Get in early with a trio of picks that won’t just keep things interesting throughout the Championship season, but offer real value too, especially if you strike before the odds shift.
Below are our top tips for the teams we think are most likely to make their way back to the top flight once the final whistle blows on the campaign. You can back them individually or go in on all three, with potential returns of £107.50 from just a tenner on each.
EFL Championship 2025/26 Promotion Odds
| Team To Be Promoted | Odds from bet365 |
|---|---|
| Ipswich | 5/4 |
| Southampton | 13/8 |
| Birmingham | 2/1 |
| Sheffield United | 2/1 |
| Coventry | 9/2 |
| Leicester City | 9/2 |
| Norwich | 11/2 |
| West Brom | 6/1 |
| Middlesbrough | 5/1 |
| Wrexham | 11/2 |
| Bristol City | 8/1 |
| Millwall | 10/1 |
| Stoke | 10/1 |
| Swansea | 10/1 |
| Watford | 9/1 |
| Derby | 10/1 |
| Blackburn | 14/1 |
| Hull | 14/1 |
| Portsmouth | 25/1 |
| Preston | 25/1 |
| QPR | 20/1 |
| Charlton | 25/1 |
| Oxford United | 40/1 |
| Sheffield Wednesday | 40/1 |
*Odds correct as of 12:43am 29/07/2025
EFL Championship 2025/26 Promotion Tips
| Team To Be Promoted | Odds from bet365 | Returns |
|---|---|---|
| Ipswich | 5/4 | £22.50 |
| Sheffield United | 2/1 | £30.00 |
| Leicester City | 9/2 | £55.00 |
We reckon this trio have got a big season in them: momentum, quality and a real shot at pulling it off. The bright lights of the Premier League are well within reach, and here’s why we fancy their chances.
Bet One: Ipswich To Be Promoted (5/4)
Let’s start with the obvious: it’s common for recently relegated teams to bounce straight back to the Premier League within a season or two. And this year, every side that came up in 2024/25 has gone straight back down, just like the season previous. It just shows the gulf in quality between the Championship and the Premier League, creating that classic yo-yo effect.
Ipswich look bang in the middle of that divide. Too strong for the Championship, not quite up to scratch in the Premier League — for now. And the bookies seem to agree. Check any top UK bookmaker and you’ll find them among the favourites to go back up.
Yes, there’s been a bit of turnover since their impressive 2023/24 campaign. But Kieran McKenna, who masterminded their rise from League One to the Premier League, is still behind the wheel. And the squad still looks the business. New faces like midfield engine Azor Matusiwa, experienced shot-stopper David Button, seasoned full-back Ashley Young, and Cedric Kipré on loan from Ligue 2 outfit Reims give them a tidy mix of quality, leadership and potential. Those 5/4 odds seem right on the button to us.
Bet Two: Sheffield United To Be Promoted (2/1)
For large parts of the 2024/25 season, it genuinely looked like Sheffield United’s to lose. And that’s not just the gut talking, our Championship stats back it up. They racked up 28 wins, matching Burnley’s total, and their 63 goals were only bettered by three teams, two of which now play Premier League football. If not for Burnley’s brick wall defence, the Blades could easily have been the ones going up.
That said, the transfer window hasn’t done them many favours. While other clubs are making headlines — from Benjamin Sesko’s next move to Garnacho’s next club odds — Sheffield have had a quieter, more frustrating summer. The latest blow? Oliver Antman heading to Rangers, leaving fans wondering whether the reinforcements they need are actually coming.
Still, even without major additions, there’s enough quality in the squad to mount another serious promotion push. We’re not convinced they’ve got quite enough to top the table, but they’ve got more than enough to go up. At 2/1 for promotion, this remains one of the smartest value picks on the board.
Bet Three: Leicester City To Be Promoted (9/2)
We reckon this is the best value pick on the table. Yes, recently relegated sides always have a solid shot at promotion, but of the bunch, Leicester have the strongest case. Just look at the Premier League stats. More points and more wins than Ipswich, who are the current favourites. That’s not opinion, that’s fact.
Their transfer window has been barren with no signings, and few major departures besides Vardy. For most clubs, that might be a concern. But in Leicester’s case, the quality already in the squad could be enough. This is a team hardened by the top flight, and they’ve got a solid platform to build from. The silence in the market? It’s not hesitation. It’s calculation. They’re holding out for top prices and, by all accounts, looking to get full value from any moves they do make.
It’s a clever approach, and we think it’ll pay off. That’s why we’re genuinely surprised to see them priced at 9/1. In our book, they’re the most likely to win the whole thing. If you’re with us, and the Foxes manage to sniff their way to the top of the Championship standings once more, a tenner could return £130. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned over the years, no one is better for colossal outright returns than Leicester.
