Daniel Farke’s Whites could only manage a draw from Saturday’s first game of the new season at home to newly-promoted Portsmouth which ended in a 3-3 draw despite a dominant display from the hosts.
Leeds, though, remained comfortably clear favourites to win the division ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games which concluded with a massive opening clash between relegated pair Luton Town and Burnley at Kenilworth Road on Monday night.
All eyes were on the Hatters and Clarets upon their return to the second tier and Scott Parker’s Burnley side dazzled in recording an impressive 4-1 victory which Parker hailed as a “statement” win on a day when Ryan Lowe also departed his job as Preston North End boss my mutual consent.
Burnley had been almost twice the price of Leeds to win the title but that is no longer the case as part of big verdict changes at the top of the division. The top end of the Championship market was almost reformed after Burnley’s win and here is how the bookmakers now see the final table finishing based on the very latest odds.
20. 5th: Luton Town (play-offs)
Title odds: 16-1 (out from 12s).Relegation odds: 50-1. Photo: David Rogers
21. 4th: Sheffield United (play-offs)
Title odds: 12-1 (in from 16s).Relegation odds: 33-1. Photo: Nick Potts
22. 3rd: Middlesbrough (play-offs)
Title odds: 11-1 (in from 14s).Relegation odds: 66-1. Photo: Owen Humphreys
23. 2nd: Burnley (automatic promotion as runners-up)
Title odds: 9-2 (odds almost halved after Luton romp, in from 8-1 and now challenging Leeds for favouritism).Relegation odds: 100-1. Photo: David Rogers
24. 1st: Leeds United (promoted as champions)
Title odds: 3-1 (actually now shorter despite Burnley's win but with smaller gap as 'clear' favourites).Relegation odds: 150-1 Photo: Gary Oakley