Championship 2026-27: Betting Predictions, Top Scorer, 1-24, and Odds

We are back for another season of predictions! The best place to start is the Championship, which I think is probably one of the best leagues in the world. I'd even be tempted to say it might be the best.

Last season, we had a pretty rough time, getting 3/14 predictions right. However, we had a good season overall, with 38% of our outright predictions coming in and we are going to rejig things a little this year.

Instead of betting on promotion for all of the play-off contenders, we are going to look at the 'Top X market', simply for a bit more value. Of course, we will also stick with the 1-24 (and hope we do a bit better this time!).

Before we get into it, I will start (and repeat throughout) that the Championship is so difficult to predict, but I'm going to do my best anyway. I have reviewed the statistics, teams, and transfers, and I think I've compiled a decent list of odds.

The Championship always has a few shocks for us, so this year will probably be no different.

It is also important to note that all predictions are made with the current state of teams and potential arrivals/departures.

Who Will Win the Championship Title?

Picking a winner of the Championship feels like it gets tougher every year. Look at last year: Ipswich Town could have been a shoo-in pick, but a poor start derailed any chance they ever really had.

Yet, that would be ignoring Coventry's fantastic season and I don't want to do that...

Nevertheless, I think it's between two teams here - maybe three - and it's the two major drops from the Premier League in West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers.

However, I'm edging towards the Hammers.

Keeping Nuno Espirito Santos is HUGE and me putting that in capitals with bold on doesn't do it justice. He's been in the division before and done it, and whilst there have been changes in the Championship since, it means a helluva lot.

Then, there has not been too much turnover in the squad. Of course, the losses of Crysencio Summerville and Matheus Fernandes will be felt. Then, Taty Castellanos is likely to depart, too.

Past that, though, they've got a fantastic core of players who are above the Championship. Importantly, they also have a bit of cash to play with this summer in the case that anyone else leaves.

There's experience, young blood and quality throughout. With a fanbase that will demand an instant return to the Premier League, this should be a season stop in the second tier.

Oh, and they kept Jarrod Bowen. Nuno has already coached probably the best Championship player of all time in Ruben Neves; now he's going to do it again with Bowen, hopefully achieving the same outcome.

There can be no denying that Wolves have already recruited well and I think there will probably be a bit more to come for them to properly establish themselves as a title challenger.

Yet, I'm not as sold. Changes have been more frequent and the decision to step away from Rob Edwards was a strange one. I think they'll still challenge.

However, I think it's West Ham's title to lose, as the winner odds also suggest.

Who Will Gain Promotion From the Championship?

We could be in a position where my two title contenders are in the play-off race and vice versa. Like I say, it's tough to call, especially at the top.

Now, we're changing this section - as mentioned earlier - to focus on their top 8 prices. I'll mention their promotion price too, but it'll be a focus on their play-off price.

Now, top 8, play-offs? What?

Well, if you missed the news, the Championship will now have a six-team play-off structure. Fifth will play eighth and sixth will play seventh.

The winner of those games, in that order, will play fourth and third, in a standard play-off manner. Confusing? Maybe. Entertaining? Definitely.

Sitting in third, I've got Middlesbrough and this is who I think could also challenge for a spot in the automatics. I've been quite confident about them in recent years and here we go again.

Nevertheless, I just cannot see a reason not to think highly about them. Yes, they've lost Hayden Hackney, but they remain a fantastic team with a great core.

Investment has been high again and the signing of Will Lankshear is really promising, but more on that later.

The signs were there last season and I think those foundations will only have gotten stronger in pre-season. It could be another strong season on Teesside for the Boro.

For what it's worth, 4/1 with Betway for them to get promoted doesn't look terrible.

Next up, I've got Bristol City and I understand why there may be a bit of scepticism about this pick. However, I think the Robins can certainly aim high.

The appointment of Michael Skubala is a big one, especially after his work with Lincoln last season. However, he has taken a major step forward here.

With a big budget available to him, he has already begun to build a nice squad - on top of the players he inherited - as shown with the signings of Lorent Tolaj, Lisav Naif Eissat, Sam Tickle and Sam Greenwood, among others.

I think they are in a great position and the 3/1 price for them to get a top 8 spot looks generous.

Burnley feel like an obvious pick here, considering everything. However, it is largely dependent on the rest of their summer window.

After all, they have a few potential outgoings and that could massively affect their squad.

As it stands, though, I think they will just be outside of the title race this season. I like the appointment of Nicky Hayen - who impressed in Belgium recently - and there is a base for success there.

I just worry about how the potential outgoings will affect them.

Norwich have seemed to get the backing of everyone ahead of this season and it's difficult to oppose that at this moment in time.

