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You can also check out our Championship outrights articles on promotion odds, top 6 and top scorer.
The Championship relegation odds is always a fascinating market to research, but clubs with off-pitch issues are unfortunately often some of the runners and riders. The gap between the third tier and the Championship has widened in the last decade and therefore newly promoted clubs are typically also amongst the favourites for the drop. Ipswich Town are interestingly fifth favourites to win the second tier despite only winning promotion from League One last season, with smart recruitment allowing sides to move up the second tier swiftly in recent years.
With the big kick-off around the corner, now it is the perfect time to start considering selections for the Championship outrights, and you should check out our insight on the Championship top 6 odds as well.
Unlock a £30 risk-free bet courtesy of Paddy Power to maximise your potential in the Championship outrights via the following link:
Rotherham continue to have their work cut out in the second tier
For the first time since 2015-16, Rotherham United finished a season without being promoted or relegated, but it was undeniably a struggle to get over that line. Paul Warne started the season in charge and positivity reigned as they stepped into the top half but his move to Derby rocked the boat and a squad punching above its weight started to struggle until a January splurge helped keep their heads above water.
Despite survival, Rotherham remain favourites to go down in the Championship relegation odds list and can be backed at 13/8. While the budget has increased – as evidenced by the three-year-deal handed to Jordan Hugill in January, they have found it tough to improve their squad this summer, only bringing in back-up goalkeeper Dillon Phillips, the excellent-when-fit Grant Hall and a wildcard in Cafu, formerly of Nottingham Forest.
Meanwhile, they have lost their dressing room leader, Richard Wood, most explosive talent and top scorer, Chiedozie Ogbene, while their new Head of Football Operations doesn’t come from a footballing background. And though the budget has increased, it is still amongst the lowest in the division. Rotherham may have kept their heads above water last year but averaged around a point-per-game under Taylor, who hasn’t had pre-season with a stronger squad than the one he had last year.
Championship Relegation Odds
4th August
kick off 20:00 Rotherham UnitedGreen Army to find life in the second tier tough
Like Rotherham, this is a selection based on budget. Plymouth Argyle step into the Championship and know they are up against it thanks to a budget that will be dwarfed by most in the division, meaning they will have to be smarter than the clubs they’re competing against this year.
Plymouth are a smart club. They won League One last season thanks to years of smart decision-making and good management. They’ve even managed to sign two of the loanees that helped them get over the line and Steven Schumacher has only improved his team since taking over as head coach.
However, a newly promoted club has been relegated in each of the last five Championship seasons, showing the scale of the challenge ahead. Schumacher, who has been linked with other managerial positions, has experimented in pre-season rather than nailing his colours to the system that won them promotion. They are also without their best player, goalkeeper Michael Cooper, for a period and are yet to sort out their attack.
The Green Army won’t go down without a fight, but at 9/5, they’re good value to back for the drop.
Championship Relegation Odds
4th August kick off 20:00 Plymouth ArgyleNeil Warnock’s Terriers lacking bite
You don’t expect to be involved in a relegation battle when you appoint Neil Warnock. And the form of the Terriers under the 74-year-old to secure their safety last year was extraordinary given the position they found themselves in.
However, Warnock has tended to bail when promotion is no longer possible and there is little chance of that happening with a Huddersfield side made up of the unwanted and young. They only made their first signing of the window on July 21st, a goalkeeper, and financially, they’re cash-strapped.
It means that whether Warnock or somebody else is in charge, they will have their work cut out. The summer has been a cost-cutting exercise yet the squad still remains somewhat bloated and it’s a group no longer playing for survival. And if any young players do perform, they could be sold in January to help out financially. This is a tough gig and it’s why they are 3/1 in the Championship relegation odds list.
Championship Relegation Odds
4th August kick off 20:00 Huddersfield TownAll change at QPR and not for the better
There are many reasons that in the Championship relegation odds list, Queens Park Rangers are as low as 3/1. For starters, the club is in turmoil off the pitch. Tony Fernandes and Les Ferdinand have departed the club after lengthy spells. Their poor decisions have led to a situation where the club are toeing the line with Profit and Sustainability rules making this summer even more difficult.
In the dugout is Gareth Ainsworth. He’s a cult hero from his playing days at QPR but his arrival epitomised the chaotic decision-making at the club, lurching from one project to another. He just about kept the club in the division but it wasn’t pretty and fans are already nervous.
As for the squad, it’s one with a weak mentality and nowhere near enough bodies. They have lost their loanees and four of their starting XI with Ilias Chair and Chris Willock potentially following. And with two weeks to go before the start of the new season, they are far from finished in their squad building.
Championship Relegation Odds
4th August kick off 20:00 QPRChaos reins in Sheffield
Just when you think Dejphon Chansiri has got his head screwed on, he goes and does something utterly ridiculous and it’s why Sheffield Wednesday represent great value for relegation at 7/2 in the Championship relegation odds list. As noted above, each of the last five Championship seasons have seen a newly promoted club relegated. What’s more, most of the clubs that get relegated from the Championship are either short financially or run chaotically. Wednesday certainly fit the latter.
For the first time in a while, Wednesday looked settled. Darren Moore had led the club to promotion with over 90 points and a dramatic play-off campaign. On June 8th, their head of recruitment and analysis departed for Blackpool. On June 19th, Darren Moore and his backroom staff left by mutual consent. On July 4th, Xisco Munoz, whose last three jobs have seen him sacked within a year of being appointed, was made head coach.
It was widely believed that Wednesday needed to freshen up an ageing squad this summer but only two players over the age of 30 have departed, and their only signing with two weeks to go until the start of the season is Reece James, who was on loan at the club last season. The club are heading into the campaign with one arm tied behind their backs and look good value to be relegated at 7/2 thanks to the chaotic state of their ownership.
Championship Relegation Odds
4th August kick off 20:00 Sheffield Wednesday
