Leeds Given 4-1 Odds to Win 2019-20 English Championship

• Bielsa stays on for another crack at promotion
• Fulham look for quick return to EPL
• New WBA boss Bilic are third-favorites

Leeds United will be hoping to celebrate their centenary season by finally returning to the English Premier League at the end of the forthcoming campaign.

The sleeping giants who were once European Cup finalists suffered major heartbreak when they missed out on promotion by losing in the playoff semifinal last May.

But they are favorites to lift the EFL Championship title in the coming campaign at +400.

EFL Championship 2019-20 Odds

*Odds taken at 2019/07/24. 

The newly-relegated Fulham and West Bromwich Albion – also beaten playoff semifinalists last season – are then best-priced for a quick return to the top flight.

London’s Fulham are +700 while WBA are +900. Cardiff City, with promotion-specialist manager Neil Warnock in charge, are rated at +1000. Stoke City are +1200 with Middlesbrough and Derby County at +1400.

Coach Delivers Boost

Much of the optimism surrounding Leeds – who were founded in 1919 – is based on the fact that highly-rated Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa has decided to remain at the club.

Cottage Talk: Anthony Knockaert Signs On Loan With Fulham
@TeddyNello@RobWilo8 @Scott_Tanfield @FriendsOFFulham #FFC #Fulham #FulhamFC https://t.co/njNYM2ByL4 pic.twitter.com/1EFTg7jQjd

— Russ Goldman (@Russ_Goldman) July 24, 2019

The 62-year-old considered quitting because he was so distraught by the failure last May to secure the club’s return to the EPL after a 15-year absence.

Leeds looked nailed on for an automatic promotion place.

Between late November and mid-February, they were never out of the leading pair.

They began well in the playoffs, with a 1-0 first leg win in the semifinal against Derby County. But they then suffered a stunning 4-2 defeat in the return match.

Following a blip, they were second again behind eventual champions Norwich City after a run of three wins in four.

But they eventually finished third after a closing run of three defeats and a draw.

They began well in the playoffs, with a 1-0 first leg win in the semifinal against Derby County. But they then suffered a stunning 4-2 defeat in the return match.

So highly-regarded is coach Bielsa that the loss of influential Swedish midfielder Pontus Jansson has not dimmed the bookies’ view that the Elland Road team will lift the title.

Tough Task Second Time Around

However, the Championship is a tough league and it remains to be seen if he can work his touchline magic a second time around.

.@BrittOfficials' second goal is well worth another look ??

Highlights from last night ?? #UTB

— Middlesbrough FC (@Boro) July 24, 2019

The squad has been strengthened by the loan signings of Portuguese winger Helder Costa from Wolves and defender Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion.

Promising young winger Jack Clarke was sold to Tottenham but has immediately been loaned back to Leeds.

Fulham’s one-season stay in the EPL was calamitous despite a major spending spree last summer.

Despite Parker’s inexperience, Fulham could be a better value bet for the title.

However, coach Scott Parker is now in permanent command after winning three and losing ten of the matches in which he was in temporary charge last season.

Despite Parker’s inexperience, Fulham could be a better value bet for the title.

? | Kemar Roofe will return to action in four weeks after scans revealed his injury was not as severe as first feared

— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 24, 2019

They have been buoyed by the signing of a five-year contract extension by star Serbian striker Alexandr Mitrovic, who scored 11 EPL goals last season despite relegation.

Impressive Loan Arrivals

French winger Anthony Knockaert has been signed on loan from Brighton as Parker seeks to make Fulham an attacking force as powerful as they were when they were promoted from the Championship in 2017-18.

Portuguese forward Ivan Cavaleiro has been signed for a second season on loan from Wolves.

However, the £27 million Ivorian midfielder Jean Michel Seri has departed on loan to Galatasaray after failing to impress at Craven Cottage last season.

WBA have a new coach in Croatian Slaven Bilic and it will be a transitional season which may affect their title hopes

There could yet be big bids for impressive young attacking fullback Ryan Sessegnon.

WBA have a new coach in Croatian Slaven Bilic and it will be a transitional season which may affect their title hopes.

They were beaten in the playoff semifinal by Aston Villa last May.

Centre-forward Kennet Zohore has been the most expensive addition to the squad at £9 million from Cardiff City.

But former regulars Jay Rodriguez, Gareth Barry, Craig Dawson, Wes Hoolahan and James Morrison have departed.

Warnock is Cardiff’s Promotion Expert

Cardiff’s 70-year-old boss Warnock will be seeking the ninth promotion of his career but they are unlikely to challenge for first place.

The squad has lost Zohore along with centre back Bruno Manga. Warnock has re-strengthened at the back by landing defender Aiden Flint from Middlesbrough and defensive midfielder Will Vaulks from Rotherham.

The full story from our penultimate friendly of pre-season…#WBAhttps://t.co/cTBlftPg7F

— West Bromwich Albion (@WBA) July 23, 2019

Middlesbrough – who just missed last season’s top six – have a rookie boss in former player Jonathan Woodgate,

There have been no major signings and the new coach will have to improve the team’s form at home after they took just 36 points there last season.

Pick: Fulham +700