Championship Betting Tips from our Experts
2023/24 Championship
The English Football Championship, more commonly known simply as the Championship, is the second highest division in English football. It is comprised of 24 clubs, all just one step away from making it into the Premier League. It is considered to be the richest non-top-flight football league in the world but revenues are still dwarfed by the Premier League. The top two teams in the league at the end of the season are automatically promoted, while third to sixth face each other in the play-offs with the Wembley winners securing the final promotion spot. That play-off final is often referred to as the richest match in the world due to the windfall that the Premier League provides to the promoted clubs.
It's a long, arduous season with 46 games played and possibly another three in the play-offs, two of which could go into extra-time. The three bottom teams end up being relegated to League One. The pride of the league combined with the financial incentive of promotion makes this league a bettor's delight. Between the quality of the football, the atmosphere in the stands and the passion of the players - what more could you ask for! Throughout the season, our team of betting experts will analyze the forthcoming fixtures and give their well-researched opinions on who are going to be the winners and the losers.
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THE ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP BETTING TIPS: 10 TOP STATISTICS TO KNOW
Below we've compiled some of the most important statistics that should aid you in your betting predictions. Note that the below figures are taken from the current 2023/24 Championship season:
- An average of 2.68 goals are scored in each match played in the Championship this season.
- If you like betting on the under/over 2.5 goals market, 52% of games this season have over 2.5 goals scored in them.
- 86% of Championship games this season have under 2.5 goals scored in the first half.
- 45% of games this season are won by the home team, 23% are drawn and 32% of matches end in an away win.
- The most common half-time scoreline this season is 0-0. That came up in 31% of matches, 13% higher than the next highest score which is 1-0 to the home side.
- The average number of goals scored by the home team this season is 1.48 and 1.20 for the away side.
- 54% of goals this season are scored in the second half.
- The most common final score this season is 1-1, coming up in 10.9% of matches.
- Both teams score in 52% of games.
- 23% of goals scored this season come after the 75th minute.
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CHAMPIONSHIP: OUR FREE ADVICE FOR THE 2023/24 SEASON
Our prediction: Leicester City to be crowned champions!
We have been with Leicester this season and the Foxes got the job done in the end but they made much harder work of it than seemed likely halfway through the season. Ipswich will join them in the Premier League next season, just a point behind the champions after only losing six games all season! The four teams to make the playoffs are Leeds, Southampton, West Brom and Norwich. League One football will be played next season by Birmingham, Huddersfield and Rotherham who were relegated.
Playoff Semi-finals (Two legs)
Norwich V Leeds
First leg: 12 May, 12:00 UK time
Second leg: 16 May, 20:00 UK time
Norwich will host Leeds in the first leg of their playoff matchup with Leeds the higher finishing team. Norwich has been strong at home this season but poor on the road so they will be looking to take a win to Elland Road. Both teams finished the season weakly with Leeds in contention for an automatic place for the entirety of the season.
West Brom V Southampton
First Leg: 12 May, 14:15 UK time
Second leg: 17 May, 20:00 UK time
Southampton has pole position in their tie with West Brom with the second leg at St Mary's. The Saints beat West Brom home and away in the regular season so are clear favourites for a trip to Wembley to take on the winner of the other tie. Southampton also beat Leeds in both matches this season and drew both against Norwich which makes them the team to beat in the playoffs.
Our prediction: Southampton win promotion!
Playoff Odds - To be promoted
- Southampton- 2.50
- Leeds United - 2.62
- Norwich- 6.00
- West Brom - 7.00
Odds taken from Bet365
2022/23 Season Recap
Winner: Burnley won the title last season and the other automatic promotion spot went to Sheffield United.
Play-offs: Luton Town won the play-offs, beating Coventry City in the final, The two semi-finalists were Middlesbrough and Sunderland.
Relegated: Reading, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic went down. Reading would have survived but for being deducted six points.
Promoted to the Championship: Plymouth Argyle, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday (play-off winners) won promotion to the Championship from League One.
