Championship Preview
Fulham dropped out of the Premier League last season with a pitiful 26 points last season but they can bounce back immediately under the stewardship of Scott Parker. After picking the squad up towards the end of last season he was able to enter the close season with an air of optimism and that’s continued with the shrewd acquisition of both Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro.
Knockaert was pivotal in helping Brighton out of the Championship, while Cavaleiro is equally capable of lighting up this stage. The Cottagers have kept hold of Aleksandar Mitrovic, and Ryan Sessengon remains in place so far. They look a stronger squad than when they came up two years ago. Of course Scott Parker’s lack of experience could count against him, but Fulham look a much better bet at 7/1 than the alternatives such as Leeds or Cardiff at the top of the market.
West Brom look weaker than last season with the loss of Salomon Rondon, Craig Dawson and Jay Rodriguez, while I’m not sold on Stoke’s chances either.
Perhaps more interesting could be Brentford at 14/1 to win the division or 9/2 for promotion. Sources inside the club seem pretty confident that this could be the time to make a play for promotion after several seasons of turning a profit in the transfer window. Their scouting methods are well known now and have finally made a move for a regular experienced Championship player with the signing of Pontus Janssen, and that could give a clue about the season ahead. Owner Matthew Benham is one of the shrewdest operators around and it looks highly likely that the same sort of pattern which has been successful at Brighton from a similar owner will eventually bear fruit.
At the other end, QPR have steadily regressed finishing 18th, 16th and 19th in their last three seasons. It wouldn’t take too much of a wobble to see them drop down a level and we’ve seen plenty of clubs of a similar stature take a turn as a League One heavyweight. Mark Warburton has more doubts about him than answers in my view, and the sale of Luke Freeman. A few new faces have joined, but none that massively stand out, and they are our first pick of the bigger clubs to struggle.
The same could be said about Birmingham, who will need to manage without Jota, Michael Morrison and their top-scorer from last season Che Adams. They survived a nine-point penalty last season, but the financial issues around the club have ensured the cheque-book has remained firmly shut over the summer and Pep Clotet faces a mammoth task this season.
Finally, at this end of the table Reading are a third “big” side who should be considered. Jose Gomes came in at Christmas and did enough to keep the Royals in the division, but they have hardly been pulling up trees in recent years and this could finally be the year they get sucked into trouble. With Charlton, Barnsley and Luton all looking very capable sides things could be tight at the bottom. Michael Morrison is a decent enough signing, but there have been more exits than entries and a season of struggles looks likely.
Recommended Bets
1pt e/w Fulham to win the title at 7/1 (Bet365)
1pt Brentford to win the title at 14/1 (General)
1pt Brentford to be promoted at 9/2 (General)
1pt Reading to be relegated at 3/1 (General)
1pt QPR to be relegated at 7/2 (General)
1pt Birmingham to be relegated at 9/2 (Blacktype)