Championship 22/23: Norwich favourites to bounce back, but don't rule out Blades

Unpredictable and ferocious

The beginning of the Championship season is barely three weeks away, with Huddersfield and Burnley beginning the campaign on July 29. 

The Championship is regarded as one of the most exciting leagues in Europe due to its unpredictability and the ferocity of the competition, though in recent seasons, the same clubs have typically yo-yoed between the Premier League and the second tier.

Will that be the case for relegated Watford, Norwich and Burnley, or are they destined to be sucked into the kind of decade-plus slog that Leeds had before returning to the elite? 

Bouncing back? 

It’s little surprise to the see two of the promoted teams among the favourites to win the title and secure immediate promotion back to the Premier League.

Indeed, Dean Smith’s Norwich are favourites at 6.4, despite finishing bottom of the top flight last season. The Canaries, though, should benefit from being the most stable of those teams to drop down. For the time being, their squad remains relatively untouched. 

Watford, meanwhile, are on offer at 8 but are notoriously volatile behind the scenes. They were the only Premier League side to sack two managers last season and Rob Edwards, a shock appointment from Forest Green, is their sixth boss in two years.

Emmanuel Dennis, Ismaila Sarr, Adam Masina and Danny Rose are all expected to leave the club before the start of the season. Between this and the constant uncertainty, it is hard to see them justifying their price. 

Burnley are also under new management in the form of Vincent Kompany and are on offer at 12.5. It was a left-field move for the Belgian to come to Turf Moor, where he has promised a pragmatic rather than spectacular approach.

It may be just what they need to get back into the top flight, but naturally Kompany’s lack of experience at this level is a cause of concern. Furthermore, the club’s new owner, ALK Capital, have made an uninspiring start to their tenure, with the decision to sack manager Sean Dyche last season highly controversial. 

Middlesbrough boss Chris Wilder has gained promotion to the Premier League with Sheffield United, and will be hoping to repeat the feat in the North East

Blades honed for title push

What of those who narrowly missed out last season? Huddersfield made a late charge to reach the playoff final but are expected to drop back into the pack, priced at 25 with a significant turnover of their squad expected. Similarly, Luton’s heroic run last season is not expected to be replicated, with the Hatters a 30 shot. 

More is expected of Sheffield United, who have made a couple of interesting additions in the form of Malmo defender Anel Ahmedhodzic and Manchester City midfielder Tommy Doyle, who joins on loan. Paul Heckingbottom worked wonders in the time he had with the club last season, and there is optimism that with a full campaign he can do even better. The Blades are priced at 12. 

The outsiders

There is still a feeling that WBA can bounce back to the Premier League, despite Steve Bruce’s disastrous start as manager last season. The former Newcastle boss won only six of 17 matches after taking over in February, which was a shocking record given the quality of the squad. Their price of 10 appears to be very short.

Middlesbrough are looking for a return to the Premier League after a five-year absence and only narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year. Chris Wilder has experience of winning promotion to the top flight previously and his side are on offer at 11. 

Newly-promoted Sunderland, meanwhile, are aiming to go straight through the league, but they have yet to significantly improve their squad and are outsiders at 28.

Recommended bet 

Norwich @ 6.4