EFL Championship Outright Betting Tips: Back Luton Town to go all the way

The Championship. The proclaimed best league in the world. With so much entertainment and unpredictably, it can so often be a landmine to navigate. Still, Matthew O’Regan is here with his league winners, promotion and top six best bets. 

To win the title

Luton shocked the nation by gaining promotion to the Premier League in 2023, completing their meteoric rise up the divisions. The Hatters took some flak for their recruitment policy once in the Premier League, seemingly building a team ready to compete at the top end of the Championship should they get relegated. Well, lo and behold, they are back in the Championship and look well prepared to mount a promotion push.

While there have been small murmurings of discontent at Luton’s lack of summer business, they have only lost Ross Barkley (Aston Villa) and Gabriel Osho (Auxerre) so far. Arsenal prodigy Reuell Walters and Brentford’s box-to-box midfielder Shandon Baptise are the two signed so far, with a smattering of signings expected later in the window. 

Unlike other clubs who have been relegated in the past, Luton have the luxury of continuity. So often, when teams are in a relegation battle in the Premier League and get relegated, the summer window ahead brings much upheaval, with players and managers departing, often leaving a scramble to sign players early.

Since Luton have had the same manager and core of players for a few years now, they are a well-oiled machine, so any player coming in will slot seamlessly into the system, meaning Mick Harford and the rest of the backroom staff can bide their time in the transfer window. 

Thomas Kaminski was signed last summer having accumulated over 115 appearances for Blackburn in a stellar three seasons. Teden Mengi, Mads Anderson and Reull Walters is a well-mixed back three that complement each other’s strengths. Alfie Doughty, who laid on eight assists last season, looks set to stay and will provide creativity on the flanks with Daiki Hashioka pushing the extremely rapid Chiedozie Ogbene for the starting berth on the right.

Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo, who both scored double digits in the Premier League last season, are a striker partnership that will dominate most defences. Joe Taylor is also thrown into the mix this season, after finishing as both Colchester and Lincoln’s top scorer last season. The 21-year-old is a livewire upfront and will be chomping at the bit to impress off the bench. 

Creativity further up the field comes from Tahith Chong who enjoyed a couple of great seasons for Birmingham, while Shandon Baptiste and Marvelous Nakamba provide bite and tenacity in the midfield. 

This is a well-balanced Luton side, with the bonus of continuity and forward planning on their side. While some teams may come out the blocks slow, Rob Edwards' side should start strongly and the talent they possess will be enough to push them over the finish line. 

Prediction: Luton to win the Championship @ 10.5

To get promoted

After losing to Luton in the 2022/2023 playoff final, Coventry fancied their chances of promotion last season. However, the Sky Blues stumbled to a ninth-place finish last season, with an FA Cup semi-final the highlight of the campaign. 

Like Luton though, Coventry are well versed for promotion due to the newfound stability at the club. Mark Robins has now been at the club for seven years and must feel promotion is close. 

Coventry are extremely savvy in the transfer market, receiving big fees for Gustavo Hamer and Viktor Gyökeres in recent years. While the loss of Callum O’Hare on a free to Sheffield United is sure to sting, their recruitment has looked as strong as ever this summer. 

Luis Binks signs on a permanent transfer from Bologna after promising signs on loan last campaign. The signing of goalkeeper Oliver Dovin from Swedish club Hammarby is another sign of their astute recruitment. The 22-year-old is one of the best goalkeepers in Sweden and excels with the ball at his feet – a perfect fit for Coventry’s style of play.

Jack Rudoni is a player with undoubted ability, perhaps failing to show it fully at Huddersfield due to the instability of playing under seven different managers. Brandon Thomas-Asante scored 11 goals in 31 West Brom games and perfectly complements the attacking options of Ellis Simms and Haji Wright who scored 13 and 16 league goals each respectively last term.

Ben Sheaf is the best midfielder in the league and will be partnered by Rudoni or Victor Torp, who has looked so impressive in his short spell at the Ricoh. Defensively, Bobby Thomas shone at centre back last season. Milan Van Ewijk is a fantastic right back who is sure to be one of the next big sales for Coventry. 

There is a lot to be excited about with this Coventry side. The continuance of years of progression should see them cause a few upsets and finish in the top two. 

Prediction: Coventry get promoted @ 4.8

Top 6

Leeds entered the 2023/2024 season with high expectations after relegation from the Premier League. Daniel Farke, who has experience with Championship promotion before, was hired as the new manager. 

The Whites had a team far too strong for the division, with Georginio Rutter, Cyrsencio Summerville, Wilfried Gnonto all staying, as well as numerous impressive signings. 

Still, they came up short, finishing third in the league before losing to Southampton in the play-off final. Despite losing Archie Gray and Cyrsencio Summerville for substantial fees, they are priced as 3.70 favourites for the title – a price I can’t get behind.

Despite the loss of the dynamic duo, Leeds are still well versed for a promotion push though. These two sales, as well as the departures of Glen Kamara and high earners such as Marc Roca, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch, should give Daniel Farke greater scope in the transfer market. 

Joe Rodon has signed permanently from Tottenham after an impressive loan spell, while marauding wing back Jayden Bogle signs from Yorkshire rivals Sheffield United. Joe Rothwell signs on loan from Bournemouth to replace the departed Kamara.

The Whites have a war chest to spend this window, as well as one of the strongest teams in the league. Wilfried Gnonto is an enigmatic talent, wanted by a host of top European clubs not so long ago. Georginio Rutter is also a player capable of playing higher up the leagues.

Leeds were the second best defensive side in the league last year, conceding just 43 goals and this defence puts them in good stead this season. Matteo Joseph is also expected to be The Whites main man upfront, so even more young talent is being added to the mix. 

However, with some Leeds fans unsure on Daniel Farke, he is under immense pressure to perform – a pressure Luton and Coventry perhaps do not have. We have seen so many times before how Leeds fare under pressure and this year could be the same, especially if Daniel Farke continues his pragmatism. 

Prediction: Leeds top 6 @ 1.25

Recommended Bets

Back Luton Town to win the title @ 10.5
Back Coventry City to be promoted @ 4.8
Back Leeds to finish in the top 6 @ 1.25