The Sky Bet Championship gets underway this evening with Blackburn and Cardiff kicking off the new season in which Cardiff look a good bet to get the season off to a winning start at 21/10.
Looking at the outright betting for the division and seeing favourites Cardiff priced up at 7/1 proves just how difficult and competitive it is.
Derby have secured the services of Steve McClaren (until 2017 and he undoubtedly made a big difference when coming in last season, so maybe they are value at 8/1, but Nottingham Forest look the pick at 5/1 to be promoted back to the Premier League next May, while don't rule out Ipswich at 15/2 to be there or thereabouts in the shake up for promotion.
Championship Outright Betting
Cardiff 7/1
Derby 8/1
Norwich 9/1
Fulham 9/1
Wigan 9/1
Watford 14/1
Middlesbrough 14/1
Nottingham Forest 14/1
16/1 Bar
To Be Promoted
Cardiff 9/4
Derby 3/1
Norwich 3/1
Wigan 3/1
Fulham 3/1
Reading 5/1
Brighton 5/1
Nottingham Forest 5/1
Watford 5/1
Middlesbrough 6/1
13/2 Bar