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

The 2025/26 Championship season is now three games old and although it is still far too early to be able to call who is going to win the league and who is going down, there have already been some interesting results. 

It has been an alarming start for Ipswich, who have failed to win either of their opening three matches following relegation from the Premier League last season. On the flip side, it has been an unexpectedly brilliant start for Stoke, who are just one of two teams to have a 100% record.

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

Ipswich have picked up just two points from their opening three matches, but they remain one of the favourites for promotion due to their deep squad and the quality of their manager. In fairness to them, they have faced Birmingham and Southampton so far, which is far from an easy start.

Southampton are on four points after three games, while Leicester are on six points. Interestingly, none of the three relegated teams from the Premier League are in the top six of the Championship table after the opening three games, which suggests that we could see a very competitive race for the promotion places come the end of the 2025/26 campaign.

Sheffield United

While the aforementioned teams have seen their betting odds stay the same or shorten, Sheffield United's have lengthened after they were thrashed 4-1 at Bramall Lane by Bristol City on the opening day and then beaten again twice as they currently sit at the bottom of the Championship table with no points from their opening three games.

New head coach Ruben Selles is already under huge pressure, and he desperately needs defensive reinforcements if they are to stay in the mix during the early weeks of the season. Luckily for the manager, there is still a week of the summer transfer window left to try and bring in some new recruits to Bramall Lane.

Coventry

Meanwhile, Coventry – another of the teams that reached the play-offs last season – have already played in two match of the season contenders. After drawing their opening match 0-0, the Sky Blues went away to Derby County and won 5-3, and then thrashed QPR 7-1 at home.

Frank Lampard did an excellent job last season and will now be keen to push them one step further to promotion. They will surely be aiming to finish in at least the play-off places again come May, and judging by their early season form, the Sky Blues will certainly be difficult to stop.

Surprise package for EFL Championship promotion possible?

Stoke are worth keeping an eye on after winning each of their first three matches of the season. Their opening day comeback win over Derby was particularly impressive, and Mark Robins has form for overachieving at this level.

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