The new season is upon us and after an elongated weekend of EFL Cup action we are closing in on the start of the EFL season at the weekend. That means that time is running out to get your outright bets on before the season starts, and I have made a couple of great picks for the Championship title.
Championship Outright Winner Odds 2026/27
Let’s have a look at the latest odds for the EFL Championship winner from the UK’s best football betting sites.
TL; DR – Championship Outright Winner Betting Tips
My tip for the Championship title is West Ham United. They are the bookie’s favourite, so this tip wins no prizes for originality, however, I genuinely believe that the famous old football league trophy is heading to East London for reasons I will go into. The current odds of 7/4 still give a reasonable return; however, I recommend that you get in before the season starts if you are backing the Hammers. I’ve also gone for an each-way punt which, in my opinion, offers greater value.
It must be remembered that the 46-game Championship season is a slog, and much can change throughout the course of the campaign. Here are my thoughts on the sides who look set to be the major contenders. Remember that the odds quoted are correct at 14:00 BST on Monday 10th August 2026 and are subject to change.
West Ham United: 7/4 With Betfred
No Expiry Date
West Ham are favourites for a reason. Last Autumn their results and performances made them certainties for the drop, but the appointment of Nuno Espirito Santo gave them a real shot in the arm, and they gave survival a good go alongside a decent run in the FA Cup. Espirito Santo remains in charge, and I rate him as one of the best managers in the second tier and back him to navigate his squad through the marathon EFL season. Furthermore, they have retained a number of Premier League quality players.
Getting Jarrod Bowen to commit was a major coup. Our Kickform stats show that Bowen was fifth in last season’s Premier League rankings for goal involvements, with nine goals and eleven assists. The England international should be in the running to be the division’s top player this season and is the current favourite to be the Championship’s top scorer. Tomas Soucek, Max Kilman, Malick Diouf and Aaron Wan-Bissaka also remain. There will be hiccups over such a long season, however, they will have too much for the other teams.
Wolverhampton Wanderers: 11/2 10Bet
No Expiry Date
Wolves will be looking to bounce back from a disastrous campaign where they collected a meagre 20 points. Some of the squad may suffer a hangover after last season’s horror show, but the Midlands club have made some shrewd additions. Kieran Trippier brings quality, experience, and leadership. The former England international may have started to show signs of age, but he is still capable of performing at this level. Raul Jimenez brings quality in attack, and promising youngster Mateus Mane is another year further forward and will thrive at this level. Adam Armstrong has consistently bagged goals in the Championship, and if new boss Cesar Peixoto gets to grips with English football, then I think they will be a major part of the promotion race. I don’t see them being champions though, I see this season more as a slow burner where they make a late run to contend for an automatic promotion place.
Middlesbrough: 10/1 William Hill
EXPIRING:
31/12/2026
This will be Middlesbrough’s 10th consecutive season outside the Premier League. They came close to promotion last season only to suffer defeat in the play-off final. While they have lost Hayden Hackney they have recruited well and are looking to bring some more players in before the window closes.
Boro looked the most likely side to join Coventry in the automatic spots until they faded at the end of the season. Manager Kim Hellberg will have learned a lot about England’s second tier last season and the majority of the squad know their way around the Championship. I see them as an outside bet for the title and a strong contender for an automatic promotion spot. At 10/1 they are fantastic value as an each-way bet.
Burnley: 11/1 10bet
Burnley have been something of a yo-yo club in recent seasons and will be strong promotion contenders. Like Wolves, it was a case of when and not if, for relegation from the Autumn onwards. New boss Nicky Hayen must change the mentality quickly if they are to be title contenders. I can see them being promoted, but I doubt whether they will be able to be league winners.
Southampton: 11/1 10bet
Southampton’s superb second half of the season was hugely undermined by the fallout from the Spygate scandal. They begin the season with a four-point deduction, and it is debatable as to whether morale within the camp has been affected by the events of the spring. They have the quality, but in such a competitive league the four-point penalty could well make a title win a bridge too far.
My Championship Outright Winner Bets are Live
I feel that West Ham United are the team to beat, so they are my pick to lift the Championship trophy. 7/4 at Betfred, one of the best bookies in the UK, is a reasonable price.
However, I feel that Middlesbrough have been massively undervalued by the bookies and at 10/1 they are a fantastic each-way bet. So, I’ve gone for an each-way wager on the Boro too. If you are signing up at William Hill for the new season, once you have placed your qualifying wager, you can use your free bets for your outright picks. Best of luck if you’re having a punt, remember to gamble responsibly.
