Cardiff and Leeds to provide opening day Championship value

A new era begins for Cardiff City as they host the first Football League game of the new season on August 17, priced at a tempting 4/5 to beat Huddersfield.

Cardiff have had an eventful summer to say the least, during which a rebranding of the club from the ‘Bluebirds’ to the ‘Red Dragons’ has caused much controversy.

Players and fans alike will be delighted to get back to business on the pitch though, and the fact that they have not lost an opening-day Championship fixture in four years bodes well for the Welsh outfit.

They have won three of these last four opening outings too, while it should also be noted that in eight seasons of the Championship in its current format, Cardiff have a 100 per cent home record against the side promoted via the League One play-offs.

Such a statistic doesn’t bode well for 13/5 Huddersfield, who were eventually bested 5-3 at the Cardiff City Stadium in a League Cup tie last season.

That said, the Terriers did force extra-time in that match, and are 13/5 to claim a draw in 90 minutes this season.

Elsewhere, Leeds look very well-priced to beat recently-relegated Wolves at Elland Road on August 18, as 11/8 shots.

The side that has finished rock bottom of the Premier League the previous year has not won their opening Championship game in the past four seasons, and that trend can continue as Wolves come to terms with the management style of new boss Stale Solbakken.

Also, Wolves have failed to win their past five curtain raisers as a Championship outfit, though some may side with them claiming a point as they have done in three of these matches at 11/5.

It is 8/5 about an away win for the Molineux side meanwhile, but with a squad still being chopped and changed regularly, and more exits expected, that may prove a bridge too far.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.