an unsuccessful season. 18% of all bets have been placed on The Potters coming out on top since July 1st.
Middlesbrough were knocked out of the play-off semi-finals last season but they have only strengthened their side, as they look to go up automatically this time round.
The addition of Bristol City’s captain Aden Flint might well be one of the signings of the season, and Tony Pulis’ side are arguably deservedly second favourites in the market at 15/2.
Despite this, only 8% of all bets have been placed on silverware heading up north. Aston Villa and Derby County have received more bets on them achieving success.
The wild card for promotion this season are Nottingham Forest. With ten new additions, including Benfica’s Joao Carvalho for £13 million, shows the Midlands club intent.
Agent Jorge Mendes, who helped Wolves to succeed last season, has helped bring in three attacking Portuguese players to the City Ground and as a result, they have been cut dramatically from 28-1 into as short as 9-1 to win the Championship.
The Reds have received almost 20% of all bets to win lift the trophy in May, more than any other club.
At the other end of the table, League One play-off winners Rotherham are as short as evens to be relegated. Despite the odds, only 5% of all relegation bets have been placed on The Millers to drop straight back down.
Surprisingly, it is Swansea City who have received almost 22% of all bets for back-to-back relegations. Graham Potter has taken charge but with finances tight and players being forced out the door as they remain on huge wages, it could be a difficult task for the Englishman who has been managing in Sweden for the past eight seasons.
The Swans are currently 33-1 best priced to be relegated to League One and Oddschecker punters have been taking the price since the beginning on July.
