Championship: Six-Pointer Disappoints While Bottom Sides Sink - Odds Watch

Matchday 29 of the Championship had huge potential to see some changes at the top of the standings. However, it was quite disappointing in the grand scheme of things, even if there are some interesting odds now.

No Movement at the Top

The Championship is notorious for being a difficult league to predict, given just how exciting it is. This season is following the same trend and the top four are really difficult to pick apart.

Leeds currently sit at the top of the division, and they faced third-placed Burnley on Monday night, with many expecting it to be a game of drama. Sadly this was not the case. Instead, the two teams played out a 0-0 with Leeds having the only shot on target of the game in the 90th minute.

Given Sheffield United lost at the weekend, and Sunderland failed to win, there has not been much change in the standings. So, let's dive into the standings and odds.

The Whites still sit top of the league as it stands by two points, which obviously is an increase on last week. As a result, the bookies have shortened the odds for the Peacocks to win the league, with most bookmakers now offering 2/5 or less.

For me, it is not worth getting on at this price as there are still too many teams in the title fight, and the risk is not worth what the return would be.

Sitting in second is Sheffield United, despite their loss to struggling Hull this weekend. Understandably, their odds have now drifted quite significantly, and the best price available is 6/1 compared to the 4/1 from last week.

Following the draw at Elland Road, Burnley's title position has arguably strengthened. The Clarets have now played Leeds home and away, so the fixtures are arguably quite easy from here on out. It may be worth considering their price.

Unfortunately for Sunderland, they were unable to capitalise on those above them dropping points and could only earn a solitary point against Plymouth Argyle due to a last-minute equaliser.

As stated in the previous odds watch, the Wearside team are 20/1 with Ladbrokes and Coral, which is the best odds including an Each Way place. So, if Sunderland finish second, you would effectively have odds of 10/1 for them to go up automatically, with it being 20/1 if they win the league. It still offers a hint of value perhaps.

Play-Offs Too Difficult to Call

Six teams are hoping for a place in the promotion places at the end of the season and given we have covered four teams already, it is pointless to then cover the same teams in this area, so we're going to look at fourth and below.

West Brom returned to winning ways at the weekend, convincingly beating Portsmouth 5-1, which gave the side a boost on the pitch and off it. As a result of the goals scored, the club have now overtaken Middlesbrough and now sit fifth on goal difference.

However, they are still priced below Middlesbrough for promotion this season, which is somewhat of a shock. 13/2 is the price available, but I could not really back this with any conviction, not yet anyway.

Middlesbrough, then, sit sixth but are the fifth favourites for promotion this season. The Smoggies fell to defeat against Preston (very comically if you have not seen) at the weekend, and this has seen them lose their place in fifth. Despite this, the bookies still have them at a decent price.

I'm also going to keep a spotlight on Coventry City, as I did last week. The Sky Blues have been doing quite well since Frank Lampard's arrival, and I must say that they are a real temptation for a top-six spot in the Championship - the price is quite nice too.

Bottom Four Sinking Quickly

Plymouth's fate already looks sealed, but there are three other teams that look quite hopeless as things stand.

Despite a 2-2 draw with Sunderland at the weekend, the Pilgrims do not look like a bet for safety, and the bookmakers are also agreeing with this viewpoint. They are seven points away from safety, and I don't think they will pick up that much.

Luton Town's fortunes are worryingly bad and after losing to Millwall at the weekend, there can only be fear about their position. However, I think they may have the best chance of turning things around, especially if they invest in a new striker.

Derby County dropped into the relegation zone at the weekend, and I cannot see things changing for them much. Their squad is not fantastic, so I cannot say I hold much hope about their fortunes moving forward.

Finally, Portsmouth's heavy defeat against West Bromwich Albion has thrown them further into the mix, and sitting on 29 points, they are very far away from safety. Things can quite quickly change, of course, but I don't see it getting better.

Stoke City, Hull City and Cardiff City all also need to be careful of the drop, and they are by no means clear of the drop, especially if two teams below have a decent spell.