ENGLISH CHAMPIONSHIP WINNER BETWEEN WOLVES AND BIRMINGHAM

With less than ten games remaining in the 2009 Championship season, the punters are deadlocked as to whether Wolves or Birmingham will top the 2nd tier, but there is no question that both teams will go on to achieve automatic promotion to the Premiership in the 2009/10 season. As it currently stands, Wolves and Birmingham are even on games with Wolves three points ahead in the table. Currently, the Betfair odds place Wolves as the 2.16 favourites to win the Championship while Birmingham sits at 3.65. These are very solid odds in Birmingham's favour if you think that Wolves will slip up at any time down the home stretch. Four points behind Birmingham (with a game in hand as well) is Reading who are looking to get back into the Premiership on their first crack at it. That is a massive game in hand, but making up a full seven points, game in hand or not, is a difficult task with so few games to play. Reading currently sit at 6.4 to win the Championship. In terms of outright promotion and relegation, there isn't much value to be had in terms of promotion as Wolves, Birmingham and Reading are listed at 1.27, 1.52 and 1.80 respectively. The real key here is avoiding that third place team as the lottery of the play-offs can occasionally see a 6th place team pipping the 3rd place side in the dying minutes of the play-off final. The most rewarding match in football can conjure up moments of magic and you don't want you money having to rely on a variable like that. Charlton Athletic look doomed for the drop with odds paying a mere 1.02 for them to be playing League 1 football next year. The once proud Southampton are also favourites for the drop with a payout at less than evens- 1.94. Norwich are listed at 2.34 and Nottingham Forest at 2.8. RECOMMENDATION:Winner: WolvesFor Promotion: Wolves (auto), Birmingham (auto), ReadingFor Relegation: Charlton, Southampton, Nottingham Forest