As each week passes, the EFL Championship promotion odds chop and change. This provides opportunities to back some dark horses or shoot for the favourites throughout the season.
Speaking of which, we’ve provided our thoughts on who will achieve that goal. All will be revealed here, but to start with, here are the main contenders to reach the Promised Land next spring, and the longest odds currently against them.
Contents
Best EFL Championship promotion odds – top 10 favourites
For clarity, the odds for EFL Championship promotion are totally different from the EFL Championship winner odds. Of course, these describe two different markets, as three teams gain promotion while only one will win the league.
| Team | Odds | Last PL / 1st Div campaign |
|---|---|---|
| Leeds |
1/5 |
2022/23 |
| Sheffield United |
11/10 |
2023/24 |
| Middlesbrough |
11/8 |
2016/17 |
| Sunderland |
11/8 |
2016/17 |
| Burnley |
9/4 |
2023/24 |
| West Brom |
4/1 |
2020/21 |
| Millwall |
10/1 |
1988/89 |
| Watford |
16/1 |
2021/22 |
| Coventry City |
20/1 |
2000/01 |
| Bristol City |
20/1 |
1980/81 |
Main contenders
Leeds
Leeds avenged their disappointing 1-0 defeat to Millwall last time out with a resounding 2-0 win over relegation battling QPR. Goals from Jaden Bogle and Joel Piroe proved to be the difference for the Whites, who are now priced at 1/5 for promotion. Leeds appear nailed on for bookies, despite not currently occupying an automatic promotion spot. Daniel Farke's team are two points behind second place Sheffield United, but have still only lost two games all season. If they can keep up this rich vein of form, it will be really tricky to keep Leeds out of the top two spots.
Sunderland
Bookmakers are not convinced that newfound table-toppers Sunderland will consolidate their early season form and return to the top flight for the first time in eight years. Le Bris' side are fourth favourites at the minute, being priced at 11/8 by odds providers. This may be a good time to back the Black Cats, as they are the league's top scorers with 25 goals and are eight games unbeaten. However, fans may be slightly worried by the club having drawn the last three games in a row. A win is needed to reaffirm their hopes of a top two finish.
Sheffield United
Elsewhere, the league's second best defence in Sheffield United proved steadfast again this week as they overturned Sheffield Wednseday 1-0 to silence their bitter rivals in the Steel City derby. Fans are confident of a return to the Premier League for the Blades, and their odds shortened to 11/10 after their most recent victory. However, no strangers to the difficulties of the Championship, their good form cannot slip for a second if they are to keep the pressure on rivals Leeds and Sunderland, who have been in fine form themselves. Exquisite performances from top players Gustavo Hamer, Ollie Arblaster and Tyrese Campbell with be crucial for Chris Wilder's side.
Middlesbrough
Quietly making themselves known to the bookies are Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough. Boasting the league's highest xG with 28.0, odds providers currently price them at 11/8 to secure promotion back to the Premier League. Middlesbrough have finally started to make all of their chances count in recent weeks, demolishing Luton 5-1 after comprehensively seeing off QPR with a 4-1 scoreline. Now 7th in the table and one point off the playoffs, their new eye for goal could see Boro give themselves an excellent chance to return to the Premier League.
Outside picks
Other teams with drifting chances of promotion include West Brom and Blackburn. However, Luton are perhaps the most prominent underachievers right now. They sit in 21st place with only four wins from 15 games.
In turn, Rob Edwards is arguably the most under-pressure manager in the league right now, and his side’s odds of promotion have lengthened drastically after the Hatters started the season as a popular pick for promotion.
It currently appears unlikely that they will achieve the expectations set out at the start of 2024/25, with an astounding change in fortunes needed almost immediately if they are to revive their promotion hopes.
Our verdict on EFL Championship promotion
Leeds and Sunderland are the obvious picks to fill the top two automatic promotion spots. However, there may be opportunities to specifically wager on both of those teams going up automatically, which offers a greater potential reward.
And going even more niche, you may even have the chance to select the specific order in which they will finish (Sunderland 1st, Leeds 2nd or vice-versa).
As for the third promoted side, it's an exciting melting pot, and will be for many weeks yet. Even those not in the top 10 of expected promotion contenders still have a chance, and we've seen many teams start miserably in previous years, only to end up getting a top-six finish.
If you want an early pick to join Leeds and Sunderland in the 2025/26 Premier League though, our money is still on Middlesbrough.
Lifelong Ipswich Town supporter who recently graduated from Durham University in French and German. Have developed a passion for European football based on my links abroad and am an avid supporter of Werder Bremen and Auxerre. Joined the MFT team in October 2024 and looking to take my first steps into the world of football journalism.
