Latest Championship Odds: SEVEN

The third set of fixtures brought some nice football our way, after all, the Championship is good for that. As Len Goodman once said, it also brought us 'SEVENNNN'.

As it is still early, we have tried to base outcomes on predictions of certain teams, rather than suggesting that a team is going for the title based on a few results... That being said, we will obviously take things into account.

So, without further ado, let's dive into it!

Two impressive teams

Ipswich are still the favourites for the League One title this season, but their price is certainly slipping. At the time of our last odds watch, they were priced at 16/5; now the best price is 9/2! The reason why? This weekend's loss.

Heading to Preston should, with respect, have been a chance to earn a first win of the season after two difficult games. However, the Tractor Boys did not take that chance and were beaten with no difficulty by the Lilywhites.

Kieran McKenna's side are really struggling to adapt to the league again, and they need to start picking up some points quickly!

For Birmingham City fans, it may be another season of success, with them now priced at 5/1 for the league title, which would be their second successive league victory. They have won both of their previous games after the opening day draw against Ipswich.

Oxford United, who are going to be one of the more difficult sides to beat at home this season, considering their game is very defence-first, which we'll get to. Nevertheless, the Blues got the job done, and Chris Davies will be very pleased with their opening to the Championship season.

With Southampton, they are also slipping a little bit. Will Still's start has not been great so far, but there is time to turn it around.

You have to go a bit lower in the odds, though, to find the two league leaders currently.

Those being Stoke City and Middlesbrough, who remain the only teams to have won every game they have played so far.

The Potters' fantastic start continued with an impressive away victory at Southampton, where they ended the game with 10 men. Mark Robins' credentials as a top coach are being proven once again, and the Stokies may finally break their curse of the Championship if things continue like this. Right now, 20/1 is a price that will only get shorter, with some bookies already offering 14s.

Then, Middlesbrough have also started the season superbly. Boro picked up a huge win against Norwich, who I thought would be a play-off contender this season. Away from home, that is a huge three points; they are now 10/1 to win the league title this year.

SEVENNNNNNN

It feels a bit unfair putting Coventry here, but for the time being, I think they can sit in here. However, it may not be too long before I'm considering them as a legitimate title contender; this weekend has only proved that.

Right now, the Sky Blues are the top scorers of the league, and that is due to their 7-1 win against a struggling QPR side. Even if they had only won by four goals, they would still be the top scorers in the league, which is a testament to Frank Lampard's work.

Three players bagged a brace, including the highly talented Jack Rudoni, whilst only three defenders didn't get a contribution. Fantastic from Cov. SEVENNNNNN out of 10 feels harsh here.

Elsewhere, West Brom's perfect record came to an end, thanks to a draw with Portsmouth at home. Nothing to be too concerned about, and most Baggies would have taken seven points from three games at the start.

Preston have also been a bit of a shock so far, winning their past two games and now sitting in the play-off places. The Lilywhites have looked strong thus far, and there is hope that this can continue.

For what it's worth, Leicester City picked up another win at the weekend, though they were not too convincing against a Charlton side that has not done much so far.

The less said about Sheffield United and Norwich, two of my picks for the play-offs this season, the better...

What is Happening?

The less said, the better until now, that is. Sheffield United are currently bottom of the Championship, and the calls against the club are only getting louder from the fans. A loss at Bramall Lane against Millwall has only deepened fears for this season.

They are in a recoverable position, but the Blades really need to start taking a look at themselves. If they don't, they could quickly lose their season before it ever starts. That 25/1 price is certainly lowering quickly!

Moving to Oxford, I don't think their loss to Birmingham is too bad considering everything. The U's have certainly not started well, being the only other team not to get a point. However, this weekend's loss is not a terrible result, and they can push forward after a tough game where they defended resolutely.

After their - I'm not saying it again - defeat to Coventry, QPR now sit in the bottom three, with the lowest goal difference so far. A draw on the opening day against Preston does not massively inspire, and they need to turn things around soon.

Sheffield Wednesday gained their first point of the season away at Wrexham on Saturday, and there will be a lot to be impressed with there. The Owls are certainly not giving up the fight!

The Red Dragons have also not started too well, and they will need to start getting their money's worth from their summer spending. Questions could start being asked of Phil Parkinson soon; perhaps he has taken the club as far as he can.