Championship Antepost Update

After 11 games, the International break has given us a good opportunity to look through the Football League antepost opportunities.

We'll start with Brentford who look superb value at 2/1 with Bet Victor to finish in the top half. The Bees made a really slow start - collecting just one point from their first three matches. They are without a win at home after five attempts, but they have drawn four of those, and a further two away from home.

The draws have been the problem, but with the best shot ratio in the division there is clear evidence that results haven't quite matched performances yet, and we believe they should begin shooting up the table sooner rather than later. Despite their shocking start, they are only seven points behind the mid point and that's more than achievable.

3pts Brentford to finish in the top half at 2/1

Another side posting impressive numbers are Preston, but they have also been getting the results to match and sit what would have looked an unlikely 6th back in August. Alex Neil is doing a great job, and with just six goals conceded in their opening 11 matches he has an organised unit playing to their potential.

The one slight doubt about Preston is their squad size, which is a nagging concern for anyone thinking about backing them, but if they are still knocking on the door at Christmas they will surely look to strengthen for a run in, and have a good network for bringing in loanees.

Preston have every chance of maintaining their form, and the 8/1 available on them winning promotion is big enough to tempt us in, while we will also add in the 9/4 on them finishing in the Top 6 as some insurance.

1pt Preston to win Promotion at 8/1

1pt Preston to finish in the Top 6 at 9/4

Finally, Sunderland are in all heaps of trouble and it almost looks as if Simon Grayson is trying to take them down. The squad looks shell shocked and without any clear direction, and they wouldn't be the first big club to drop down to League One. Few would have predicted Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday or Blackburn's relegations and the early season numbers certainly lend credibility to anyone backing the Black Cats to go down.

With just seven points on the board, only Bolton have been less fruitful, and the 4/1 is simply too big in a battle like this. Of course there are other contenders to fill the bottom spots (Burton 8/15, Birmingham 3/1 and Barnsley 6/4) but the odds are appealing on Sunderland and that's how successful bets are considered.

1pt Sunderland to be relegated at 4/1

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