City seen as contenders

With the big kick-off in the Championship finally here, Coventry City are being seen as contenders to make the play-offs at least this season.

BBC Sport’s look at the new season concludes: ‘Boss Micky Adams has slowly but surely built a squad that can make an impact on the Championship promotion race.

A play-off place, at least, will see the Sky Blues maintain their progress.’

The Sporting Life’s betting experts meanwhile (http://www.bettingzone.co.uk/) advise an each way bet on City at odds of 20/1, saying: ‘Since the turn of the year Coventry have looked like a team on the up.

‘With a good squad and a top stadium in place, at 20/1 the Sky Blues might surprise a few people this season and could sneak a top-three finish.’

Birmingham City are most people’s tip for the title, while Southampton are also strongly fancied to do well after a very busy summer in the transfer market.