Tag Archives: Foxes

Foxes tipped to keep top spot

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There is a full list of Championship action to consider on Saturday when looking at the weekend coupon. Here we pick out some of the biggest games and assess which way they are likely to go in what is, as ever, one of the tightest leagues around.

After 12 games, just 10 points separate top from 17th, so there really is all to play for as we edge towards the busy winter period.

Leicester v Crystal Palace

The Foxes, as leaders, appear to be finally realising their potential and are living up to their pre-season tag of outright favourites for the title.

Nigel Pearson’s side, 4/7 to win, have claimed victories in six of their last seven Championship games and will take on the Eagles, shorn of their manager after Dougie Freedman’s departure to Bolton this week.

Expect a home win then as Palace, at long odds of 5/1 to win, will be reeling from Freedman’s somewhat unexpected exit (Draw 11/4).

Prediction: Leicester 2 Palace 0 at 6/1

Leeds United v Birmingham

This is a game at Elland Road which sees two well-supported clubs go head-to-head although it is a difficult one to predict.

Leeds (21/20) have been inconsistent but are just six points off the top and are always tough to beat at home.

Blues, 13/5 to win, on the other hand, have been poor overall under new boss Lee Clark and sit just two places and four points clear of the relegation zone.

However, they came back brilliantly from 3-0 down at Millwall in midweek to draw 3-3 to show their character and will look to build on that with a draw in West Yorkshire (23/10), however difficult that will be.

Prediction: Leeds 1 Birmingham 1 at 11/2

Blackburn v Watford

Rovers say they will have a new manager in charge by next week amid reports Harry Redknapp is ambitiously being lined up by the Ewood Park club’s owners.

Fulham first-team coach Billy McKinlay and Tottenham counterpart Tim Sherwood are also in the frame but it will be Eric Black who leads them again at home to Watford, who are on offer at 3/1 with the draw at 12/5.

Rovers got a morale-boosting 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the week and should follow that up with another home win in this.

Watford remain frustratingly inconsistent under Gianfranco Zola but will ask questions of Rovers although three points for Black before he again goes back into the shadows is the bet, albeit at a short 10/11.

Prediction: Blackburn 2 Watford 1 at 7/1

Middlesbrough v Bolton

Boro are improving and have the look of a side destined for at least the play-offs this season as they host what could be a rejuvenated Bolton side (13/8) at the Riverside.

Tony Mowbray’s men are now unbeaten in four, having won their last three, and will be confident of seeing off Wanderers (13/8), despite the appointment of Freedman this week.

However, don’t rule out the impact of the ‘new manager bounce’ – even if Freedman is not officially in charge of team affairs this weekend – and back the draw at a tempting 9/4.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Bolton 2 at 14/1

Cardiff v Burnley

Cardiff are again flying high in the Championship in second place as they hope to finally join the top flight after a series of near-misses in the past few years.

They entertain manager-less Burnley and this looks like a home banker, reflected in the unappealing odds of 8/11 for a Bluebirds triumph, while the Clarets are a long 4/1 to win with the draw at 5/2.

Burnley have had two good wins since Eddie Howe left, against Blackpool and in midweek against Bristol City, but this is a much bigger test as they take on the joint leaders.

Cardiff, who have won all six of their home games so far, need to keep the pressure up on the Foxes at the top and nothing other than another three points for Malky Mackay’s men looks the outcome here.

Prediction: Cardiff 3 Burnley 1 at 12/1

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Tigers out to maul Foxes

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Hull City have got that all important winning momentum behind them which will be put to the test when they make the trip to the King Power Stadium to face Leicester City (Leicester Evs, draw 12/5, Hull 11/4 Match Betting) on Sunday.

The Tigers have enjoyed their best start to a season in 19 years under manager Steve Bruce, who has seen his side win their last three outing in the Championship.

A 3-2 victory over Yorkshire rivals Leeds United at Elland Road in midweek will have given the squad plenty of confidence, for what will be a difficult trip to the East Midlands against another promotion contender.

Hull have shown plenty of resilience in the league this term and their three recent wins saw the side come back after going behind to claim the victories in two of the encounters.

If Bruce’s side go behind at the King Power Stadium, don’t rule out the Tigers still getting something out of the game, as they look to strengthen their position in the top six (28/1 Leicester HT/ Hull FT).

Hull are still without the likes of Matty Fryatt, Jack Hobbs and Tom Cairney through injury but so far they have been able to fill the void left by the trio.

