EFL betting news & odds: Fulham and Cardiff lose Sky Bet Championship openers

Relegated duo Fulham and Cardiff are on the drift for promotion from the Sky Bet Championship after suffering defeats to Barnsley and Wigan in a frustrating opening weekend for title hopefuls in the Football League.

The Cottagers are out to 9-4 with bet365 to return to the Premier League after a 1-0 loss at Oakwell, while the Bluebirds are 7-2 with the same firm having been edged 3-2 in a thriller away to the Latics.

The results have prompted support for market leaders Leeds United, who are 6-4 for promotion, and start their campaign with a visit to Bristol City on Sunday.

Charlton stunned Blackburn 2-1 upon their return to the second division thanks to an improvised finish from Lyle Taylor while fellow relegation candidates Millwall, Birmingham and QPR all registered maximum points.

The story was much the same in the lower divisions as the two teams at the head of the betting for the Sky Bet League One title failed to get wins on the board.

Sunderland came from behind to draw 1-1 with Oxford while Portsmouth had a man sent off as they fell to a 1-0 defeat away to Shrewsbury.

Ipswich, meanwhile, have been trimmed to 6-1 to finish top of the pile after kicking off their campaign with a 1-0 win at Burton but Peterborough are as big as 4-1 for promotion after failing to justify favouritism at home to Fleetwood.

Plymouth were the standout side in Sky Bet League Two as they marked their return to the fourth tier with a 3-0 thumping of Crewe while promoted outfits Salford and Leyton Orient also opened their accounts with wins.

Ryan Christie hit a hat-trick as Celtic started their pursuit of a ninth successive Ladbrokes Premiership title with a 7-0 mauling of St Johnstone and they are 13-2 to complete the domestic treble.

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