The Championship Week 1 Tips: West Brom vs Blackburn, Coventry vs Hull
League One and Two are already underway but this weekend sees the start of the new Championship season and Friday’s curtain-raiser is full of intrigue as big-spending Birmingham play host to title favourites Ipswich.
Two divisions separated those teams last season but the Blues soared to the League One title while Ipswich were relegated from the Premier League and that is also the case in the Saturday fixture involving Southampton and Wrexham, who played second fiddle to the Blues in the third tier.
Elsewhere, fellow relegated side Leicester entertain favourites for the drop Sheffield Wednesday, who are starting the season in turmoil, while Sheffield United meet Bristol City.
Tip 1 - Coventry City to beat Hull City @ 3/4
There were few fans that would have been on board with the decision to appoint Frank Lampard as manager in November, but his arrival had the desired effect at Coventry and they were unfortunate to be edged aside by Sunderland in the play-off semi-finals.
However, a new season brings about fresh opportunities and the Sky Blues have the talent to figure in the promotion picture, suggesting that they should have too much for opening opponents Hull.
Coventry won 11 of their final 15 home games last term and have done well to retain the bulk of their squad, whereas the Tigers have transfer embargo restrictions in place and could be set for another season of struggle.
Hull won only two of their final nine away games last season as they limped to a 21st-placed finish, only surviving relegation at Luton’s expense on goal difference, and they look a long way off the levels of Coventry.
Tip 2 - West Brom to beat Blackburn @ 4/5
Emulating last season’s ninth-placed finish may prove tough for West Brom but they have turned to Ryan Mason to form their play-off push and he should be well prepared for the challenge, having spent seven years on the coaching staff at Tottenham.
The Baggies had the Championship’s seventh best home record last season, having lost only four of their 23 matches at The Hawthorns, and Blackburn look ideal first opponents.
Rovers fell two points short of the play-offs last term, but that looks well above their expectations and they won only four of their final 12 games under manager Valerien Ismael.
Blackburn continue to be hampered by financial restrictions and plenty of key players from last season have departed, including Tyrhys Dolan, Joe Rankin-Costello, Andreas Weimann, Callum Brittain and Danny Batth.
Tip 3 - Oxford to beat Portsmouth @ 8/5
Portsmouth finished one point and place above Oxford in 16th in the Championship last season, but the U’s can make the most of home advantage at the Kassam Stadium.
Pompey are keen to improve, but they were dreadful on their league travels last season, taking only 14 points from 23 away games and suffering 15 defeats.
Oxford manager Gary Rowett has an excellent understanding of this division and he has worked hard to bolster his squad over the summer, with loan signings Will Lankshear, Nik Prelec and Luke Harris improving them in attacking areas.
The U’s lost only seven of their 23 home league matches last season and performances at the Kassam Stadium could be key to their survival prospects.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change