In better news for Bruce, he has been able to welcome back Paul McKenna into the fold and the influential midfielder will be able to add plenty experience in the middle of the park to contrast with the likes of Robert Koren.

Jay Simpson was largely quiet against Leeds but he is a threat at Championship level and Leicester will have to keep an eye out for the striker, who has bagged three goals this season.

As for the Foxes manager Nigel Pearson he will be determined to get one over on his former employers who he joined in June 2010 before returning to Leicester just over a year later.

The home side will be pleased to welcome back playmaker and talented goalscorer Andy King who has been out of action with a hamstring injury but will return for Sunday’s encounter.

Leicester themselves are on a decent run at the moment, having secured wins over both Wolves and Burnley in their last two outings.

Looking at both sides, this game should certainly have goals in it, as Hull have only failed to score once against the Foxes in their last 18 league meetings.

With King returning and the likes of Jamie Vardy and Ben Marshall at their disposal, Leicester have the ability to score goals and backed by their home crowd they will be a tough proposition.

However, Hull have looked very impressive in recent weeks and Bruce and his men may well be heading back to Yorkshire with all three points on Sunday evening (11/1 Hull 2-1 win – correct score).

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Foxes to prove potential

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Leicester City were once again touted as one of the favourites to earn promotion to the Premier League over the summer but after a slow start to the season the Foxes will be looking to get back on track with three points against Burnley on Wednesday (Leicester 4/5, draw 5/2, Burnley 7/2 Match Betting).

Manager Nigel Pearson will have been frustrated by his side’s performances at the start of the campaign, which has not been easy for the East Midlands outfit. Defeats to Blackburn Rovers and Wolverhampton Wanderers have shown that this Leicester side is going to struggle to compete for the title, but a win over high-flying Blackpool will give them hope of finishing in the playoff places.

With the likes of Jamie Vardy, Andy King and Ben Marshall in their ranks, Leicester (9/1 Championship outright) have some promising young players who will cause Burnley problems at the King Power Stadium.

As for Burnley, they will be buoyed by their 5-2 victory over Championship struggles Peterborough United on Saturday and will head to the midlands looking for their first points away from home. Striker Charlie Austin will be the main threat for the Lancashire outfit, having scored six goals this season so far, but on home soil Leicester should come out on top and climb up closer to the playoff places.

Wednesday will also see Ipswich Town host a Wolverhampton side who are starting to get into their stride in the Championship (Ipswich 11/8, draw 12/5, Wolves 15/8 Match Betting). Having suffered an opening day defeat to Leeds United and losing to Cardiff City before the international break, Wolves (11/1 Championship outright) have come back strongly with that 2-1 victory over Leicester.

Excluding the loss of Steven Fletcher and Matt Jarvis, Wolves have been able to keep many of their players from their Premier League campaign last term and they should be challenging for the Championship title this term.

Ipswich find themselves second from bottom in the table and manager Paul Jewell certainly has his work cut out for him if the Tractor Boys are to enjoy a successful season. Town have been guilty of leaking 11 goals in their first five games in the Championship and they look set to concede a few more, with Wolves likely to pick up the three points at Portman Road.

Wednesday also presents a Yorkshire derby as Sheffield Wednesday prepare to host Huddersfield Town at Hillsborough (Wednesday Evs, draw 5/2, Huddersfield 11/4 Match Betting).

Having made a fine start to the season, the Owls are running the risk of stalling after a 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace and a 3-0 drubbing by Brighton in their last outing.

Huddersfield, who were promoted with Wednesday from League One last season, are still looking to adapt to life without star striker Jordan Rhodes, who completed an £8m move to Blackburn Rovers last month. A 1-0 win over Derby in their last outing will have pleased manager Simon Grayson, whose side look set to share the points with the Owls in what should be an exciting Yorkshire derby clash between two evenly matched sides.

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Blackpool can tame flat Foxes

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Blackpool manager Ian HollowayBlackpool are the only Championship side with a 100 per cent record but they face a big test at Leicester City, who are currently 8/1 to win the title outright, on Saturday.

The Foxes are considered one of the favourites to win promotion this season under Nigel Pearson but Leicester haven’t got off to the kind of start they would have hoped for, with just three points on the board after three games.

Blackpool could have been forgiven for starting the season slowly after defeat in the play-off final at the end of the last campaign but Ian Holloway’s men seem set to mount a sustained promotion challenge and demonstrated this with a 6-0 hammering of Ipswich last weekend.

