Odds against Reds winning place back in Premier League

THE excitement, tension and dejection of Championship football returns on Saturday, August 7 and clubs are already beginning their preparations ahead of the new campaign.

Nottingham Forest are expecting a busy summer after 12 first-team players departed the City Ground. The club is yet to make any recruitments to their playing staff, while the arrival of Barnsley’s CEO Dane Murphy is in the pipeline.

Forest’s potential appointment of one of the brains behind Barnsley’s recent resurgence shows the club is taking a different direction off the field in an attempt to change their fortunes on it.

Chris Hughton’s men finished 17th last season, after being predicted to challenge for promotion, and with significant improvements to their squad, are expected to be at least fighting for the play-offs.

Skybet and several other betting markets have already published their betting odds for next season. Relegated Fulham (11/2), West Brom (6/1) and Sheffield United (8/1) are the front runners to win the title, according to Skybet.

After the disaster that unfolded last season, Forest shouldn’t be put in the same bracket as title winners, and Skybet sees them as 18/1 long shots to achieve that feat.