The Championship

The 2011/12 Championship season kicks off tonight, with Hull facing relegated Blackpool in the opener. The prompt TacticalBet to ask the question of who will get promotion, and who will slip into League One come May next year.

Leicester and West Ham are the two main favourites to gain promotion, at 2.1 and 2.4 respectively. Both sides have made radical changes over the close season, Leicester splashing big on the likes of Matt Mills, Gelson Fernandes, Dave Nugent and Paul Konchesky, with West Ham under new boss Sam Allardyce recruiting a guard of ex Bolton stars, Faye and Taylor, alongside Kevin Nolan. Our tip would be the Hammers to secure promotion.

Other tips for sides who could find the top 6, try Blackpool at 3.4. They've re-shaped their side cleverly and have kept manager Ian Holloway, could be a real threat this season. Aside from that, Brighton could be dark-horses to follow in Norwich's footsteps the previous season, under hugely talented manager Gus Poyet, and they're at 2.52. Other options could include Ipswich, or Southampton, both at 2.7.

Relegation wise, Peterborough are placed at 3's to go straight back down, and they've often flicked between these divisions. Birmingham? Financially troubled, no huge signings to date, and losses of Foster, McFadden, Parnaby, Ferguson and Gardener, they could be heading straight back down at 7's.

Top goalscorer? Shane Long is prolific at this level, with a haul of over 20 last year, so he's the main man at 12.5. Other smart tips could include Kenny Miller at Cardiff, he's at 16, or Michael Chopra after his recent move to Ipswich, at 13.5.

Whatever happens, it's sure to be another classic season in England's second division, and make sure you're there to follow in tonight on either our Twitter and Facebook pages, or live on Sky Sports 1 from 7-30! For clips of last year's action, kits and stadiums of the coming season, just check out our 'Video Gallery' on the right hand side of your screen. Thanks for reading.