The 2025-26 Championship season finally got underway last weekend as the big-hitters in the second tier of English football attempted to make a fast start.
Newly-promoted Birmingham City and recently-relegated Ipswich Town kicked things off at St Andrew's, the two title contenders playing out a 1-1 draw with the visitors netting a last-gasp penalty to salvage a share of the spoils.
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:
Ipswich 11/8 2024-25 Southampton 13/8 2024-25 Sheffield United 2/1 2023-24 Birmingham 2/1 2010-11 Middlesbrough 9/2 2016-17 Coventry 9/2 2000-01 Leicester 9/2 2024-25 Norwich 11/2 2021-22 Wrexham 11/2 - West Brom 11/2 2020-21
A closer look at the top promotion candidates
Ipswich, Southampton, Leicester
Despite being two divisions apart last season, Ipswich would have been satisfied with earning a point at Blues, a team that did not lose a single league fixture at their home ground in 2024-25.
Southampton were also on their way to dropping points early on Saturday afternoon when they faced Wrexham. However, despite trailing heading into the closing stages of the match, a majestic free kick from Ryan Manning and a far-post finish from Jack Stephens in the 96th minute turned things around.
Leicester City also overturned a half-time deficit to get the better of relegation favourites Sheffield Wednesday as Marti Cifuentes started his reign with three points.
Sheffield United
While the aforementioned teams would have seen their betting odds stay the same or shorten, Sheffield United's would have only lengthened after they were thrashed 4-1 at Bramall Lane by Bristol City.
New head coach Ruben Selles attempted to make a point to his players by dressing-them-down on the pitch after the full-time whistle, but the Blades desperately need defensively reinforcements if they are to keep in the mix during the early weeks of the season.
Coventry
Meanwhile, Coventry City – another of the teams who reached the playoffs last season – could only play out a goalless draw against Hull City.
Frank Lampard would have been disappointed to drop points on home territory, yet it make only encourage the club's hierarchy to shell out on at least one more attacker before the end of the summer transfer window.
Surprise package for EFL Championship promotion possible?
Of the other teams that prevailed at the weekend, Stoke City's comeback 3-1 victory over Derby County caught the eye.
The Potters have made sweeping changes to their squad and the character shown in dispatching the Rams will only encourage Mark Robins.