The Coca-Cola Championship 2006/2007 Season preview

The kick-off to the 2006/2007 season is imminent and while all eyes are understandably on the Premiership, the Coca-Cola Championship is shaping up well and should produce its fair share of fireworks. Heading the betting to win the league are those recently relegated from the Premiership - Birmingham, West Brom and Sunderland - but in recent seasons it appears to have become harder for the demoted clubs to bounce straight back into the top flight. Obviously, this has much to do with the fact that key players of the relegated clubs often jump ship immediately to an established Premiership side, and understandably so. One of those hardest hit by this type of defection will be Birmingham following Jermaine Penant's £6.7million move to Liverpool. However, the Blues still possess enough strength in depth to make a real impact even without their most creative source, and it's no surprise to see that the Midlands-based club are generally favourites to be crowned Champions. They are a top-priced 11/2 but as short as 7/2 with bet365. But you always have to consider the psychological ramifications that are part and parcel of being relegated. Although the clubs that felt the drop do possess the requisite strength in depth to bounce back, and have had plenty of time to get their heads around it, I still think that they are potentially vulnerable, especially Sunderland, a side that must have lost the will to live during their plight in the Premiership last season. I am inclined to look elsewhere for the value, as I'd rather be backing a team on an upward curve, rather than one on a downward spiral. As such, the 18/1 on offer with totesport about Preston makes huge appeal as a value each-way punt. The Lilywhites enjoyed a cracking campaign last season and while they were no match for the rampant Reading and Sheffield United, Paul Simpson's charges failed by a whisker to reach a podium spot in the Championship, finishing just a solitary point adrift of Watford. In addition, the Deepdale outfit boasted the best defensive record in last season's Championship - conceding fewer goals than any of their rivals - and it was only runaway winners Reading that tasted defeat on fewer occasions in the league, the Berkshire side tasting defeat just twice, while Preston were beaten half-a-dozen times. The main area in which Preston need to improve is goalscoring. They scored a total of 58 goals in 46 matches in the Championship last season, which equates to an average of just over 1.2 goals per game. Compare this to those that finished above them in the league last season - Reading (99 goals, over 2.1 per game), Sheffield United (76, over 1.6 per game) and Watford (77, nearly 1.7 per game) - and that is why they are not playing in the top flight this season. However, it's the only reason that they are not playing in the Premiership this season, as otherwise they were solid. Home form is crucial to winning any league, just look at Chelsea's dominance in the Premiership, and it's their form at Stamford Bridge which really sets them apart. Preston drew too many of their home games last term, admittedly, but they lost just two of their fixtures at Deepdale, a record bettered only by Reading. As much as Birmingham and West Brom will be forces to be reckoned with - and Leeds are a team rediscovering their stride - I can't see any Championship side being anywhere near as dominant as Reading were last season. Therefore, it's wide open, and Preston have solid claims. In terms of the goal shortage, the likes of Danny Dichio and youngster Garry Hibbert both joined the club halfway through last year, so both can be expected to make far greater impacts this season, while Brett Ormerod, who joined on a free in January following loans spells at Leeds and Wigan respectively, will add depth to North End's attacking ranks, which already feature Andy Smith, Dave Nugent and Patrick Agyemang. Both Leeds and Crystal Palace were let down by their away form last season, losing seven and nine times respectively in 23 matches on rival soil in the Championship, plus the uncertainty lingering over Leeds' manager, Kevin Blackwell, certainly isn't going to aid the case of the Yorkshire club, who are a best-priced 11/1 with Premier Bet to emerge on top at the end of the season. Of the remaining teams, Norwich, Southampton and Wolves all merit respect, and it wouldn't be remotely surprising to see either of that trio of clubs vying for a Play-Off spot come next May. However, there is plenty of cause for optimism for those taking the 18/1 about Preston, given how solid the Lancashire side are at the back and now that some of their strikers will have had time to settle into the club and gel with the other players. Preston could well be north of the table at the end. 1pt e/w Preston @ 18/1 (1/4 odds 1,2,3) with totesport