Ever since the Championship season kicked off, Wolverhampton Wanderers have been clear favourites for the title by some distance, surpassing all other sides’ chances of a top place finish.
It led to a large number of punters adding them into their football bet tips and predictions alongside other outright markets for the Premier League title, and top place finishes in both League One and League Two.
The odds have been changing as the term has gone on and, despite most regular football betting fans backing Wolves to complete their expected Championship title win, some have begun to get behind Fulham to make a shock move into the top spot. One site that keeps a close eye on the odds and how frequently they fluctuate is Oddschanger, who provide their own football bet tips and predictions for every major fixture and competition.
Top Six Finish
Since the January transfer window, which saw Fulham significantly reinforcing their starting eleven, far more punters started to back the Cottagers for a top place finish, and it’s certainly paid off in the form they’ve shown since that point. Just to remain in the top six ahead of all else will take some strength in itself, as it will need a side who can hold off Derby County, Middlesbrough, Bristol City and Preston North End, who are following closely behind.
Odds have changed on that market since that point, as has Fulham’s place in the table, with a top six finish now priced only as high as 1/20 for Slavisa Jokanovic’s side.
Top Two Finish
After the odds became less desirable for Fulham to clinch the top six finish that was practically handmade for them, many opted to back a top two finish instead, knowing full well that it’d mean them coming out on top in a battle with Cardiff City, Aston Villa, Derby County and Middlesbrough.
There’s just five points between Fulham in fourth and Cardiff City in second, so it’s a very plausible aim for them to see through, making the current 9/2 odds look appetising.
Win the Championship
In past seasons, the chances of winning the Championship would usually only consist of a few points here and there. This campaign has seen a very different reality for the extremely competitive sides outside of first and all the way down to tenth, who all stand a chance of making the top six, or even a late push into the top two.
Top place Wolves remain ahead by a six-point lead, with Cardiff City then following closely behind in second, and a span of twelve points between second and sixth. We’ve already stressed how Fulham would need five points to match the tally of the Bluebirds but to snatch the top spot, they’d need at least eleven points, and more than enough slip-ups from Nuno’s Wolves.
Recent form has seen Fulham unbeaten in their last ten and they look unlikely to slow any time soon. January signings included reliable right-back Cyrus Christie, promising Southampton left-back Matt Targett and unused Newcastle United striker Aleksandar Mitrovic, who’s been especially influential in netting five goals in his first five games.
If they continue in the same sort of trend they’re currently relishing, the 50/1 odds for them to win the league could end up being a sign that the bookies underestimated this season’s most enjoyable underdogs.