The Championship kicks-off on Friday night as second-tier sides battle it out for success in the 2026/27 season.
Often described as the most competitive league in world football, the Championship is a fascinating division which is, often, entirely unpredictable. The prize at stake is promotion to the Premier League and associated riches, but which clubs are favourites to top the table?
Southampton – 12/1
Last season ended in disaster for Southampton, who were controversially expelled from the Championship play-off final in May after one of the club’s interns was caught spying on Middlesbrough’s training sessions. The Saints beat Middlesbrough in the semi-final, with Boro instead reinstated to play Hull City in the final.
That decision curtailed an incredible run from Southampton, who had gone 21 games unbeaten to surge into the play-off picture. Shea Charles aside, Southampton have kept the bulk of their squad together, while adding Lewis Dobbin and former loanee Cyle Larin for firepower. Don’t rule out Tonda Eckert’s men after his impact last season.
Burnley – 10/1
The biggest yo-yo club in English football right now, Burnley have swapped between the Premier League and Championship in six successive seasons. The Clarets couldn’t do enough to stay in the top flight last season, but have the talent and know-how to thrive in the second tier.
Nicky Hayen has replaced Scott Parker as manager after impressing in Belgium. He led Club Brugge to the Pro League titles in 2024/25.
Middlesbrough – 17/2
Middlesbrough came close to ending their Premier League exile last season, after losing the play-off final. Boro have been mired in the Championship since 2017 but now look, arguably, better positioned than ever for promotion.
Kim Hellberg has lost Championship Player of the Season Hayden Hackney to Everton, but that £17m fee looks to have been invested well. Will Lankshear has huge potential and marked his Middlesbrough debut with a brilliant goal in the League Cup, while US internationals Sebastian Berhalter and Max Arfsten arrive as back-to-back MLS All-Stars. Furthermore, goalkeeper recruit Radek Vitek prevented 8.5 goals according to Opta’s xG model – the highest total in the competition.
Wolves – 5/1
Wolves endured a tough season in the Premier League to lose top-flight status for the first time since 2018. César Peixoto has replaced Rob Edwards in a surprise move, after impressing in Portugal with Gil Vicente.
Peixoto’s squad has been strengthened by veteran additions Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier, two talents who will lead the dressing room in 2026/27. Elsewhere, Rafiki Saïd has signed from Standard Liege after an eye-catching season in Belgium.
West Ham – 7/4
West Ham’s relegation from the Premier League was a huge shock, just three years on from the club’s Conference League success.
However, the Hammers head into the season’s opening weekend with one of the strongest squads seen in the second tier for some time. Jarrod Bowen’s decision to remain at the London Stadium is massive, while new signing Manor Solomon previously lit up this league at Leeds United.
Taty Castellanos, Konstantinos Mavropanos, Tomas Soucek and Kyle Walker-Peters form a core that, if kept together, make West Ham firm favourites for the title. Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo, a Championship winner with Wolves, knows how to get out of this division.
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