The 2025-26 EFL Championship season has some ways to go before it kicks off in August, with the teams still looking for ways to improve during the 2025 summer transfer window.
Despite that, we already know which teams are the main candidates to win the 2025-26 Championship, at least according to the bookmakers.
Here, we’ll be assessing the EFL Championship outright winner odds and providing regular updates.
Best EFL Championship outright winner odds
Ipswich 9/2 Southampton 11/2 Sheffield United 7/1 Birmingham 8/1 Coventry 11/1 Leicester 11/1 Middelsbrough 11/1 Norwich 15/1 Wrexham 15/1 West Brom 19/1
Ipswich Town – 9/2
Just like the other two teams that were promoted last season to the Premier League, Ipswich Town also got relegated after just one season in the top rank. However, unlike Southampton and Leicester, Ipswich stuck with their long-serving coach Kieran McKenna, which will provide them with more stability heading into the 2025-26 season.
That being said, Ipswich lost their top scorer from last season Liam Delap to Chelsea, so they'll have to work hard this summer to find a suitable replacement for him.
Still, the bookies see Ipswich as the main candidates to finish at the top of the Championship standings at the end of next season and we can certainly see that happening.
Southampton – 11/2
Even though they finished last season in the Premier League at the very bottom of the standings, with a mere 12 points won for the season, Southampton are the second favourite to win the Championship this season, according to the latest odds.
The Saints sacked two managers last season, but they signed Will Still to take the helm ahead of the 2025-26 season, which could be a great move given his experience in Ligue 1.
Southampton haven't been too active in the transfer window yet, signing Joshua Quarshie and selling Samuel Amo-Ameyaw to Strasbourg.
Sheffield United – 15/8
Definitely the best value choice to win the Championship title, the Blades are priced at a very tempting 7/1. After all, they were in a close race for the title last season, losing out to Leeds and Burnley in the final stretch of the season.
Yes, the Blades failed to get promotion through the playoffs in the end, which can be seen as a failure since they entered the playoffs 14 points ahead of the next best team in the standings Sunderland, a team that beat them in the final at Wembley despite trailing at half time.
In any case, Sheff Utd should once again be in the title race in the Championship and they are one of the main promotion candidates.
Who will win the EFL Championship in 2025/26? Here’s our prediction
Despite Ipswich being the main favourites, the Championship is often unpredictable and we just don't see the Tractor Boys running away with the title after losing their best player and scorer this summer.
On the other hand, we like Southampton's new manager and the Saints certainly have a quality squad for this level. So, we can see Will Still getting the best out of his new team and the EFL Championship trophy being lifted at St Mary's at the end of the 2025-26 season.
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.
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