Outright Tips & Latest Odds for the 2026/27 Championship Season

There was plenty of drama in last season's edition of the Championship, possibly too much towards the very end, and we're expecting another action-packed campaign full of surprises as West Ham, Wolves and Burnley join the roster from the Premier League, while Lincoln, Cardiff and Bolton make the step up from League One.

The 2026/27 Championship season kicks off on the 14th August, and there is one huge change that will see six teams qualify for the play-off places instead of the usual four, which will surely only add even more spice, intrigue and excitement to the race for promotion to England's top-flight.

We're bringing you our Championship tips for the upcoming 2026/27 season, so read on to find out who we believe the standout teams will be and why.

West Ham United were the biggest name of the three Premier League teams that suffered relegation into the Championship for the 2026/27 campaign, but we're tipping the Hammers to come straight back up by winning the title.

West Ham only stayed for one season the last time they were relegated into the Championship back in 2011. The Hammers beat Blackpool in the play-off final and then spent 14 seasons in the Premier League before last season's relegation.

While there are bound to be several outgoings and incomings at the London Stadium before we truly get to see the settled squad that is going to attempt to regain their spot in the Premier League, the big news is that their captain and talisman Jarrod Bowen has signed a new contract and will lead the line for the East London club in the Championship.

The England international had 20 goal involvements in the Premier League last season, scoring nine goals and providing 11 assists, for a team that was eventually relegated on the final day. Bowen has the skill and ability to tear up the Championship, plus he knows what is required to perform in this division, as he proved during his time with Hull City. Bowen scored into double figures in each of his three previous Championship campaigns, with his best output being the 22 goals and four assists he provided during the 2018/19 campaign, and he has only improved during his time with West Ham in the Premier League.

It's no surprise to see West Ham, Wolves and Burnley all tipped to finish in the top eight of the Championship this season, seeing as they are the three teams that have been relegated from the Premier League, but who else is in contention for a top eight finish and spot in the newly extended play-offs?

Middlesbrough, Southampton and Millwall all finished in the top five last season, but it was sixth-placed Hull that claimed the big prize in the play-off final. The Saints begin the season with a four-point deduction, but that shouldn't provide too much of a distraction in their attempts at securing a play-off place.

Wrexham, Derby, Norwich, Birmingham and Swansea all pushed for a top six finish last season, and there is a lot of hype around Sheffield United for the 2026/27 campaign, despite the Blades finishing 13th in the last campaign.

As we have backed West Ham to win the league this season, and see Burnley potentially finishing as runners-up ahead of Wolves due to their knowledge and experience in this division, our picks for the remaining teams that will make up the top eight are as follows: Wolves, Sheff Utd, Southampton, Wrexham, Birmingham and Middlesbrough.

The race for the Championship title is sure to be another thriller, full of twists and turns along the way, but who are the main contenders this season? The current frontrunners in the Championship Winner Odds are...

1. West Ham @9/4
2. Wolves @11/2
3. Burnley @9/1
4. Middlesbrough @12/1
5. Birmingham @14/1
6. Southampton @14/1
7. Sheff Utd @18/1
8. Norwich @20/1
9. Wrexham @20/1
10. Millwall @28/1

UK viewers can watch the 2026/27 Championship season exclusively on Sky Sports (subscription required). The opening game of the season, Wolves vs Blackburn on Friday 14th August at 8pm, will be broadcast live on Sky Sports+.

All of the opening weekend's Championship fixtures will be available to watch via Sky Sports+, which includes Saturday's 12:30pm game between Bolton and Preston, and the 5:30pm match which sees Sheff Utd taking on Birmingham.