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 |
4/5 |
2023/24 |
| Burnley |
6/4 |
2023/24 |
| Middlesbrough |
8/5 |
2016/17 |
| Sunderland |
2/1 |
2016/17 |
| West Brom |
11/2 |
2020/21 |
| Blackburn |
14/1 |
2011/12 |
| Millwall |
16/1 |
1988/89 |
| Norwich City |
16/1 |
2021/22 |
| Watford |
19/1 |
2021/22 |
Main contenders
Leeds
It was a disappointing weekend for Daniel Farke's Whites, who were unable to consolidate their recent good form, as Leeds fell to a 1-0 defeat to Blackburn Rovers.
This ended a spell of three wins on the bounce for Leeds, who had been building momentum and managed to reach the top of the table last week.
Leeds' scoring has been impressive this season, as they have managed 31 goals in 18 matches, contributing heavily to their dominance.
Despite finding themselves in third place, bookies view them as comfortably the team with the most likely shot at promotion, as they sit only three points behind top-of-the-table Sheffield United.
They are priced at 1/5 to return to the Premier League come the end of the season.
Sunderland
After a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United saw Sunderland move down to fourth in the table, bookies have become less than convinced about the Black Cats' promotion prospects.
Winless in the last six games, it has been a rather catastrophic downturn in form for Regis Le Bris' side, who had previously topped the Championship table.
Now priced at 2/1, some may argue that they would be a good outside punt.
However, when considering the club's current form, this prospect could be difficult to stomach for some people. Sunderland will need to regain their early season form quickly if they are to continue to mount a genuine promotion push.
Sheffield United
The Blades were finally rewarded for their efforts this weekend as they moved to first in the Championship table, after earning a hard-fought three points against Sunderland.
Chris Wilder's team have been in fine form recently, winning six of their last seven games.
Their defensive prowess has been the most notable feature of their lossless streak, and they have still only succumbed to two defeats this season.
At 4/5, Sheffield United seem a solid choice to gain promotion back to the big time.
Middlesbrough
Announcing themselves as potential contenders in recent weeks, Michael Carrick's Middlesbrough have shown their quality in their last few outings.
18 goals scored in their last five games is an absolutely ludicrous return, and bookies now have Boro priced at 8/5 to be promoted back to the promised land.
Carrick's men had shown a lot of potential, racking up the league's highest xG with 33.2, but had failed to capitalise on their chances, being profligate in front of goal.
However, they have truly turned this around in recent weeks, and are proving to fans why they should be taken seriously in the promotion battle.
A 3-1 win over Hull City was the side's most recent victory, and they have since moved to within six points of the automatic promotion spots.
Outside picks
Other teams with drifting chances of promotion include West Brom and Blackburn. However, Luton are perhaps the most prominent underachievers right now.
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.
