The English Football Championship, more commonly known simply as the Championship, is the second highest division in English football. It is comprised of 24 clubs, all just one step away from making it into the Premier League. It is considered to be the richest non-top-flight football league in the world but revenues are still dwarfed by the Premier League. The top two teams in the league at the end of the season are automatically promoted, while third to sixth face each other in the play-offs with the Wembley winners securing the final promotion spot. That play-off final is often referred to as the richest match in the world due to the windfall that the Premier League provides to the promoted clubs.
It's a long, arduous season with 46 games played and possibly another three in the play-offs, two of which could go into extra-time. The three bottom teams end up being relegated to League One. The pride of the league combined with the financial incentive of promotion makes this league a bettor's delight. Between the quality of the football, the atmosphere in the stands and the passion of the players - what more could you ask for! Throughout the season, our team of betting experts will analyze the forthcoming fixtures and give their well-researched opinions on who are going to be the winners and the losers.
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Below we've compiled some of the most important statistics that should aid you in your betting predictions. Note that the below figures are taken from the current 2023/24 Championship season:
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Leicester City have seperated themselves as the clear cream of the crop in the English second tier in what has been a thrilling campaign so far. Heading into the final third of the season, the Foxes have built up a six-point lead over second-place Leeds and look a good bet to be crowned champions and win promotion back to the Premer League at the first time of asking. Leeds find themselves involved in a tight battle with surprise Ipswich Town for the second promotion spot with the two teams even on points currently. Southampton are lingering in fourth-place, waiting for a slip-up by either side to take advantage.
Ultimately, we're going to stick with our original prediction of Leicester City to win the Championship as we still believe it presents some value at the current price. The 2015/16 Premier League champions are simply the most complete team in the league with the likes of Dewsbury-Hall, Mavididi, Ricardo Peireira, Issahaku and, of course, club legend Jamie Vardy in their ranks. Our prediction: Leicester City to be crowned champions!
Winner: Burnley won the title last season and the other automatic promotion spot went to Sheffield United.
Play-offs: Luton Town won the play-offs, beating Coventry City in the final, The the two semi-finalists were Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Relegated: Reading, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic went down. Reading would have survived but for being deducted six points.
Promoted to the Championship: Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday (play-off winners) won promotion to the Championship from League One.
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Odds taken from Bet365