' Promotion Favourites '

' Cardiff's spending sees them installed as favourites: '

Cardiff City have been installed as number one favourites for a return to the Premier League following Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s summer spending spree.

Many Bluebirds fans believe the off the field turmoil will lead to their team missing out on an instant return to the top flight... with some even gloomily predicting a second successive relegation.

But Solskjaer’s impressive work in the transfer market has led to the men who know best – the bookmakers – confidently predicting Cardiff will win the Championship again and clinch promotion back into the big time.

According to William Hill, Cardiff are out on their own at 7-1 to top the league.

Next come Fulham and Wigan (each 8-1), Derby (9-1), Norwich (10-1) and then, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, Bournemouth at 14-1.

Blackpool (100-1), Millwall (80-1), Charlton and Birmingham (each 66-1) are dubbed the no-hopers of the division.

The odds on Cardiff have been reduced following early close-season moves by Solskjaer to bolster his squad.

Already the City manager has snapped up Federico Macheda from Manchester United, Javi Guerra, who fired16 goals in Spain’s La Liga last season, Reading’s Adam Le Fondre, plus goalscoring Austrian midfielder Guido Burgstaller.

Solskjaer says his captures are a statement of promotion intent from the Bluebirds and he still plans to strengthen further with acquisitions for his midfield and defence.

Although Solskjaer is resigned to losing Fraizer Campbell, Gary Medel and skipper Steven Caulker, his team will be bolstered further by the presence of Jordon Mutch, Craig Noone, Mats Moller Daehli and Fabio.

Cardiff’s huge £15million valuation on David Marshall also means they could keep hold of their highly-rated goalkeeper.

Arsenal are reported to have had a £6m bid for Marshall rebuffed by the Bluebirds.

The Gunners’ north London rivals Tottenham also want Marshall and are waiting to see what happens with Hugo Lloris when he returns from the World Cup.

Reads well.

We were favourites a few weeks back (I think Annis posted a thread about it).

The fact that this position has been consolidated can only be a good thing. Only 2 dangers are complacency and "giant slaying" by other clubs. Both of these will be dealt with by cool headed OGS in the dressing room and on the training field.

Bluebirds set to fly!!!

We can't really judge promotion credentials until the transfer window has closed. At this stage though I would make Norwich favorites to win the league, but a lot can change over the next 3 months.

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=142581 my name should be latest news 4 hours before you

Tan seems to have it all planned out we all no how hard it is to get out of this league.
If we fail to get promoted tan will be on the ropes big time to change us back to blue or sell up and leave.
Personally I would happily make the sacrifice of staying in the championship if that were to happen.
Tans going all out for promotion he needs it big time I dont so I hope we stay in the champ because then the tables will turn fan power will be overwhelming for tan then.

Thats my thoughts hope it happens that way one seasons sacrifice is fine for me to get my clubs identity back. Before anyone starts I really dont give a shit if you disagree.

we will be formidable this season

We have two of the best midfield players in the league Noone and dhaeli and Kadeem Harris is a huge dark horse if fit

we have the best keeper in the league
and we have the best striker in the league - Guerra

If only if it was that simple. I'd like to know where the preseason favorites have finished over the last few years.

If only if it was that simple. I'd like to know where the preseason favorites have finished over the last few years.

Indeed.

If only if it was that simple. I'd like to know where the preseason favorites have finished over the last few years.

Good post. I took Leicester at 12-1 at start of last season. Had ccfc at 14-1 previous year. Qpr were 7-2 at start of last season. Championship is hardest league to predict.

If only if it was that simple. I'd like to know where the preseason favorites have finished over the last few years.

Good post. I took Leicester at 12-1 at start of last season. Had ccfc at 14-1 previous year. Qpr were 7-2 at start of last season. Championship is hardest league to predict.

I've tried looking for the favorites to win the championship over the last 5 years and look for outsiders that have been promoted by 1st and 2nd place but eating my curry so shall look into it tomorrow and try and put up some statistics.

Never thought Burnley would be promoted in 2nd place, this league is so unpredictable and is the hardest to get out of.

If only if it was that simple. I'd like to know where the preseason favorites have finished over the last few years.

Where do you think we'll finish?

Best priced at 5/2 !!!!!! Thats bloody mental..

A new team, divided fanbase, half waiting to pounce on the owner whilst rattling around like a cock in a sock in an 33K stadium with one of the highest admission fees....... Time to be a layer I think.

We can't really judge promotion credentials until the transfer window has closed. At this stage though I would make Norwich favorites to win the league, but a lot can change over the next 3 months.

Why Norwich favourites? Who have they bought? I would have thought Fulham would be more hungry to return after the length of time they spent in the premiership it has to mean something more to them than Norwichs couple of seasons.
I have a feeling Wigan are going to boss the championship this year. I cannot say how well Cardiff will do. I thought we would finish at least 15th in the Prem so shows how wrong I was about both Cardiff Hull and Palace.
My Blonde head is spinning thinking about the season coming. What if we lose Mutch and Marshall? We dont know how well these new signings will perform or whether the phyciality of Championship will be shock to their system and get injured early on in the season. I just have the feeling come January window we will be desperate again for more signings to get a chance of jumping up from 12th to 6th to battle it out with Norwich Reading and Forest in the playoffs no doubt , while Fulham and Wigan get automatic promotion.

If only if it was that simple. I'd like to know where the preseason favorites have finished over the last few years.

Where do you think we'll finish?

If the season started tomorrow then I'd have Cardiff in the top six and have us relegated. I'll predict my finishes nearer the start of the season.

I fancy blackburn to win the league