Ipswich stake early title claim with shock win against Boro
Published:Championship title favourites Middlesbrough got their season off to a false start, as they were beaten 3-1 at home by Ipswich.
A Scott McDonald tap-in gave Boro a 1-0 half-time lead, but Roy Keane’s side came roaring back with three second half goals to secure a surprise win.
Ipswich’s title odds have now been cut to 12/1, while pre-season favourites Boro have slipped from 6/1 back to 8/1.
Tommy Smith levelled for the Tractor Boys, and a minute later, a flying Tamas Priskin header gave them a 2-1 advantage.
A neat volley from substitute Jon Stead then sealed Ipswich’s victory, which sees them move up to third in the Championship table on the first weekend of the season.
Middlesbrough were not the only promotion candidates to slip up at home, as Bristol City crashed to a 3-0 defeat to newly promoted Millwall at Ashton Gate.
Goals from Darren Ward, Danny Schofield and Paul Robinson ensured that David James’ debut for the Robins was one to forget.
Steve Coppell’s Bristol City side had generated much support from bettors in pre-season, but this result suggests that the former Reading boss has a lot of work to do.
9/1 Championship title contenders Burnely began their quest for an immediate return to the Premier League with a 1-0 win over fellow promotion candidates Nottingham Forest.
New signing Chris Iwelumo’s first half header proved to be the winning goal, and the Clarets will be buoyed by their opening day win against a Forest side priced at 8/1 to win the Championship.
The team sitting at the summit of the Championship, however, is Neil Warnock’s QPR, who thumped Barnsley 4-0 at Loftus Road.
At 7/1, QPR are now the favourites to win the Championship title this season, and their rivals will have taken note of such a comprehensive first showing.
Who do you think will go up as champions? Hull beat Swansea 2-0 and they are 12/1 to win the title. See the full Championship 2010/11 Betting Odds market.
