History suggests Blackpool will finish season top of Championship
Published:Blackpool may have been seen more as relegation battlers over title challengers before the start of the season, but the fact that they lead the Championship standings after five games means there is a strong possibility they will remain in this position at the end of the campaign.
In five of the last nine seasons, and four of the most recent six, the team that has topped the second-tier standings after five fixtures have gone on to be crowned champions.
This fact alone must increase interest in the 18/1 that Blackpool return to the Premier League next season by virtue of winning the Championship.
Paul Ince has worked wonders in taking 13 points from a possible 15 to kick-off the campaign, given the lack of squad numbers at his disposal, with 16 players departing Bloomfield Road.
With star player Tom Ince also remaining at the club, despite reported transfer-window interest from the likes of Aston Villa and Liverpool, Blackpool’s chances of building on their strong start is improved.
The five-game point of the season has additionally proved a good time to identify which team will finish second in the final Championship standings, as five runners-up have occupied the same spot after this period in the last nine years.
This bodes well for QPR making an instant return to the Premier League and they can be backed at 10/11 to secure Championship promotion by any means.
Meanwhile, there have been four instances where the top two in the standings after five games have remained in these exact positions after 46 games.
Therefore, there may be some mileage in backing Blackpool to finish above QPR in a straight forecast to enhance profits.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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