The Championship: Final Day Betting

The Championship takes its final bow tomorrow with automatic promotion and play-off issues still to be decided. Here are the best odds on the market in the games that matter.

Southampton v Coventry:

The Saints are almost there - just 1/8 (bodog) shots to secure second spot and a return to the big time. On the face of it, their task couldn’t be simpler; win at home to already relegated Coventry and it won’t matter what West Ham do. They are 1/3 (WilliamHill) to do just that, but there could be a few nerves around St Mary’s Stadium.

Nigel Adkins’ side lost to Reading in their last home match and stumbled again at Middlesbrough a week ago, losing 2-1 having led on a day they could have gone up. With so much at stake could their be a final twist in the tale? Coventry are 10/1 (Skybet) to torment their hosts by leaving with all three points. The draw is 19/4 (BetVictor), and even that could open the door for the Hammers.

West Ham v Hull:

If Southampton lose, then a victory for Sam Allardyce’s side would send them up in second place instead. Perhaps slightly more conceivable, if the Saints draw then West Ham will probably need to win by a 3-goal margin to overhaul their rivals on goal-difference; the Londoners are 9/2 (bodog) to secure automatic promotion one way or another.

West Ham are 1/2 (Coral) to beat Hull at Upton Park, while both the draw 18/5 (BetVictor) and the away win (7/1 WilliamHill) would consign the hosts to the play-offs. If Southampton play out a low-scoring draw, then any 3-goal margin of victory could do the job for the Hammers; they are 7/2 (WilliamHill) to triumph by three or more.

The Tigers have conceded fewer goals than any other team in the Championship on their travels. But a disastrous run of five straight defeats from March into April effectively destroyed Hull’s play-off hopes which are now a mathematical impossibility. With their season ending in disappointment, will they even be competitive on Saturday? If you think not, then a potentially priceless 3-0 home victory is 10/1 with Coral.

Crystal Palace v Cardiff:

The battle to finish inside the top six has a similar scenario to the race above them. Cardiff City will only miss out on a play-off spot if they lose at Selhurst Park while Middlesbrough win at Watford. The bookies don’t foresee a dramatic turnaround, making the Bluebirds 11/10 (PaddyPower) to take three points.

Admittedly, Palace have been on pretty dreadful form as their season has petered out; seemingly they are just another team with nothing to play for. But it’s possible the bookmakers haven’t considered the fact that the Eagles may savour the chance for some Carling Cup semi-final revenge. Freedman’s team lost out to their Welsh visitors in a penalty shoot-out and that may provide ample incentive here. Palace are 31/10 (BetVictor) to take the spoils and throw the door open for Boro.

Watford v Middlesbrough:

Tony Mowbray’s side kept their faint promotion hopes alive with the late winner against Southampton. The calculations are pretty simple in this one given that Cardiff enjoy a far superior goal-difference. Boro are entirely dependent on events going their way at Selhurst Park, but they would never forgive themselves if they didn’t take advantage in that eventuality. The northerners are 6/4 (Boylesports) to triumph, with the Hornets at 19/10 (WilliamHill).