Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa
Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa

Sky Bet Championship: The market movers from pre-season to present day


The Sky Bet Championship season is 12 games old and we evaluate some of the key movers in the main betting markets.


Winner

Leeds United were available at a biggest price of 20/1 in the summer to wrap up the league title, but a strong start under Marcelo Bielsa's guidance sees them move into 4/1 second-favourites.

The Whites have 23 points from their 12 games so far, two points off Sheffield United in first. They have occupied top spot at various points and have secured impressive victories over Stoke and Derby already, who both had promotion aspirations of their own.

West Brom are the new favourites for the trophy having been available at 15/2 going into their opener against Bolton.

Darren Moore's side are the division's top scorers with 31 so far, nine clear of Leeds who have 22. That means they also boast the best goal difference of +14 which could be crucial in the final weeks.

Sheffield United's current position in first sees them shortened drastically as they aim to avoid a repeat of last season that saw them fall away completely.

The Blades were available at 28/1 in late July, but now sit at 5/1 which is slightly ahead of Middlesbrough at 11/2.

Sky Bet football trader Jack Abbott also said that: "Stoke went into the season favourites for the league at 5/1. However following a number of poor performances, they have now drifted to 28/1.

"Swansea were among the favourites for the league at 11/1. They now find themselves at 66/1 following a poor start."

Current odds

  • West Brom - 2/1
  • Leeds - 4/1
  • Sheffield United - 5/1
  • Middlesbrough - 11/2
  • Brentford - 15/2

Head here to bet


Top goalscorer

Benik Afobe celebrates after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday
Benik Afobe celebrates after scoring against Sheffield Wednesday

Sky Bet's Jack Abbott outlines some of the major movers for the top goalscorer accolade:

"Benik Afobe was the favourite for the top scorer market prior to the season at 8/1. However, following Stoke’s and his average at best form at the start of the season he is now 33/1 to be top scorer.

"Dwight Gayle signed for West Brom a few games into the season, however has hit the ground running and is 3/1 joint favourite having been as big as 16/1.

"Alongside Gayle at the top of the betting is the current top scorer Neal Maupay who leads a frontline of the attack minded Brentford. He is now 3/1 having been 25/1 pre-season and has scored 10 in 10.

"Another one who is at the front of the betting is Billy Sharp (16/1). He found minutes hard to come by at the start of the season but has hit a purple patch with 4 goals in his last 4. Sharp was 50/1 at the start of the season."

Current odds

  • Dwight Gayle - 3/1
  • Neal Maupay - 3/1
  • Jay Rodriguez - 6/1
  • Billy Sharp - 16/1
  • Britt Assombalonga - 16/1
  • Bradley Dack - 20/1

Head here to bet


Promotion

Leeds and West Brom's promotion odds have shortened to match their outright winners tag. West Brom are now 8/11 (from 10/3) and Leeds 5/4 (from a huge 13/2 following the conclusion of last season's play-off final).

Stoke's poor start has seen them move the other way, sitting as 13/2 chances from 13/8 before the season got underway. The Potters sit in 14th in the Championship standings, three points adrift of the top-six.

Nottingham Forest have had issues turning one point into three as they have seven draws from their 12 games, although they do find themselves in 5th after hitting good form.

Aitor Karanka's men were available at 3/1, but now sit as 7/1 outsiders.

Brentford are another side who have seen their odds shorten, with 11/2 available in the summer. Their eye-catching style of football alongside the ability to pick up points means that they are now 15/8.

Current odds

  • West Brom - 8/11
  • Leeds - 5/4
  • Middlesbrough - 11/8
  • Sheffield Utd - 6/4
  • Brentford - 15/8

Head here to bet


Relegation

Paul Hurst was appointed Ipswich boss this summer
Ipswich boss Paul Hurst

Reading are one side backed for the drop after their tough start. They sit on nine points, with goal difference keeping them above Preston and Ipswich.

They were available at 9/2 in the weeks leading up to the season, but now sit at 6/4 to be relegated into Sky Bet League One in May.

Ipswich are another side looking to keep themselves in the second tier and are still adjusting to Paul Hurst's new style of management after Mick McCarthy's extended spell in charge of the club.

The start of July saw the Tractor Boys at 11/4 for relegation, although they now sit 11/10 having dropped into odds-on recently.

Sky Bet's Jack Abbott also stated: "Preston were a team who some tipped as dark horses for promotion, however their poor start has seen them shorten to 13/2 from a high of 18/1 at one point to be relegated.

"Hull City sit bottom of the league. They are 13/8 to be relegated from 4/1 pre-season."

Current odds

  • Rotherham - 4/6
  • Ipswich - 11/10
  • Bolton - 11/8
  • Reading - 6/4
  • Hull - 13/8
  • Millwall - 4/1
  • Preston - 13/2

Head here to bet


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Latest odds correct as of 1240 BST on 10/10/18

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