EFL Championship Best Bets & Parlay Picks For This Weekend (Aug 14-17)

The new club season gets underway in England this weekend, as the fascinating race for a place in next season’s Premier League begins. West Ham and Wolves will both be in action on the opening weekend, while a Welsh derby between Cardiff City and Wrexham rounds off MD1. You can find our best bets and our parlay picks for the EFL Championship this weekend here.

EFL Championship Parlay Picks

• Norwich City, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Wolves & Sheffield United all to Win (+2029)

Championship Best Bets For This Weekend

Wolves to Win vs. Blackburn Rovers

Wolves will have an immediate opportunity to put last season’s disappointing relegation behind them when they kick off the new Championship campaign at Molineux against Blackburn Rovers on Friday.

As one of the front-runners for promotion, the Wanderers have strengthened this summer, with high-quality signings such as Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier bringing Premier League quality to their squad. Blackburn could be an ideal opponent on the opening day, as they have failed to address the defensive issues that plagued their campaign last term. A home banker kicks off our EFL Championship parlay picks this weekend.

Middlesbrough to Win vs. Lincoln City

Newly promoted Lincoln City will be welcomed to the Championship by last season’s beaten playoff finalists Middlesbrough. Boro are an obvious contender when making Championship parlay bets, especially after spending big-money in their quest for promotion.

Will Lankshear brings a proven record at EFL level to the team, while MLS stars Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten are eye-catching arrivals. It is also worth noting Boro’s dominance at the Riverside, as they lost just five of their 24 home matches last term, averaging an impressive 1.42 goals per game, and keeping clean sheets in 42% of their fixtures.

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Sheffield United to Win vs. Birmingham City

There are few more challenging away days on the opening day of the season than a trip to Bramall Lane. Sheffield United will be hoping to make a fast start to the season under Chris Wilder, and momentum would have been gained following a dominant EFL Cup win last Sunday.

The Blades have avoided defeat in five of their last six against the Blues, which includes a comprehensive 3-0 win in this fixture last season. Birmingham may also need to grow into this season after another busy summer of transfer activity, meaning it is easy to see a home win as a likely outcome when assessing the best Championship bets this weekend.

Southampton to Win vs. Watford

All eyes will be on St. Mary’s this weekend, as Southampton bid to make a winning start to the campaign in their first fixture following the Spygate scandal. It is expected that Tonda Eckert’s team will be among the playoff contenders, and retaining the services of Cyle Larin and Daniel Peretz are big plusses.

The Saints landed a comfortable 2-0 win in the EFL Cup last weekend, and their prowess on the road was evident throughout last season after avoiding defeat in 17 of their 24. Watford remain in a period of transition, and their record at Vicarage Road last season saw them drop points in 56% of their fixtures.

Norwich to Win vs. West Brom

One of the most interesting opening day clashes in the EFL Championship will see two dark horses for promotion collide. However, Norwich’s form at the end of last season, coupled with a summer of major investment, should support their chances to open with a win.

West Brom have also invested heavily, but their youthful squad may need extra time to gel at this level. It is also worth noting that the Canaries have won their previous two against the Baggies, and they have avoided defeat in five of the previous six.

EFL Championship Parlay Picks

• Norwich City, Southampton, Middlesbrough, Wolves & Sheffield United all to Win (+2029)