Middlesbrough remain strong favourites to bounce back from last season’s relegation from the Premier League and return to the top-flight next term; cut to 5/1 from 6s favourite for the Championship title after a comfortable 1-0 defeat of Sheffield United.

A first-half header from Rudy Gestede was enough to see Garry Monk’s side to victory, but there was a lot to like about Boro’s performance and they remain the 15/8 co-favourites of three for promotion alongside Wolves and Fulham.

Championship Outright prices from BetVictor

Boro 5/1; Wolves 6/1; Fulham 6/1; Hull 10/1; Aston Villa 10/1; Sheff Wed 14/1; Derby 14/1; Sunderland 16/1; 25/1 bar

Sunderland were cut to 16/1 from 20s for the Title after beating Norwich 3-1 at Carrow Road.

Lewis Grabban fired the Black Cats to glory, scoring either side of half-time and is now 16/1 from 25s with BetVictor to be the Championship’s leading goalscorer this season.

Sunderland are now 9/2 to bounce back to the Premier League but face a test of their promotion credentials when travelling to Hillsborough in midweek; Sunderland 3/1 with BetVictor in South Yorkshire, Sheffield Wednesday even money favourites and the draw 12/5.

Newcastle, meanwhile, were cut to 9/4 from 4s for the drop after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Spurs. Boss Rafa Benitez has implored the St James’ hierarchy to make further signings during the final two weeks of the summer transfer window, and this defeat may be the spark that sees Mike Ashley get his chequebook out.

Jonjo Shelvey will miss three matches for his straight red card, which will leave a massive hole in the middle of Newcastle’s midfield.

The Magpies travel to Huddersfield Town at the weekend; the Terriers 11/8 to follow-up their 3-0 opening defeat of Crystal Palace; the Magpies 11/5 and 23/10 the draw.

Hartlepool fell to a second defeat of the season and are yet to win from their opening three games in the National League since relegation from the Football League.

A 2-1 loss at one of the relegation favourites, Maidenhead, means Pools have drifted to 16/1 for the title after been as short as 8/1 during the summer. They have shortened to 8/1 from 16/1 to finish in the bottom four.

For all the latest odds head to BetVictor.com

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