EFL Championship promotion odds and prediction: Good value on the Foxes?

We are nearing the start of the 2025-26 Championship season, scheduled for August. Meanwhile, the teams are busy signing new players as they try to take full advantage of the summer transfer window to get ready for the new season.

As usual, there will be an interesting battle for promotion to the Premier League and in this article, we will take a closer look at the main candidates for promotion based on the latest Championship promotion odds.

Best EFL Championship promotion odds

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 can win the league.

In any case, here are the latest Championship promotion odds:

A closer look at the top promotion candidates

Ipswich, Southampton, Leicester

While the top two favourites to earn promotion from the Championship next season are two teams that were relegated from the Premier League, Ipswich and Southampton, the bookies don't see Leicester being on that level. Still, they are one of the candidates, as is commonly the case with freshly relegated teams.

While Leicester ended the last season in the Premier League as the best of the three relegated teams, they seem to have financial problems that could affect their ability to battle for promotion this season. They also just decided to sack Ruud van Nistelrooy, but they should sign Sean Dyche, who is a manager with plenty of experience.

All in all, if we had to choose one of these three teams as our favourite to earn promotion, it would be Southampton, who signed a young and talented manager with Ligue 1 experience Will Still, which could be the difference maker.

Sheffield United

As one of the teams that were in the race for direction promotion until the final few rounds of this Championship season, Sheffield United have entered the playoffs as the main favourites to secure promotion and after their dominant display against Bristol City in the semi-finals and a 6-0 aggregate win over them, the Blades were favoured to beat Sunderland in the final as well.

However, despite taking the lead at Wembley, Sheffield Utd couldn't hold on to it and they conceded two goals in the second half, including the winner in the stoppage time, which ended their promotion hopes.

Still, given their performances this season, Sheff Utd have to be one of the main candidates for promotion next season and the bookies agree with this.

Wrexham

One of the most interesting names on the list of top promotion candidates are the Welsh side Wrexham, who earned back-to-back-to-back promotions, going from the National League to the Championship in record fashion. Given the high profile of their owners, well-known actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, this wasn't really a big surprise, but their next task will be the toughest one yet.

The bookies aren't ruling out Wrexham reaching the top flight for the first time in the team's history, but it's hard to see them go all the way to the Premier League from the National League without a hiccup along the way. Still, it is an engaging story and if you're at all invested in it, backing Wrexham to earn promotion can make things even more interesting for you.

Birmingham

Another candidate for promotion to the Premier League who played in League One last season are Birmingham. While earning back-to-back promotions at this level is extremely difficult and rare, Birmingham have been dominant last season, winning League One with 111 points, which is the world record for most points in any league in a single season.

So, keep an eye on Blues in the 2025-26 Championship season since they certainly have the quality to be in the mix for promotion.

Our verdict on the EFL Championship promotion

As always in the Championship, there are some surprises when it comes to the battle for the top and promotion.

That being said, the relegated teams often have the advantage and manage to get right back, so it's clear why Ipswich and Southampton are the main favourites for promotion. As we said above, Southampton would be our main favourites.

However, the third relegated team, Leicester City, perhaps offer the best value for money since they're only the seventh favourite based on the current Championship promotion odds.

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