Bielsa stays on for another crack at promotion
Fulham look for quick return to EPL
New WBA boss Bilic are third-favorites
Leeds United will be hoping to celebrate their centenary season by finally returning to the English Premier League at the end of the forthcoming campaign.
The sleeping giants who were once European Cup finalists suffered major heartbreak when they missed out on promotion by losing in the playoff semifinal last May.
But they are favorites to lift the EFL Championship title in the coming campaign at +400.
EFL Championship 2019-20 Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Leeds United | +400 |
| Fulham | +700 |
| West Bromich Albion | +900 |
| Cardiff City | +1000 |
| Stoke City | +1200 |
| Middlesbrough | +1400 |
| Derby County | +1400 |
| Brentford | +1800 |
| Huddersfield Town | +1800 |
| Nottingham Forest | +2000 |
*Odds taken at 2019/07/24.
The newly-relegated Fulham and West Bromwich Albion – also beaten playoff semifinalists last season – are then best-priced for a quick return to the top flight.
London’s Fulham are +700 while WBA are +900. Cardiff City, with promotion-specialist manager Neil Warnock in charge, are rated at +1000. Stoke City are +1200 with Middlesbrough and Derby County at +1400.
Coach Delivers Boost
Much of the optimism surrounding Leeds – who were founded in 1919 – is based on the fact that highly-rated Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa has decided to remain at the club.
The 62-year-old considered quitting because he was so distraught by the failure last May to secure the club’s return to the EPL after a 15-year absence.
Leeds looked nailed on for an automatic promotion place.
Between late November and mid-February, they were never out of the leading pair.
The squad has been strengthened by the loan signings of Portuguese winger Helder Costa from Wolves and defender Ben White from Brighton and Hove Albion.
Promising young winger Jack Clarke was sold to Tottenham but has immediately been loaned back to Leeds.
Fulham’s one-season stay in the EPL was calamitous despite a major spending spree last summer.
They have been buoyed by the signing of a five-year contract extension by star Serbian striker Alexandr Mitrovic, who scored 11 EPL goals last season despite relegation.
Impressive Loan Arrivals
French winger Anthony Knockaert has been signed on loan from Brighton as Parker seeks to make Fulham an attacking force as powerful as they were when they were promoted from the Championship in 2017-18.
Portuguese forward Ivan Cavaleiro has been signed for a second season on loan from Wolves.
However, the £27 million Ivorian midfielder Jean Michel Seri has departed on loan to Galatasaray after failing to impress at Craven Cottage last season.
Middlesbrough – who just missed last season’s top six – have a rookie boss in former player Jonathan Woodgate,
There have been no major signings and the new coach will have to improve the team’s form at home after they took just 36 points there last season.
Pick: Fulham +700