English Championship Relegation Odds: Barnsley and Charlton +225 Favorites to Be Relegated
- Londoners face battle amid turmoil off the pitch
- Tough challenge for newly-promoted teams
- Millwall, QPR, Reading and Wigan also in for a torrid campaign
Charlton Athletic delivered one of the most unlikely success stories in English football last season when they won promotion from the EFL’s League One despite an on-going crisis of ownership off the field.
EFL Championship Relegations Odds
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Barnsley | +225 |
Charlton Athletic | +225 |
Millwall | +300 |
Reading | +300 |
Queens Park Rangers | +350 |
Wigan Athletic | +350 |
Birmingham City | +400 |
Luton Town | +400 |
Hull City | +450 |
Blackburn Rovers | +550 |
*Odds taken at 2019/07/31.
But they are favored to drop straight back down from the Championship along with fellow newcomers Barnsley as the new campaign kicks off – with both sides rated at +225.
It could be a tough time for London clubs in the competition with Millwall at +300 and Queens Park Rangers at +350 in the early running for relegation. Reading are also +300 with Wigan Athletic at +350, Birmingham City and newly-promoted Luton Town at +400 and Hull City at +450 .
Dramatic Playoff Triumph
Charlton won a dramatic playoff final to return to the Championship after three seasons.
They defeated Sunderland at Wembley 2-1 last May with the winner arriving four minutes into added time at the end.
We're counting down the days until the new campaign… 📅
Hear what @MattMiazga3 had to say ahead of Saturday's big kick-off in RG2!
🎟️ Tickets 👇https://t.co/pNmjSB70MR
— Reading FC (@ReadingFC) July 30, 2019
It was a remarkable story because the fans regularly stage protests during matches against the controversial ownership regime of Belgian businessman Roland Duchatelet.
He is accused of chronic under-investment while he attempts to sell the club and that means they look the best bet for relegation.
Charlton will have the weakest squad in the Championship.
Barnsley and Wigan Athletic make up the three most likely to tumble.
Charlton will have the weakest squad in the Championship.
Only eight Charlton players have Championship experience – and seven of those have been through relegation from the division.
The leading new signing has cost just $319,000 with striker Macaulay Bonne arriving after scoring 23 times for champions Leyton Orient in the non-league National League last season.
Pep speaks honestly about the need for patience, and the role Ivan has to play #bcfc #kro https://t.co/X9Atn18KgU
— Birmingham City News (@BCFC_News) July 28, 2019
Impressive midfielder Joe Aribo has been lost to Glasgow Rangers and long-serving defensive stalwart Patrick Bauer has left for Preston North End after four years.
Return After One Season
Barnsley finished second in League One to win automatic promotion last May.
It was an instant return after they were relegated from the Championship in 2017-18.
They have lost goalkeeper Adam Davies and key defenders Liam Lindsay and Ethan Pinnock who between them helped keep 21 clean sheets last season.
Barnsley have certainly re-strengthened more comprehensively than Charlton but the step back up may trouble them again.
Winger Luke Thomas is the major purchase. He has come from Derby County for $1.92 million.
Grant McCann says he’s happy to see the back of pre-season friendlies and can’t wait for the new Sky Bet Championship campaign to get underway.
➡️ https://t.co/yNkxx5xGiE#hcafc | #theTigers pic.twitter.com/uq6633nKEY
— Hull City (@HullCity) July 28, 2019
Danish defender Mads Andersen has been bought for $1.43 million and new Belgian arrival Bambo Diamby will further strengthen at the back.
Winger Luke Thomas is the major purchase. He has come from Derby County for $1.92 million.
Wigan are +350 to fall after finishing 18th last season. They will be hampered by the loss of Chelsea loanee full-back Reece James and attacking midfielder Nick Powell.
Last season they endured a dreadful run of just three wins in 24 games, although they have addressed defensive frailties by signing full-back Antonee Robinson from Everton for $3.2 million.
Millwall avoided relegation by one place last season and are priced at +300 for the drop..
Giant New Striker
They have seen the departures of experienced strikers Lee Gregory and Steve Morison.
However, the 6’6 striker Matt Smith has been signed from QPR. He will suit perfectly Harris’s uncompromising and direct style of play. He is a proven goal-getter who scored 20 times in the Championship for QPR in 2017-18.
Icelandic striker Jon Dadi Bodvarsson is another addition up front and winger Connor Mahoney has been bought from EPL side Bournemouth for $1.5 million.
Jordan Hugill is positive about what he can offer to QPR this season. https://t.co/QlgJCeoyp8
— QPR FC News (@QPR_GetWest) July 28, 2019
Portuguese coach Jose Gomes has been busy in the market with veteran Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam the most notable among nine new arrivals.
Reading are also +300 for relegation after finishing in 20th place last season.
Portuguese coach Jose Gomes has been busy in the market with veteran Scottish midfielder Charlie Adam the most notable among nine new arrivals.
New centre back Michael Morrison has also been brought in from Birmingham City to add experience. Both are free transfers.
Duchatelet: I'm stuck with Charlton due to the EFL's stupid systemhttps://t.co/6naguunbKd
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 30, 2019
New Rangers’ Boss
QPR have a new manager in Mark Warburton but are priced at +350 to tumble after a late escape last season.
Warburton has brought in 16 new faces including loanees. But the team has to make more of the attacking talents of highly-rated young forward Eberechi Eze
Newly-promoted Luton Town – League One champions – have broken their transfer record to pay $2.45 million for goalkeeper Simon Sluga as they signal their intention to remain at the higher level with six new arrivals.
Relegation Picks: Charlton Athletic, Barnsley, Wigan Athletic