Latest Championship Odds: Three-Point Gap and a Preston Slap

A few big results in the Championship this weekend have seen the table change slightly. So, at the top and bottom, let’s take a look at which teams have moved. 

Coventry Continue On

At the top of the league, Coventry City’s position has only been further solidified after yet another win this weekend. Back at the CBS, Frank Lampard's fantastic home record impressively continued with another three goals.

With 16 goals this season, and only three conceded, they are firmly the best team in the division at their own ground. Past their home record, it is difficult to suggest that they are not the best team in the division, generally, to be honest. 

This weekend’s results saw them reach a +25 goal difference, which is 16 more than any other side. Lampard’s side are firmly on their way to the Premier League at this trajectory, and the odds confirm this at 10/11.

Middlesbrough’s slip-up this weekend has certainly helped Coventry, and a 1-1 draw at home to Wrexham will have disappointed the Riverside faithful. They fell behind early on, but a late goal from Hayden Hackney meant they did not lose too much ground. 

Their unbeaten streak at home continues for now, but with a three-point gap to catch the leaders, some may feel like it was a chance wasted against a poor Wrexham side. Nevertheless, they are still very much in the conversation. 

Especially with them losing the second least amount, behind only - you guessed it - Lampard’s team. All is not said and done yet; Boro can still put up a fight at the top.

Turning Around

The play-off situation has faced a massive turnaround in recent weeks, and there can be a lot said about the fact that teams are now starting to iron out places, somewhat. 

Perhaps the most convincing so far is Millwall, who have really come into their own in recent weeks. Four wins on the bounce mean they have the third spot locked, and they could even look to push on towards the top two.

A 1-0 win against Leicester has left many impressed, given the Foxes have been one of the bookmakers’ favourites for a top-six spot for quite a while now. It could have been a 2-0 win as well if Mihailo Ivanovic had converted from 12 yards.

However, the Lions will not be disappointed. A win is a win, and it was a big one at that, with their odds going down to 7/4 after the weekend for a top-six place. 

Bristol City have also enjoyed a bit of a rejuvenation recently, scoring their third win on the bounce this weekend. For the Robins, it was a solid win against Birmingham City, who were in many top-six position predictions over the summer. 

Whilst the Blues have been slightly underwhelming, there is certainly an argument to make that it would not have mattered this weekend. Gerhard Struber’s side defended well, despite an onslaught of pressure from the visitors. 

Elsewhere, Stoke City returned to winning ways, and it has seen them solidify their position in the play-offs, with a pretty decent gap to sixth place. Whilst it was not an attractive one, a win at Fratton Park is a solid one, indeed.

It is their first away win since the end of August, so it will be a big boost for the Potters’ season, especially if they can continue to keep strengthening their position in the play-offs with more strong performances on the road.  

Charlton take the last place in the top six, and they could have lost it, had they not drawn against Hull City this weekend, who are also on 19 points. However, they are not alone, with Preston North End sat in 7th. In other words, that last play-off spot could be anyone’s to take. 

Bye Chansiri and Bye Two-Goal Lead

At the bottom, there have been some pretty big changes in the last week. Sheffield Wednesday could not grab a positive result this weekend. However, with Dejphon Chansiri effectively out of the club, the Owls could start to be backed by their fans again, and this could have a huge impact on their season.

Then, we have a shock drop, with Norwich sitting amongst the bottom three, which no one would have expected before this season began. A loss to Swansea this weekend was their fifth in a row, and they are now 7/2 to be relegated from the Championship.

In fact, they are now the fourth favourites for relegation this season. Things are really not looking good for them.

Taking the last spot in the bottom three is Sheffield United, who, despite leading by two goals, lost 3-2 against Preston North End away from home. Questions will continue to be asked about the Blades, especially when they cannot keep strong leads. 

Elsewhere, it was a positive week for Blackburn Rovers and Oxford United, both of whom grabbed wins - against Southampton and Sheffield Wednesday respectively - which has helped their situations.

Rovers now sit outside of the drop zone, if only by a point, whilst the U’s have a three-point safety buffer. Not out of it, but certainly better off.