*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
The EFL comes back all guns blazing this weekend with Huddersfield and Burnley firing the starting pistol on Friday night ahead of a jam-packed weekend of Championship, League One and League Two action.
Hope springs eternal but the age-old truth is that, for many fans, this is as good as it will get with the cold-hard reality of a long season of struggle settling in come 5pm on Saturday.
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Conversely, a handful of fans will be pleasantly surprised with what they see and the hope and expectation will go through the roof. Whatever emotion you’re left feeling at the final whistle, remember, there’s still 45 games to go.
But, before a ball is kicked is often the best time to strike in the outright markets and I’ve cast my eye over Paddy’s Championship, League One and League Two bets to try an unearth some prudent punts.
To Finish in the Championship Top 6: Sheffield United
Sheffield United came crashing back into the EFL with a bump last term, struggling badly in the early stages and needing six games to record their first league win before staging a strong revival which saw them charge into the playoffs. They finished 5th in the end, five points clear of Middlesbrough and secured their post-season place with three wins in their last three.
They should get off to a better start this time around, though they do have a fairly tricky start to the 2022/23 campaign which could go a long way to proving their credentials. Paul Heckingbottom has steadied the ship and Sheffield United should have a good chance of securing a top 6 finish again.
Teemu Pukki to be The Championship’s top scorer
Teemu Pukki looks a good bet to be The Championship’s top scorer. Norwich should continue their usual yo-yo trick and it would be a surprise if they were not right at the sharp end of the second tier come the end of the season.
The Fin will get loads of chances and in his last two seasons in The Championship he’s grabbed 29 and 26 goals respectively. There’s normally a surprise package or two but if you want consistency then Pukki’s your man.
To Be Promoted from League One: Derby
It will be fascinating to see how Derby go this year after their recent on and off field struggles. You’d be hard pushed to imagine any more possible turmoil than they’ve endured over the last few months with a new owner, manager and pretty much a whole new playing staff coming through the door.
However, the players they’ve brought in look to be proper top-end League One fare so if they can gel quickly I expect them to be a big player as the season rumbles on. Liam Rosenior’s stepped up to Wayne Rooney’s vacant hot seat on an interim basis and if he can harness the same spirit his former boss did then there’s a good chance Derby will get Promoted from League One at a nice price.
League One Top 6 finish: Wycombe
Another team that should give us a good run for our money is Wycombe. The Chairboys finished 6th last season and their no-nonsense style and unbreakable cohesion means they’ll be there or thereabouts come the 46th game. They’ve got a dream start and could lay down a marker with a really good points haul heading into September.
The talismanic Adebayo Akinfenwa has finally retired but he was firmly relegated to a super sub role so that won’t affect them too badly. If you’re looking for a solid bet in a world of unknowns then surely Wycombe to Finish in the League One Top 6 is it.
To be Promoted from League 2: Northampton
Northampton Town were unable to bounce straight back into League One last season, finishing 4th in the end, just missing out on automatic promotion following Bristol Rovers’ extremely questionable 7-0 final day win over relegated Scunthorpe who decided to field the Under 11s. They are still smarting from that and rightly so.
They’ll want to do it their way this time around and, with Paddy’s top-end League Two markets filled by the regularly failing money men and a newly-promoted side I think The Cobblers offer all kinds of value. This is a club that regularly finds it way out of the 4th tier one way or another and I think Northampton have nous to be promoted from League Two this time around.
The Wildcard – Ross Stewart Top Championship scorer
And for one at a bit of a price, Ross Stewart to be The Championship’s Top Scorer could be worth a go, certainly as an each-way play. The Sunderland hitman bagged 26 goals in 49 appearances in their League One promotion campaign last season and will be their undoubted focal point again this time around.
I think Sunderland will go quite well this season, they’re well set up and will have one of the better mid-table budgets in the league and literally everything goes through the ‘Loch Ness Drogba’. He might struggle to pip Pukki but Stewart has a good chance of being there or thereabouts.
EFL outright tips
Championship Top 6 Finish: Sheffield United
Top Championship scorer: Teemu Pukki
Top Championship scorer: Ross Stewart (each way)
To Be Promoted from League One: Derby
League One Top 6 finish: Wycombe
To be Promoted from League 2: Northampton
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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