In contrast, Leicester are in the midst of a mini-slump and even a home tie against Burton in the Capital One Cup in midweek didn’t offer any respite as the Foxes slumped to a 4-2 defeat.  Therefore, the freescoring Seasiders look good value at 23/10 to secure all three points in the 5.20pm kick off on Saturday, while the hosts are 11/10 and the draw 5/2.

Another side who have legitimate promotion aspirations this season are Nottingham Forest, who completed the signing of Henri Lansbury from Arsenal earlier this week. Lansbury is recovering from injury and will not feature as Forest hosts Charlton on Saturday but Sean O’Driscoll’s men should still be able to continue their unbeaten start to the season and maintain their 100% home record.

Forest are evens to take all three points, the draw is 12/5 and a win for the Addicks is priced at 11/4.

Gianfranco Zola’s arrival at Watford in the summer was met by some scepticism but the Italian has enjoyed a fine start to life as a Championship manager with six points from the Hornets’ three games to date.  Zola’s side travel to Derby County on Saturday, with the Rams still seeking their first win of the season.

Derby have only lost one fixture so far, at Bolton, but as Watford’s raft of summer signings continue to gel they will only get better and are great value at 2/1 to take all three points at Pride Park. Derby are 13/10 to seal the win and the draw is 12/5.

South Yorkshire outfit Barnsley are in the middle of an injury crisis and boss Keith Hill is without 10 first-team players for the visit of high fliers Bristol City on Saturday. Hill has even gone as far as checking what cars his players are driving, sitting positions and distances travelled to try and find the root cause of his injury nightmare and when it gets to that stage you know you’re in trouble.

It could be a case of damage limitation for the Tykes until they have a few more bodies back from the treatment room, including Egyptian forward Mido, and the visiting Robins could capitalise on Barnsley’s plight. City boss Derek McInnes brought in a number of attacking additions during the summer and has plenty of options available to him and the Robins will be confident of taking all three points back to Ashton Gate when they visit Oakwell on Saturday.

A win for Bristol City is 13/8, Barnsley are also 13/8 to pick up three points and the draw is 23/10.

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Foxes to take down Gulls

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There will once again be plenty of expectation on Leicester City this term and it will be interesting to see how they get on when they get their campaign underway with a trip to Plainmoor to face Torquay United in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday (Torquay 3/1, draw 11/4, Leicester 5/6 Match Betting).

Over the past couple of seasons plenty of money has been spent at the King Power Stadium to sign the likes of Paul Konchesky and Jermaine Beckford, to name just a few players lured away from the Premier League.

Manager Nigel Pearson does have a very strong squad at his disposal and the introduction of Ritchie De Laet and Zak Whitbread to the defence this summer will make life difficult for Torquay, who will have to be at their best to catch the Foxes off guard.

There is bound to be some upsets on Tuesday night in the first round of the competition but it looks highly unlikely one will come at Plainmoor, with Leicester looking set to be too strong for the League Two outfit.

Cardiff City are another side who have splashed the cash recently and their latest recruitment of Craig Bellamy from Liverpool shows their intent ahead of their cup clash with Northampton Town at Sixfields Stadium (Northampton 10/3, draw 13/5, Cardiff 4/5 Match Betting).

The introduction of Heidar Helguson up front alongside Bellamy would be a potent combination which should cause the Cobblers all sorts of problems on Tuesday night.

Northampton boss Aidy Boothroyd may be able to get his side battling for promotion from League Two at the end of the season but they look set for a very early exit from the Capital One Cup.

Derby County are preparing to host Scunthorpe United at Pride Park on Tuesday, with the Irons more than capable of causing an upset if the Rams are not on their guard (Derby 8/11, draw 11/4, Scunthorpe 7/2 Match Betting).

Having come through a disappointing campaign in the Championship last term, manager Nigel Clough has lost defender Jason Shackell this summer and has been limited on the quality of players he can bring to the East Midlands outfit.

Scunthorpe have brought in American striker Mike Grella this summer and the former Leeds United forward has the ability to cause the Derby defence problems.

There is no reason why Scunthorpe can’t cause an upset here and they might just be able to get one over on Derby at Pride Park.

Championship promotion contenders Birmingham City are another team that have high expectations on their shoulders this season and they host Barnet in what should be another good game to prepare for the start of the league campaign (Birmingham 2/5, draw 7/2, Barnet Match Betting).

