Saturday 9 August marks the return of the Coca-Cola Championship and with some great teams in the division this year, it is easy to see why this is one of the most eagerly anticipated football league's for a long time. Betting opportunities will be plentiful and with leading online bookmakers Betfair and Skybet offering free bets, there is no better time to get in on the action.

Amongst the favourites for promotion to the Premiership are Birmingham City, Derby County and Reading, all of whom were relegated from England’s top flight last season. Crystal Palace, Watford and Bristol City should all be there or thereabouts come the final day, after all missing out in the playoffs last term.

Early indications suggest that Blackpool, Burnley, Barnsley and newly promoted Doncaster Rovers will be at the other end of the table trying to avoid relegation to League One. Other new comers, Swansea City and Nottingham Forest are expected to hold their own in the Coca Cola Championship, coming off the back of brilliant seasons in their promotion year.

Betfair and Skybet are giving away free bets, with market leading odds, that can be used throughout the 2008/2009 Championship season. The free bets can be placed on individual games that take place, who will be promoted or relegated, who will finish as top scorer or which team will win the league to name just a few of the betting options available.