The 2023/24 EFL Championship season is just around the corner, with the second tier of English football set to kick off the new campaign on Friday.
We have taken an early look at the promotion race, picking out the pre-season odds and giving some thoughts on who might be playing in the top flight in 2024/25.
| Championship Team | Promotion Odds | Bookmaker |
|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Leicester City | 13/8 | BoyleSports |
| 🏆 Leeds United | 12/5 | LivescoreBet |
| 🏆 Southampton | 5/2 | Paddy Power |
| 🏆 Middlesbrough | 4/1 | Midtime |
| 🏆 Norwich City | 5/1 | BetVictor |
| 🏆 Ipswich Town | 11/2 | Midtime |
| 🏆 West Bromwich Albion | 11/2 | Bet365 |
| 🏆 Watford | 6/1 | BetVictor |
| 🏆 Stoke City | 7/1 | SkyBet |
| 🏆 Sunderland | 15/2 | Spreadex |
| 🏆 Coventry City | 8/1 | BetVictor |
| 🏆 Millwall | 9/1 | Coral |
Leicester are the 13/8 favourites to win promotion to the Premier League. Their relegation last time out came as a huge surprise, as a talented squad struggled to get going throughout the season. Leicester have since lost some key players, but at this level they should be very strong.
Leeds finished second-bottom in the Premier League in 2022/23 and are priced at 12/5 to go back up. Daniel Farke, their new manager, has won promotion from this division before.
Southampton were once held up as a model club, but last season was disastrous for the side from the south coast. They have some good young players, though, and are available at 5/2 to go up.
Middlesbrough (4/1) finished fourth in the Championship last season, behind only the three teams that went up. Michael Carrick is a bright young manager and Boro have plenty of gifted players at their disposal.
Norwich were disappointing in 2022/23, but they are usually a well-run club with significant promotion-winning experience. The Canaries can be backed at 5/1.
Ipswich (11/2) were in League One last season and are now targeting back-to-back promotions under Kieran McKenna. Momentum can be a powerful force in football, so do not rule it out.
West Brom are available at 11/2 to claim a place in the Premier League. A big club at this level, they will be aiming to better last season’s ninth-place finish.
Stoke (7/1) were top-flight regulars for a large chunk of the 2010s, but they did not even get close to winning promotion last term. They should do better in the 2023/24 campaign.
Watford’s controversial policy of chopping and changing managers has worked in the past, but it did not last season. They are listed at 6/1 to return to the Premier League.
Leicester look well positioned to win promotion to the Premier League, perhaps as champions. Middlesbrough should be strong in their first full season under Michael Carrick, and do not rule out Watford or Norwich getting back to the big time.
