Sheffield Wednesday at 9/2, remain the bookies favourites to win the 2003/04 Nationwide Second title, with bookmakers William Hill.
Chris Turner’s men, who undoubtedly will play in the finest stadium in the division, coupled with a large vocal support find themselves playing at this level for the first time in 23 years.
Queens Park Rangers, who lost out to Cardiff City in the Nationwide Second Division Play-off final at the Millennium stadium in May, are also priced at 9/2, whilst Steve Coppell’s Brighton & Hove Albion, who won the title two years ago, but narrowly failed to avoid relegation from the Nationwide First Division last season, are rated a 6/1 chance to win the league and make an immediate return to the top two divisions.
Tranmere Rovers, whom the Bees visit on the season's opening day are an attractive looking 7/1, which looks especially good value when one considers the Birkenhead club's finish last campaign, undefeated in their final 15 games, a run that included ten victories.
The Bee Hive best value bet remains Steve McMahon’s Blackpool, who are currently a 25/1 chance.
Brentford are priced up at 40/1 and providing Bees’ manager, Wally Downes can purchase a few new faces before battle commences on August 9th, there maybe a few diehards who will still fancy a pound or two on the West Londoners.
Newcomers Rushden & Diamonds, for whom Brentford visit on September 13th for the first time in a competitive league fixture, are a 16/1 bet for the championship, whilst the other promoted sides, Wrexham, manager-less Hartlepool United and play-off winners, AFC Bournemouth are 25/1, 33/1 and 40/1 shots respectively.
Chesterfield, under new leadership in the form of Roy McFarland, and who narrowly avoided relegation to the Third division last season are the rank outsiders at 100/1.
Full List of prices supplied courtesy of William Hill.
Sheffield Wednesday | 9/2 |
Queens Park Rangers | 9/2 |
Brighton & Hove Albion | 6/1 |
Bristol City | 13/2 |
Tranmere Rovers | 7/1 |
Rushden & Diamonds | 16/1 |
Grimsby Town | 16/1 |
Plymouth Argyle | 20/1 |
Oldham Athletic | 22/1 |
Wrexham | 25/1 |
Swindon Town | 25/1 |
Luton Town | 25/1 |
Blackpool | 25/1 |
Barnsley | 25/1 |
Stockport County | 33/1 |
Port Vale | 33/1 |
Hartlepool United | 33/1 |
Peterborough United | 40/1 |
Notts County | 40/1 |
Brentford | 40/1 |
AFC Bournemouth | 40/1 |
Wycombe Wanderers | 50/1 |
Colchester United | 50/1 |
Chesterfield | 100/1 |