Wigan remain Championship relegation candidates but bookies' odds drift for Preston North End and Blackpool
By Dan Black
Published 11th Aug 2022, 07:00 GMT
Despite an unbeaten start to life back in the Championship, newcomers Wigan Athletic are still expected to be battling against relegation come the end of the season.
That’s according to the bookmakers, who seemingly weren’t convinced by the Latics’ point-winning performance against former title favourites Norwich City at Carrow Road.
Leam Richardson’s League One winners picked up another point on the opening day of the season when holding Preston North End to a goal-less draw at the DW Stadium.
The Lilywhites, meanwhile, have also made an unbeaten start to the campaign, backing up their point in Greater Manchester with another at home to Hull City at the weekend.
Ryan Lowe’s side are still without a win, or even a goal, in the league so far this season, but broke their duck in the Carabao Cup with an impressive 4-1 win away at Huddersfield Town to progress to the second round.
Lancashire rivals Blackpool, on the other hand, currently sit comfortably in mid-table on three points after getting their season off to the perfect start by beating Reading 1-0 at Bloomfield Road, though they lost at the hands of Stoke City at the weekend.
Here’s the division’s revised complexion, in reverse order, according to Sky Bet.
The Lilywhites, meanwhile, have also made an unbeaten start to the campaign, backing up their point in Greater Manchester with another at home to Hull City at the weekend.
. ACCRINGTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Leam Richardson, Interim Manager of Wigan Athletic looks on as he makes his way across the pitch at the end of the first half during the Sky Bet League One match between Accrington Stanley and Wigan Athletic at The Crown Ground on March 20, 2021 in Accrington, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
ACCRINGTON, ENGLAND - MARCH 20: Leam Richardson, Interim Manager of Wigan Athletic looks on as he makes his way across the pitch at the end of the first half during the Sky Bet League One match between Accrington Stanley and Wigan Athletic at The Crown Ground on March 20, 2021 in Accrington, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images) Photo: Lewis Storey
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: João Pedro of Watford gets past Jake Livermore of West Brom during the Sky Bet Championship between West Bromwich Albion and Watford at The Hawthorns on August 08, 2022 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Photo: Gareth Copley
WATFORD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 01: Rhian Brewster of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship between Watford and Sheffield United at Vicarage Road on August 1, 2022 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images) Photo: Marc Atkins
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Conor Townsend of West Brom gets past Tom Cleverley and Hassane Kamara of Watford during the Sky Bet Championship between West Bromwich Albion and Watford at The Hawthorns on August 08, 2022 in West Bromwich, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Photo: Gareth Copley
Norwich City's Todd Cantwell (left) and Wigan Athletic's Max Power battle for the ball during the Sky Bet Championship match at Carrow Road, Norwich. Picture date: Saturday August 6, 2022. PA Photo: Joe Giddens/PA Wire. Photo: Joe Giddens
Middlesbrough's Darragh Lenihan protests against Queens Park Rangers second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road, London. Picture date: Saturday August 6, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER QPR. Photo credit should read: Rhianna Chadwick/PA Wire. Photo: Rhianna Chadwick
Burnley's Josh Brownhill celebrates scoring his side's first goal
The EFL Sky Bet Championship - Burnley v Luton Town - Saturday 6th August 2022 - Turf Moor - Burnley Photo: CameraSport - Alex Dodd
Blackburn Rovers' Lewis Travis (centre) celebrates scoring his side's third goal with team-mates
The EFL Sky Bet Championship - Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers - Saturday 6th August 2022 - Liberty Stadium - Swansea Photo: CameraSport -
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Benik Afobe of Millwall is challenged by Anel Ahmedhodzic of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Millwall at Bramall Lane on August 06, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images) Photo: Cameron Smith
Middlesbrough's Darragh Lenihan protests against Queens Park Rangers second goal during the Sky Bet Championship match at Loftus Road, London. Picture date: Saturday August 6, 2022. PA Photo. See PA story SOCCER QPR. Photo credit should read: Rhianna Chadwick/PA Wire. Photo: Rhianna Chadwick
Burnley's Josh Brownhill celebrates scoring his side's first goal
The EFL Sky Bet Championship - Burnley v Luton Town - Saturday 6th August 2022 - Turf Moor - Burnley Photo: CameraSport - Alex Dodd
Blackburn Rovers' Lewis Travis (centre) celebrates scoring his side's third goal with team-mates
The EFL Sky Bet Championship - Swansea City v Blackburn Rovers - Saturday 6th August 2022 - Liberty Stadium - Swansea Photo: CameraSport -
SHEFFIELD, ENGLAND - AUGUST 06: Benik Afobe of Millwall is challenged by Anel Ahmedhodzic of Sheffield United during the Sky Bet Championship match between Sheffield United and Millwall at Bramall Lane on August 06, 2022 in Sheffield, England. (Photo by Cameron Smith/Getty Images) Photo: Cameron Smith