Latest Championship Odds: Things in Sheffield Getting Wilder

Five games into the Championship season and things are already getting a bit odd. At the top, there is a strange look to things. Whilst at the bottom, things are a bit wild, though it seems things may be getting Wilder.

First Win in Style

The odds have seen a bit of a tumble for Ipswich Town this weekend, after their emphatic win on Friday night against Sheffield United. At Portman Road, Town fired five past a struggling United side, a bit shocking to consider it was their first win of the season.

Despite that, the bookies have seen enough and their price has tumbled from 9/2 to 7/2, with 3/1 even being offered by the majority. It may be a bit early to really get excited about them, considering they are seven points off the top.

However, if this is the start of things clicking, it makes sense.

After them, the point of interest has to be Middlesbrough, who salvaged a late draw against Preston in one of the early kick-offs. It is their first draw of the season and Deepdale is not an easy place to go to.

They lead the division by a point, and many Boro fans seem to think there is something already different about this season compared to in years gone by. There is a long time to go before we see if that is true. However, 17/2 could be a bit of value still.

Stoke City follow them in second with 12 points, having bounced back from last weekend's loss with a 1-0 win against Birmingham at the Bet365 Stadium. It is a huge win that proves they may have credentials as an automatic contender.

Chance to Extend

We're starting with Coventry again here, for the second week running. They are the second favourites to win the Championship this season, and in the same position in the Top Six runnings.

However, they have drawn three of their opening five games this season, and whilst they remain unbeaten, they need to show a bit more conviction. Scoring 15 goals has made them the top goal scorers, but only eight teams have conceded as many or more than them so far.

They are not in a bad place, far from it. But things need to start improving if they are to justify their price.

Looking upwards, we're heading a bit further South, where Bristol City sit in third place after yet another win at the weekend. A 3-0 win against Sheffield Wednesday is not the most shocking result. Nevertheless, you can only beat what is in front of you.

Dominant in the first half, the Robins scored each of their shots on target and the game was quickly put to bed. The price of 11/4 for them to get a 'Top Six Finish' is looking a little appealing, in all fairness.

Leicester had a bit of a rotten time in one of the early kick-offs, failing to beat Oxford United away from home and getting a man sent off. There is clearly some talent in the squad, but they need to be making more while they do not have any points deduction yet.

West Brom were beaten by Derby, who have been a bit of a bogey team for them at the Hawthorns in recent years. It was the Rams' first win of the season, and only the Baggies' first loss of the season.

Considering there were only six wins this weekend, it was certainly a chance to extend for teams at the top. However, several did not manage. A chance missed already, perhaps.

Horrific At The Bottom

Well, Sheffield United are still pointless, have conceded the most goals in the division, and have also scored the fewest. Talk about nightmare situations. Well, that is unfortunately a reality, and it meant that Ruben Selles was forced to leave his job.

Chris Wilder is set to be re-appointed, something which leaves you a little speechless, actually. Nevertheless, he will have his biggest task on his hands to salvage this season. Right now, it looks nearly impossible.

Ahead of them, only by a point, is Sheffield Wednesday, who were on the end of another big defeat this weekend, this time conceding three to Bristol City. It is not really a shock for Wednesday at this point, which is why they are 1/20 to go down with some bookmakers...

Oxford remain in the bottom three, despite their second draw of the season arriving at the weekend. Their result against Leicester is pretty strong, and it could be another boost they need to try earn their first three points.

In terms of other worries, Wrexham and Hull City are sticking out to me at present. The former look really mismatched in the Championship, and despite their excessive spending, they look no better than many in the division.

Hull are also in a bit of a precarious position; a 2-2 draw against Swansea is far from a bad result, of course. However, there is very little conviction in the Tigers, and that could be costly as the season goes on.