Advert
With the new Championship season just one week away, another fiercely competitive campaign awaits with a host of teams vying for promotion. The lucrative financial rewards make the quest for promotion all the more incentivised, although this year looks to be tougher than ever.
The arrival of Newcastle, Aston Villa and Norwich throw up a genuine conundrum for the promotion chasing pack. This series of previews will cover certain clubs where viable betting opportunities are worthy of a flutter.
Newcastle:
Advert
There is a palpable sense of optimism radiating around Newcastle as the season draws ever closer, fans are feeling upbeat and confident. Much of that optimism is testament to Rafa Benitez's decision to stay at the club despite dropping down a level.
The Newcastle hot-seat undoubtedly encompasses heaps of pressure and expectation from a fan base who show unwavering passion week-in, week-out. Rafa is the ideal candidate to cope with the strenuous demands of such a pressurised environment.
Advert
In terms of the football itself Newcastle possess the strongest set of players in the league, adapting to life back into the Championship could be potentially problematic though.
Tactically they will need to familiarise themselves with the stylistic differences between the Premier League and Championship, this may take a couple of months and lead to an indifferent spell of results.
Once Rafa has worked out his best team Newcastle should be well on course to mount a serious title challenge. Anything below a top two finish is surely unthinkable for the Toon Army.
Advert
Key departures: Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Papiss Cisse, Andros Townsend (previously on loan), Giorginio Wijnaldum, Moussa Sissoko (probable departure)
Key signings: Grant Hanley (CB - Blackburn), Jesus Gamez (FB - Atletico Madrid), Matz Sels (GK - Gent), Isaac Hayden (CB- Arsenal), Matt Richie (RM - Bournemouth), Dwight Gayle (CF - Crystal Palace)
Advert
The arrival of Matt Richie will add much needed creativity and guile from wide areas, while the astute addition of Dwight Gayle will add pace in behind and a goal-scoring instinct. Dwight Gayle is bookies favourite to be the Championship top scorer @ 8/1. With the likes of Shelvey and Mitrovic also amongst their ranks, Newcastle have proven Premier League quality at their disposal.
The Championship is an incredibly difficult league to win, but if Newcastle can garner a strong sense of momentum for a sustained period of the season, then they will be front-runners.
Recommended Bets:
- Newcastle To Win The League Outright @ 15/8
- Aleksandar Mitrovic Top Goalscorer @ 16/1
Huddersfield:
The Terriers boss David Wagner is building a long term project at Huddersfield, no doubt about it. After spending 4 years as head coach of Borussia Dortmund II, Wagner was appointed manager of Huddersfield last November.
Wagner has been a breath of fresh air in the British game, employing a high pressing style which has won many plaudits. With close ties to Jurgen Klopp it's conceivable that Wagner has learned a wealth of useful things to aid his managerial credentials.
With a full pre-season negotiated, there has been sufficient time to imprint and solidify his footballing identity and philosophies.
High fitness levels will be paramount to any success they achieve, a high intensity pressing game requires every player to pull his weight for the duration of 90 minutes. It's very unlikely that Huddersfield will become the finished article anytime soon, but they are a young exciting squad with room for growth and maturity.
David Wagner is adding a strong German influence to the squad with multiple Germanic players recruited this summer, their ability to adapt will be pivotal in creating the foundations for a successful campaign.
Key departures: Joel Lynch, Ishmael Miller, James Vaughan, Jordan Huwila
Key signings: Danny Ward (GK - Liverpool), Jake Coleman (GK - Oldham), Michael Hefele (CB - Dynamo Dresden), Christopher Schindler (CB - TSV 1860 Munich), Jon Stankovic (CB - Borussia Dortmund), Chris Lowe (FB - Kaiserslautern), Aaron Mooy (CM - Man City, loan), Jack Payne (CAM - Southend), Korey Palmer (CF - Chelsea), Elias Kachunga (CF - Ingolstadt)
Jack Payne is one of the higher profile signings of their transfer window, at just 21 years old and standing 5'5 tall, Payne is blessed with a natural ability to glide past tackles and take the game to the opposition, whether he can replicate his impressive form last season is another question altogether.
The permanent signature of Aaron Mooy is an excellent acquisition which will produce much pleasure for the fans, having spent time on loan with the Terriers last season.
Huddersfield are a side exhibiting pace, athleticism and technical ability, along with a well defined identity. Such facts make them worthy of a longshot bet at mounting a promotion challenge. Defensively there are many frailties that require ironing out, but with a plethora of new defensive arrivals there is cause for optimism and renewed hope.
Recommended Bets
- To Finish In The Top Half @ 5/4
- To Finish In The Play-Offs @ 11/2
Words by: David Huntingford
Featured Image Credit: