Latest Championship Odds: Relegated Teams Fail to Take Off

The first week of the 2026/27 Championship season has now been and gone. So, that means we can look back on the table and odds as they are, and see what the market is saying about Matchday 1. Let's dive in!

A Rude Welcome Back for the Relegated Sides

It's the first weekend of the Championship, so we can't take too much from anything happening. However, there were certainly a few shocks in the second tier this week.

West Ham Open with Premier League Draw

Drawing a fellow relegated side in the opening weekend isn't the best for anyone. However, West Ham had a lovely trip to Burnley scheduled for them.

Taking a 2-0 lead at one point, you'd think that they would have the game wrapped up. After all, they are the favourites to be promoted to the Premier League this season.

However, a late brace from Zian Flemming pulled back a point for the Clarets on home turf. It's a disappointing one for the Hammers, especially considering they were ahead so comfortable.

Nevertheless, a point away to Burnley on Matchday One isn't the worst result...

Wolves Salvage Late Point

For Wolves, the story was much different. Drawn in Friday night's opener against Blackburn, most expected a three-point start, especially after they took the lead inside 20 minutes. Yet, it wasn't to be.

Two goals from Rovers saw Wolves chasing the game for pretty much the entire second half and they eventually managed to win a late penalty, which Raul Jimenez converted.

Compared to West Ham and Burnley, it's quite a poor start for Wolves, considering they were on home soil against a poor Blackburn side....

They're now as high as 13/2 to win the title, so the market has spoken clearly there.

Middlesbrough Make Statement

Finally, we have Middlesbrough, were the only of the first four favourites for the title to win this weekend. It wasn't pretty, but they got the job done and that's massive.

A win against newly promoted Lincoln was expected, but not in the fashion which it arrived; a narrow 2-1 win. However, I can look at the game with a smile, thanks to Will Lankshear getting a brace.

I tipped him in my Championship preview (and Zian Flemming, for what it's worth) and the duo have now massively shifted in the odds markets.

Indeed, both look pretty solid already!

Top Eight Opening

Of course, the teams in this section could fight for the title, just as the teams in the first section may find a home in the top eight in 20 games time. That's the beauty of the Championship.

Nevertheless, we're basing this section on the odds and my predictions, so we'll try get a nice mix.

Millwall Get Early Play-off Boost Against Bristol City

Burnley hosting Bristol City wasn't the only play-off clash on the first weekend with Millwall travelling to Ashton Gate. Bristol City were a team that I quite liked for a 'Top Eight' finish and I remain in that position.

However, an opening day defeat to Millwall shows that the Lions have not skipped a beat since the end of last season. A Josh Coburn brace is another impressive sign, too.

If he can continue that form into the season, the Lions may well be a strong contender in the play-offs...

Somehow, they're still backable at 7/5 with VirginBet, that price may not last!

Swansea Open Strongly

Drawn against Stoke, the Swans didn't have the most difficult opener in the division. However, going to the Bet365 is never easy on the opening day. However, they took no notice of the stats and came away with three points.

Like I say, it's not the most difficult opener. But taking three points back to Wales is a good feeling, surely.

It was a pretty scrappy game, but they made three chances and converted two. So, complaints can be very few and far between. A good start to the season for them.

Most of the best football bookmakers have them around the 3/1 mark for a top eight spot...

Opening Day Goes West (Brom) For Norwich

Norwich were one of the most popular teams for a play-off spot this season, it seemed. They may still be after the first match of the season, but a loss to West Brom isn't the start they were hoping for.

Creating five big chances and with an xG of almost three, the fact that they had to wait for the 90th minute for a goal suggests that it may just be a bad day at the office.

Nevertheless, if these figures extend, you'd worry about them. It's all good creating chances, but if you get into the habit of not putting them away, it becomes problematic.

Southampton struggle on Matchday One

Southampton were already in a poor position before the start of the season, with a -4 points deduction. However, they didn't lessen that figure at the weekend, falling short against Watford.

Two first half goals were all but enough to seal the deal for the Hornets - who arrived into this season as a bit of an unknown quantity - and the Saints may feel like they should've got more from the game.

Nevertheless, it leaves them rooted to the bottom of the table for now...

Despite this, they remain below Evens in the markets. Faith hasn't dropped in the Saints!

Loss, Win, Loss

The relegation teams are not locked in, too, so if you're reading this and your team is featured, it's nothing personal! I'm simply going off the odds and my predictions.

Lincoln Lose But...

A defeat on the opening day for Lincoln was expected when they were drawn against Middlesbrough. However, they didn't disgrace themselves with a 2-1 defeat at the Riverside.

They were battered statistically and if you base it off that, it may be a long season. Yet, they weren't in the scoreline and if they can keep it that way, they might not be too bad this season.

Bolton Start With Derby Success

For Bolton, an opener against Preston was a big chance to start life back in the Championship well. A win in your first game against a local rival would be a great start.

And, well, they got it!

First half goals from Sam Dalby and Thierry Gale were enough and whilst the Lilywhites grabbed a goal in the second half, they couldn't overturn the defecit...

Questions about Preston will only increase after the weekend and they certainly could be in danger of the drop this season if they don't improve.

The market only prices them slightly better than Bolton at 2/1, compared to Wanderers' 15/8...

General Picture

Portsmouth were beaten heavily on the opening day and they now sit at 3/1 to go down. However, Charlton and Cardiff City, who won and drew respectively, are 2/1.

There are six teams under the 3/1 mark now, so a lot of the value appears to have gone, unfortunately.