Across the Divisions… Who’s in Pole Position?

We’re coming into a crucial stage of the season – here is our view on the main challengers in each of the four divisions…

Premier League

Like the thoroughbreds they are (apart from Nani) Man Utd are cruising away at the top of the Premiership. They currently have a two point lead over Liverpool, which will be extended to five after their inevitable win over Fulham on Wednesday. The red half of Merseyside are closer than they’ve ever been, but with only one (decent) striker, unrest on the contractual front, unrest in the boardroom, and the pressure they will undoubtedly feel at the sharp end of the season, this season is too early for them. Chelsea will be ten points behind Utd after Wednesday’s game (assuming Utd win) which even at this stage seems too much. Villa make up the top four, and although they’re having a sensational season, they just can’t win it (can they?). Arsenal look to now be out of the running, fifteen points back in fifth place. Remember, though, how comfortable Chelsea looked earlier in the season – and remember, also, that anything can happen…

Current Odds:

Man Utd  -  1/4
Liverpool -  6/1
Chelsea   -  20/1
Villa        -  33/1
Arsenal   -  50/1

The Championship

Wolves sit atop the table despite recent stutters; they’ve only won one of their last nine. However, by winning games in hand, any one (or all) of Birmingham, Reading, and Cardiff can go ahead of Mick McCarthy’s side. Swansea are also careering up the table like a steam train, undefeated in thirteen, and now only three points off the playoffs. Burnley’s excellent season sees them sit 8th, just behind Bristol City, with the top eight completed by Preston in 4th and Sheffield Utd in 6th. Any one of those nine teams, with a Swansea-esque run, could gain automatic promotion – and even challenge for the title. Reading are favourites – but don’t rule anyone out.

Reading        -  11/8
Wolves         -  2/1
Birmingham  -  9/2
Cardiff         -  10/1
Swansea      -   66/1

League 1

Leicester are the runaway leaders, with a six point gap to Roberto Di Matteo’s MK Dons in second. There is then a further seven points to Peterborough in third, where everything is super-congested around the play-off places. Realistically, only Leicester and MK Dons look capable of taking the title (famous last words) but who will get the final promotion spot via the play-offs is anyone’s guess.

Leicester         -  1/4
MK Dons         -  6/1
Peterborough  -  28/1
Scunthorpe     -  33/1
Millwall           -  40/1

League Two

It’s tight at the top of League Two, with Brentford opening up a three point gap after victory over early eason pacesetters Wycombe at the weekend. Wycombe do have two games in hand, however, and if they can snap out of their recent abject form they can retake top spot. Bury sit third, tied on points, with Rochdale and Bradford two points behind them and Exter one point, Shrewsbury two points, and Dagenham and Redbridge and and Darlington four points behind. Gillingham are a further point behind in tenth – then there is an eight point gap to 11th. At this stage of the season it looks like the winners and indeed play-off contenders will all come from the current top ten – but don’t rule out someone making a late push (come on Swindon!). Rochdale are our tip, in great form recently, they’re closing fast on the leaders.

Wycombe   -  3/1
Brentford   -  7/2
Rochdale   -  8/1
Bradford   -  8/1
Darlington -  8/1