EFL Championship 2025/26 top 6 and relegation predictions

Following on from today’s Championship winner predictions, Joe Casey runs through his favourites for promotion and relegation ahead of the second tier’s kick-off next week.

This follows on from our League One and League Two outright predictions, all of which can be found on our Season Outright Tips Hub.

2025/26 EFL Championship top 6 betting odds

• Ipswich – 4/11

• Southampton – 8/15

• Sheff Utd – 4/6

• Birmingham – 8/13

• Coventry – 11/10

• Leicester – 6/4

• Middlesbrough – 13/8

• Norwich – 13/8

• West Brom – 15/8

• Wrexham – 3/1

• Bristol City – 4/1

• Millwall – 5/1

*All odds correct as of 29/07/2025 on bet365.

2025/26 EFL Championship top 6 prediction

Norwich to finish in the top 6 at 13/8

The race for the top six in the Championship looks set to be as competitive as ever, but at the prices, Norwich look overpriced to land a play-off spot.

After a middling campaign last season, the Canaries have made a raft of changes this summer and look set to take a big leap forward.

New boss Liam Manning arrives after a solid spell at Bristol City, leading them to finish sixth in 2024-25, and he will have similar ambitions at his new club. 

Only Leeds scored more goals than Norwich’s 71 last season, but only five teams conceded more than their tally of 68.

They have brought in defenders Jakov Medic, Harry Darling, and Jeffrey Schlupp as they look to tighten up at the back, along with goalkeeper Vladan Kovacevic from Sporting.

The Canaries have also made one of the signings of the summer in Mathias Kvistgaarden from Brondby. The Danish striker scored 23 goals last term and could be destined for the top.

They have also brought in exciting youngsters Papa Amadou Diallo and Jacob Wright, and at present, their star man from last season, Josh Sargent has not departed.

Even if they don’t manage to hold on to the American, Norwich look set to secure a play-off spot.

2025/26 EFL Championship relegation betting odds

• Sheff Wed – 4/11

• Oxford Utd – 5/2

• Charlton – 11/4

• Hull – 3/1

• QPR – 10/3

• Preston – 9/2

• Portsmouth – 9/2

• Derby – 5/1

• Blackburn – 5/1

• Swansea – 6/1

• Stoke – 6/1

• Watford – 13/2

*All odds correct as of 29/07/2025 on bet365.

2025/26 EFL Championship relegation prediction

Oxford United to be relegated at 5/2

Over the last 20 years, Oxford have spent more time in non-league than they have in the second tier, and their short spell in the Championship could be set to come to an end this season.

The U’s finished 17th last term in their first campaign after promotion from League One, but they were only four points clear of the drop.

A solid start to the season and a new manager bounce around the turn of the year, when Gary Rowett took over were enough to see Oxford stay up but they had the second-worst expected goals numbers in the division, and their fortunes look troubled.

No player scored more than six goals for the Yellows last term, and they have lost one of their most creative outlets, Ruben Rodrigues, to Portuguese side Vitoria.

Brian De Keersmaecker is a decent addition in midfield, while new man Brodie Spencer is a versatile young defender, but the Championship is a stronger division than it was 12 months ag,o and Oxford have not brought in the quality to keep up.

The U’s won just two away games all season, and their home record might not be enough to keep them up this time around.

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