Leeds United to smash it, West Brom backed, agony for…

Leeds United to smash it, West Brom backed, agony for Nottingham Forest and how punters rate Cardiff City and Swansea City's Championship chances

Norwich City, Sheffield United and Aston Villa earned promotion out of the Championship last season but the big question is who can replicate their success during the upcoming campaign?

With Cardiff City and Swansea City back in the same division for the first time in five years, there will be a bit of added spice during the campaign ahead.

But how do punters see things panning out?

Leeds United suffered an agonising defeat in the Championship play-offs last season but fans are confident of success this time around.

The Whites looked likely to earn automatic promotion last term but were edged out by Sheffield United, before Marcelo Bielsa’s men lost to Derby County in the play-offs.

However, that has not stopped the good feeling surrounding the new season for Leeds as fans get excited about what’s to come.

The latest betting on the winners of the Championship are a prime example of how ready for the season Leeds’ fans are, with over half of all stakes placed on the Whites.

A staggering 51.3% of all stakes on this year’s Championship winner favour Leeds, while the least popular side in the division is Wigan Athletic, who have been the subject of just £21 worth of bets on them topping the table come next May.

Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: “They came close last year and with Bielsa seemingly happy to stick around, punters reckon this’ll be the season Leeds finally top the table.”

Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa (PA)

West Bromwich Albion are the team who have been backed the second most, closely followed by the likes of Fulham, Cardiff City, Derby County and Middlesbrough.

Nottingham Forest and Stoke City are seventh and eighth respectively in the betting stakes, while Bristol City are tenth, Huddersfield back at 12 and Swansea in 13th. Birmingham City, meanwhile, are the 16th favourite to win the Championship according to bets placed.

Final Championship table according to bets placed

1. Leeds

2. WBA

3. Fulham

4. Cardiff

5. Derby

6. Middlesbrough

7. Nottingham Forest

8. Stoke

9. Sheffield Wednesday

10. Bristol City

11. Brentford