Leeds United have seen their Championship title odds lengthen since the weekend. The Whites saw their fixture list released for the new season on Thursday morning with an Elland Road opener against Cardiff City being scheduled for the opening weekend of August.
United have been handed a relatively kind start to life back in the second tier, with games against Birmingham City, West Brom, Ipswich Town and Sheffield Wednesday to follow and with their sights set on promotion, they’ll be keen to get points on the board early. However, Leeds have seen their title odds grow marginally in recent days with the Whites moving from 15/2 to 8/1 with bet365.
It’s only a small change, but Leeds are now level with Southampton and some way behind 5/1 favourites Leicester City in the bookmakers’ eyes. United remain at 2/1 to win promotion, which is short of the 6/4 Foxes once more.
Middlesbrough are the fourth favourites for the title at 10/1, while West Brom, Watford, Norwich City and Stoke City are all at 16/1.
Read more: Leeds United Championship fixtures 2023-24: Whites start at home to Cardiff City
Interestingly, though, Leeds have been handed the shortest odds to start the season with a win. Bet365 have United, who are still managerless, at 4/9 to claim three points on the opening weekend of the season over Cardiff.
“The Foxes have gone from winning the Premier League and the FA Cup to relegation in a short space of time,” bet365’s Steve Freeth said: “But they’ve employed a well-regarded manager in Enzo Maresca and he might be calling on his former club Manchester City for a few favours in the transfer market.
“If Leeds can keep the bulk of their squad together then they should be a force in the Championship this season. The manager is yet to be confirmed, but that’s not putting off bet365 customers.
“Russell Martin has arrived at Southampton with the remit of instant promotion. Much will be expected of the Saints, but they face a tricky start to the season.”
Championship outright odds, as per bet365
Leicester City: 5/1
Leeds United: 8/1
Southampton: 8/1
Middlesbrough: 10/1
West Brom: 16/1
Norwich City: 16/1
Watford: 16/1
Stoke City: 16/1
Ipswich Town: 20/1
Coventry City: 20/1
Sunderland: 20/1
Blackburn Rovers: 25/1
Millwall: 25/1
Swansea City: 25/1
Preston North End: 33/1
Hull City: 33/1
Sheffield Wednesday: 33/1
Bristol City: 40/1
Cardiff City: 40/1
Birmingham City: 50/1
Huddersfield Town: 50/1
QPR: 50/1
Rotherham United: 100/1
Plymouth Argyle: 100/1
Odds correct at time of writing