With a new manager, Lee Clark, at the helm in his biggest job to date, he will be looking to get a winning momentum going at St Andrews and they should have no problem in seeing off League Two Barnet to book their place in the second round of the Capital One Cup.

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Foxes hunt Boro scalp

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Wednesday’s sole Championship encounter sees Leicester City look to keep their push for a play-off place on track against a Middlesbrough side whose own promotion ambitions have hit the buffers in January.

The game was delayed by 24 hours due to Boro’s involvement in the FA Cup fourth-round tie at north-east neighbours Sunderland on Sunday and that could hand an immediate advantage to the Foxes.

Nigel Pearson, who captained Boro to promotion to the Premier League in 1998, saw his Leicester charges comfortably defeat League Two Swindon 2-0 in the cup on Saturday, while Tony Mowbray’s side were involved in a blood and thunder derby draw at the Stadium of Light a day later.

The extra 24 hours’ rest and the fact the Foxes were not pushed too hard should stand the hosts in good stead, although Pearson has doubts over in-form striker Jermaine Beckford and full-back Lee Peltier from that game.

However, loan striker Nathan Delfouneso (13/8 Anytime Scorer) could come in for Beckford, while Liam Moore is available to replace Peltier if required.

Pearson also has midfielder Danny Drinkwater and goalkeeper Conrad Logan available, while new signing Wes Morgan will be in the squad.

Boro have problems in goal with teenage keeper Connor Ripley set for only his second start after coming off the bench to replace veteran Danny Coyne at Sunderland, while first-choice custodian Jason Steele is still sidelined with a thigh strain.

Influential midfielder Nicky Bailey remains sidelined due to a knee injury, while Julio Arca serves the second match of a three-game ban after being sent off at Coventry.

Kevin Thomson returns from his one-game suspension as Mowbray is likely to name a similar side which earned a creditable cup draw on Wearside.

Leicester have won their last three games, albeit two of those were in the FA Cup with a win at Southampton sandwiched in between, while they lost their last league game at the King Power Stadium when Barnsley triumphed 2-1.

The Foxes’ last league win on home soil was against Blackpool at the end of November so they are not exactly firing on all cylinders in front of their own fans.

Boro’s impressive first half to the season has unravelled in recent weeks as they go to Leicester on the back of three successive league defeats, in which time they have conceded eight goals and scored only once.

However Mowbray will no doubt hope his players can transfer their impressive performance from the Sunderland cup tie into the league to ensure they stop the rot in the East Midlands on Wednesday.

Recent fixtures between the two sides have been close affairs with five draws from the last seven, while Leicester won the other two when they did the double over Boro in the 2009/10 season.

It was a goalless draw at the Riverside earlier this season and there is a good chance of a similar outcome this week.

Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 23/10
Value Bet: 0-0 Draw Correct Score @ 15/2

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Foxes can extend unbeaten run

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There are nine Championship games taking place on Tuesday, which will have a big impact on both ends of the table. Here’s our treble selection, which is headed by resurgent Leicester as they seek to step up their promotion bid (Championship – totesport).

Leicester v Blackpool

Nigel Pearson already appears to be weaving his magic at the King Power Stadium, with the Foxes unbeaten in their first two games of his second stint in charge. Leicester started his second reign as manager with a crushing win over Crystal Palace and followed that up with a useful draw at Portsmouth at the weekend.

Despite a disappointing start to the campaign, the Foxes are still just one point outside the play-offs and with more spending power in January, will almost certainly mount a promotion challenge.

A win on Tuesday will see Leiceser leapfrog their opponents in the table, but Blackpool will pose a threat to the home side. Ian Holloway’s men have scored ten goals in their last four matches, but have also been conceding plenty and will struggle to cope with the Foxes’ firepower.

Suggested Bet: Draw HT / Leicester FT – 7/2

Derby v Brighton

Two teams who have struggled in recent weeks, go head-to-head at Pride Park and don’t be surprised if honours are even.

Four places and two points separate the Rams and the Seagulls, who look likely to fall short of a place in the top six.

After a fine start, Derby have lost their last four league games and have slipped into the bottom half of the table. Nigel Clough will be worried with their form in front of goal, especially at home, where they have drawn a blank in their last two matches.

Brighton did collect a win over struggling Coventry at the weekend, but they haven’t won away from home since early September – a 1-0 success at Bristol City. Goals have been a concern for Gus Poyet, with no Brighton striker scoring in the last two months.