There has not been much business done this summer, but there hasn't really needed to be any. Indeed, they ended the season fantastically and Phillipe Clement has got them playing some fantastic football.

Inheriting the team on Matchday 16 in 23rd, he managed to steer his side to a ninth-place finish. A fantastic turnaround and with a full season to operate, you'd think highly of their chances.

Sitting seventh, I've got Southampton and I was largely on the fence about them. However, I just think they'll have too much quality.

Tonda Eckert is certainly not the most popular man in the EFL, but he remains a fantastic coach and him staying at the club is a major statement.

Additionally, the window has been really solid. Keeping Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin is huge, whilst the addition of Lewis Dobbin looks a major coup.

We cannot ignore the obvious elephant in the room, though. They start this season with a -4 points tally and that could be a problem. Yet, the squad just looks too good to make that a non-issue.

Aiming higher could certainly be on the cards for them, but 4/5 looks a nice enough price for me to focus on them here.

Finally, I'm going for another of their play-off threats last season in Millwall and they are perhaps the nicest price of the lot at 9/5 for a top 8 spot.

Yes, last year's third-place team are 9/5 to finish in the play-offs again.

They have recruited fantastically so far this season, adding quality from Europe in Mathis Servais and Taïryk Arconte. However, the additions of Elkan Baggott and Kyrell Lisbie also fill me with confidence.

Alex Neil - as shown last season - is a fantastic coach and whilst it might not be the most attractive football in the league, it is among the most effective.

I cannot believe the price they are at, so I'm happy to back them here.

Outside Shouts

Whilst I've not backed them, I think Derby could well put up a fight for a Top Eight spot, especially with the signing of Bobby Clark. Then, I don't mind Swansea either, who have recruited really well, but we'll discuss them more later.

Who Will Be Relegated From the Championship?

Now that we have looked at the top, it's time to look towards the bottom and unfortunately, there are no really bold calls coming from me here.

Starting at the bottom, I've got Lincoln City, who I have real fear for this season. Last season, they were superb and that cannot be denied.

However, they have lost Michael Skubala and that instantly sets them up for problems, I feel. Replacing him with joint head coaches, as well, feels like a difficult product to sell, really.

Recruitment-wise, there has been little done so far. The Imps have never been the biggest spenders and they could get eaten alive in the Championship financially.

It's no surprise they're the favourites to go down.

Then, I have Charlton Athletic. The Addicks really struggled in the second half of last season and I can only see that extending into this season.

Indeed, only six wins in 2026 say a lot about the quality of their squad and signings so far have not inspired me to think that they will be avoiding a relegation battle.

Again, it isn't really a surprise that they are sitting in the position of second favourites to go down this season.

Finally, I think we'll see two of the promoted sides going down, and I think Bolton Wanderers will be heading back to League One in May.

After a fantastic season, there could be a platform to take off from. However, you can argue that their squad has gotten worse so far this window.

Having lost Amario Cozier-Duberry, Mason Burstow and Johnny Kenny, there is a substantial drop in their output from last season. Indeed, that trio got 45 contributions between them last season, which was more than 60% of last season's goals.

There are suggestions that Kenny could return, but he was the least important of the three last season. So, I don't think his impact would be enough.

Steven Schumacher is a great coach, but I think you'd be pinning too much hope on him right now...

Outside Shouts

Outside of that trio, I think Preston North End could struggle this season and they are backable around 4/1 with the best football bookmakers this summer.

There is a real lack of goals in their squad and there have been few improvements made to the team this summer.

Then, I think Watford could perhaps be a bit of a rogue shout for relegation. I won't be backing it, but I have fears for their safety candidacy with new coach Alessio Dionisi, who struggled massively in Italy.

Who Will Be the Championship’s Top Scorer?

The top scorer picture in the Championship is not the easiest to unravel. Indeed, there are quite a few easy picks that could be made at the top of the market, as the odds suggest.

However, I'm going to take a little look at the each-way markets instead.

To start, my main pick here is Will Lankshear for Middlesbrough. The young striker has already been put forward into the 'Who Follows Harry Kane' conversation and a strong season could certainly get him on his way.

Boro lacked a clinical striker last season, and with Lankshear scoring 11 goals from 11 xG with Oxford, he is the right man to make the difference.

In a team that'll create chances regularly, he could score for fun and that's why I think 14/1 is a great price for him each-way.

Then, I'd also be interested in Zian Flemming's odds. At the time of writing, he is backable at 25/1, which just looks too big in a side that should attack with aggression.

The price is certainly being dictated by his potential move away from Turf Moor, and I'd be wary. However, if he's still with the Clarets closer to the start of the season, I'd potentially be considering a little Each-Way prod, too.