OUR ultra-competitive EFL Championship kicks off again this weekend fuelling dramatic dreams of promotion to that promised land of the Premier League.
So who will achieve promotion in 2024/25? Those clubs relegated from the top flight possess a considerable parachute payments advantage in terms of player recruitment. But further likely hopefuls exist.
Here are the teams I feel will be in contention alongside pertinent pointers to assist your Championship betting. All odds are accurate as of the time of writing...
Burnley
Promotion odds: 15/8
Final position 2023/24: 19th in the Premier League
Ex-England midfielder Scott Parker was unveiled in the Turf Moor hot seat on 5th July. Vincent Kompany’s managerial tenure ceased with his May switch to Bayern Munich.
Parker has manoeuvred Fulham and AFC Bournemouth up from the Championship to the Premier League in recent years.
Like the other relegated outfits, Burnley will feature heavily in football betting stakes. Experienced midfield man Johann Berg Gudmundsson has re-signed on a one year deal having previously seemed set to leave Burnley.
Opening fixture: Monday 12th August at 8pm away versus Luton Town
Hull City
Promotion odds: 8/1
Final position 2023/24: 7th in the Championship
The former Hamburg boss Tim Walter assumes Hull City duties on a three year contract. They fell short of the Play-Offs by three points last season and quickly discharged head coach Liam Rosenior.
A couple of significant squad departures are centre-back Jacob Greaves to Ipswich Town for £15 million – Hull’s Player of the Year in 2023/24 - and winger Jaden Philogene to Aston Villa for £18 million.
Opening fixture: Saturday 10th August at 12.30pm home versus Bristol City
Leeds United
Promotion odds: 1/1
Final position 2023/24: 3rd in the Championship
EFL Championship Player of the Season Crysencio Summerville decamped to West Ham United for £25m plus add-ons over the past weekend.
Archie Gray had already left for Tottenham Hotspur in a £40 million package meaning substantial money is available for fresh faces at Elland Road before the transfer window shuts.
Leeds United are regrouping after narrowly going down 1-0 to Southampton in the 2023/24 Championship Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium.
Opening fixture: Saturday 10th August at 12.30pm home versus Portsmouth
Luton Town
Promotion odds: 3/1
Final position 2023/24: 18th in the Premier League
Hatters manager Rob Edwards has outlined the importance of new signings this week reflecting a number of ongoing injuries. They ended up six points below the dreaded dotted line during an inaugural campaign as Premier League members.
A pivotal period lies ahead since their new 23,000 capacity Power Court Stadium is planned for completion inside three years. The Hatters were weakened by the loss of midfielder Ross Barkley to Aston Villa on 1st July.
Opening fixture: Monday 12th August at 8pm home versus Burnley
Norwich City
Promotion odds: 5/1
Final position 2023/24: 6th in the Championship
The former FC Nordsjaelland manager Johannes Hoff Thorup is Norwich City’s new head coach penning a three year deal.
Preceding incumbent David Wagner was sacked following the Canaries’ 4-0 aggregate reverse against Leeds United in the Championship Play-Off Semi-Finals.
Brazilian midfielder Gabriel Sara departed on Sunday joining Galatasaray amidst a £20 million deal. Sara will be severely missed having made 96 appearances for Norwich and scoring 21 goals after arriving from Sao Paulo two years ago.
Opening fixture: Saturday 10th August at 12.30pm away versus Oxford United
Sheffield United
Promotion odds: 9/2
Final position 2023/24: 20th in the Premier League
Striker options have diminished at Bramall Lane. Cameron Archer has returned to Aston Villa for £15 million and I was a little surprised to see Oliver McBurnie move to Las Palmas on a free because I thought he would score a hatful of goals in the upcoming Championship programme.
Sheffield United merely won three Premier League encounters last season and finished rock bottom – some 16 points adrift of survival.
However, boss Chris Wilder is a wily Championship connoisseur so the Blades will surely be strong throughout 2024/25.
Opening fixture: Friday 9th August at 8pm away versus Preston North End
Sunderland
Promotion odds: 7/1
Final position 2023/24: 16th in the Championship
Sunderland are my tip for the surprise aspirants. They brought in Lorient boss Regis Le Bris on 22nd June as new head coach negotiating a three year agreement.
He is their first permanent manager beyond Michael Beale’s dismissal in February. Boasting a 2023/24 average home gate of 41,158, expectancy levels are rocketing at the Stadium of Light.
Opening fixture: Saturday 10th August at 12.30pm away versus Cardiff City
*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