Suggested Bet: Draw @ 12/5

Watford v Bristol City

The in-form side in the division are in action at Vicarage Road and surely it’s just a matter of time before Bristol City are out of the bottom three. It could happen in midweek, if they can defeat Watford and maintain their recent impressive run.

Derek McIness has inspired the Robins to five wins and a draw in their last five games, including an outstanding win over league leaders Southampton on Saturday. Nicky Maynard has scored three goals in the last two games and McIness will struggle to keep hold of his star striker.

Watford themselves have picked up in recent times, with the Hornets losing just once in their last five matches. They are often a tough nut to crack at home, but this season they have lost four of their nine matches at Vicarage Road.

Suggested Bet: Maynard to score at anytime @ 3/2

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Foxes eyeing vulnerable Leeds

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Three games take place on Sunday in the Championship with the pick of the action coming from the King Power Stadium as Leeds travel to take on managerless Leicester. Both teams had high hopes at the start of the season and despite mixed fortunes in the last couple of months, are just outside the play-off zone.

Leicester v Leeds (15:00)

Simon Grayson’s Leeds make the trip down to Leicester after a humiliating 5-0 defeat to Blackpool at Elland Road on Tuesday, and they can expect no joy on the road when they face the Foxes , who are buoyed from their 3-1 win at Burnley during the week.

Although without a permanent manager since Sven-Goran Eriksson was sacked last month, Leicester proved they have enough quality to push for promotion this season in their impressive display in the emphatic victory on Tuesday.

Caretaker manager Jon Rudkin was able to leave Jermaine Beckford on the bench for the game at Turf Moor, with David Nugent and Paul Gallagher both rewarding him with goals. On paper, the Foxes have one of the best starting XI’s in the Championship and it is only a matter of time before they go on a winning run, which will push them into the play-offs at the very least.

Take Leicester at 10/11 to overcome the Yorkshire side and David Nugent looks a good bet to score the first goal of the game against Leeds at a generous 5/1.

Brighton v Barnsley (15:00)

After a flying start to life in the Championship, Brighton have not won a league game since September 10. They have though had a tough fixture list in recent weeks, so they will appreciate the visit of Barnsley to the Amex Arena.

Keith Hill’s side have been no pushovers this season, but they are unlikely to be in the top of the table come the end of the season. Hill took over the reins at Oakwell in the summer and was handed one of the smallest budgets in the Championship, which the objective to remain in the league this season.

Craig Mackail-Smith surprised a lot of people when he signed for south coast club in the summer, despite generating a lot of attention from Premier League clubs. He is a good price at 9/2 to score the opening goal in the game.

The home side look the best bet and the Seagulls to be winning at half-time/full time at odds of 7/4 looks a decent price.

Reading v Birmingham (15:00)

Birmingham travel to the Madjeski Stadium after a tough European encounter with Club Brugge on Thursday evening, in which they came back from a 2-0 deficit to take a point from the game.

It is the perfect time for the Royals to take on the Chris Hughton’s side, on the back of a European encounter and they are a solid selection at 6/5.

Reading have a solid home record so far this season, they have not been beaten on home soil since early September.

Adam Le Fondre (9/2 First Goalscorer) signed from Rotherham before the summer transfer window closed. He has made a good start to his career at the club, scoring four goals in his opening seven games.

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Rams value to maul Foxes

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There is a full programme in the Championship on Saturday as the table begins to take shape nine games into the season and the stand-out match has to be the surprise package so far, Derby County, travelling to East Midlands rivals Leicester City.

Moneybags Leicester were busy in the transfer window this summer as they look to return to the ‘promised land’ of Premier League football and are third in the betting to win the Championship, priced at 7/1.

However, it has not been the start to the season they would have hoped for as the new arrivals are perhaps taking their time to gel and they lie six points behind the leaders, down in 11th place in the table.

And one of three teams that share 19 points at the top is Derby, and the Rams are looking for their seventh win in 10 matches to seal their best start to a season for 42 years.

Sven Goran Eriksson’s men have had the better of the recent record between the two, winning both fixtures 2-0 last season (13/2 repeat scoreline), and have been installed as the 4/6 favourites in the match betting.

However, the Foxes have won two and lost two of their four games at the King Power Stadium and although they have gone six games unbeaten in the league, they are struggling to come out on top as four of those results have been draws.

