Favourites Leicester face daunting early Championship fixtures
Published:Whilst Championship favourites Leicester should overcome Peterborough at the King Power Stadium on the opening day of next season, their following month features a concentration of tough fixtures, which could dishearten punters backing the 6/1 shots.
After kicking off against Darren Ferguson’s gung-ho outfit, Nigel Pearson’s men face trips to newly-promoted Charlton, along with recently-relegated Blackburn, who are 14/1 fancies to claim the title.
Beaten playoff finalists Blackpool come next for the Foxes, and a trip to Molineux in the aftermath of that clash means the difficulty of their fixtures doesn’t dwindle.
Home ties with Burnley and Hull also won’t be straightforward, and a trip to Middlesbrough, tipped in some circles as dark horses at 16/1, rounds off a tricky opening couple of months for Leicester.
Meanwhile, 7/1 second-favourites Bolton kick off their campaign with what will be a hostile trip to Turf Moor, as manager Owen Coyle returns to Burnley in the league for the first time.
The Trotters’ following home matches against Derby and Nottingham Forest will be more accommodating, whilst a final-day derby with Blackpool could prove a significant meeting.
Next in the betting for the Championship is Wolves at 8/1, and new manager Stale Solbakken faces a baptism of fire in English football, as his side travels to Elland Road on the opening day.
The visits of Barnsley and Derby to Molineux in the aftermath of that match seem more appealing fixtures, whilst they will hold no fears in September trips to Ipswich and Peterborough.
A season of change is in store for re-branded Cardiff City this term too, and it is a campaign that will see the 10/1 hopes kick off at home to newly-promoted Huddersfield.
With their final full month of fixtures featuring a majority of home matches, the ‘Red Dragons’ will fancy their chances of promotion, should they head into the latter stages of the season in a favourable league position.