County, in contrast, have won three of the four games on their travels and although a defeat at Coventry earlier in the season and a 1-1 draw against Barnsley last time out do not look impressive, surely a form side is worth considering at a huge price of 4/1, while the draw is available at 11/4.

Leicester have higher profile players in their squad but Jermaine Beckford (5/1 First Goalscorer) is an injury concern for Eriksson along with Richie Wellens, both groin, while Michael Johnson is suffering with a shoulder problem.

However, one-time England striker David Nugent is available again after a hamstring complaint and is priced at 11/2 First/Last Goalscorer, along with Darius Vassell, while Steve Davies is a 15/8 joint favourite to Score Anytime for Derby – no surprise after having bagged five already this term.

West Ham look a good shout to take the points at Selhurst Park in a London derby against Crystal Palace and are Evens favourites in the match betting, with the Eagles on offer at 11/4 and the draw at 12/5.

The Hammers have only ever lost two away matches in this fixture and are unbeaten on their travels this season, with three wins and a draw, scoring nine goals in the process and conceding just one.

The fact that West Ham were beaten at home by Ipswich in midweek might work in their favour as well as Sam Allardyce will want, expect and demand a positive response.

Middlesbrough look a cracking price at 19/10 to continue their perfect away record at Reading, with the home side priced at 11/8 and the draw at 12/5.

It is at the Riverside where Boro have had their problems, although they remain unbeaten this season, with just one win and four draws.

However, Boro have been unstoppable scoring seven goals and conceding just one in their first four wins away from the Riverside.

The Royals lost Shane Long to West Brom before the transfer window shut and have struggled to perform in front of their own fans so far.

Reading are unbeaten in three going into this fixture, winning two of them, but did suffer a 2-0 reverse against Watford before the streak started and will have their work cut out.

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Foxes face promotion pressure

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Eriksson McDermott

With just over two weeks to go until the start of the Championship season, punters will be eyeing a potential ‘good value bet‘ in a wide-open division. The likes of Swansea, Blackpool and Burnley have surprised many by gaining promotion to the top flight in recent years, could there be another surprise package this season?

Leicester (9/2jf Championship Outright) look like the team to beat this term after spending big during the summer transfer window.

Sven Goran Eriksson turned the Foxes from relegation candidates to play-off contenders last season and has spent money on strengthening his squad.

David Nugent, Matt Mills, Neil Danns, Sean St Ledger and Kasper Schmeichel are among the names arriving at Leicester and although they look like quality additions, the pressure will be on for Eriksson’s men to deliver the goods.

West Ham (6/4 to win promotion) are another team expected to go close this season, despite losing a number of first-team players since their relegation from the top flight.

Sam Allardyce has pulled off a real coup with the capture of Kevin Nolan, but a couple of other new faces will be needed if they are to stake a claim for an imminent return.

Birmingham and Blackpool are the other two clubs looking to go back up at the first time of asking, with the Tangerines looking a better bet at this stage.

Ian Holloway may have lost Charlie Adam and David Vaughan but in Kevin Phillips (33/1 Championship Leading Scorer) they have someone who can grab 20-plus goals this term.

Blues have lost four first-team regulars and Chris Hughton has some rebuilding to do to make them a force, although he knows how to win promotion having won the title with Newcastle.

After the appointment of Steve McClaren, much of the press will be keeping a close eye on Nottingham Forest (3/1 to win promotion) this season.

The ex-England boss has brought back Andy Reid to the City Ground and the capture of Jonathan Greening from Fulham looks like a useful addition. The play-offs will be the minimum target for McClaren.

Burnley finished last season strongly under Eddie Howe and have a lot of quality in their squad, but they will need a goalscoring replacement for Chris Iwelumo. The Clarets’ home form is likely to keep them in touch with the chasing pack, but they will need to improve on the road.

Reading (12/1 Championship Outright) will still be haunted by their play-off final defeat to Swansea and the loss of Mills will have a big impact on their hopes. Brian McDermott must keep Shane Long if the Royals are to challenge for promotion.

The Yorkshire challenge will come from Leeds and Hull, with the Tigers looking a more likely threat.

Nigel Pearson has made some shrewd additions, in particular Paul McKenna, and in Matt Fryatt (20/1 Top Goalscorer) has one of the best strikers in the division.

Leeds have struggled to make an impact in the transfer market and will be relying heavily on the intimidation factor of Elland Road.

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