The predicted 2026/27 EFL Championship table based on the bookmakers' odds | OneFootball

Football League World takes a look at how the bookies have predicted the 2026/27 Championship season will go

West Ham United, Burnley, and Wolverhampton Wanderers have all been relegated from the Premier League, while Bolton Wanderers won the League One play-off final on the May Bank Holiday weekend, meaning Championship clubs know their full set of opponents for the 2026/27 season.

Lincoln City and Cardiff City both clinched automatic promotion from the third tier, so they will now test themselves against established second-tier outfits like Bristol City and Preston North End.

Meanwhile, the Championship has waved goodbye to Coventry City, Ipswich Town, and Hull City for at least another season, following their promotions to the Premier League.

At the other end of the table, Sheffield Wednesday, Leicester City, and Oxford United have all ventured into League One following their relegations.

Football League World has taken a look at how the bookmakers have predicted the 2026/27 Championship table will look, using Sky Bet odds correct as of 26 May.

24 ? ? Lincoln City

Lincoln provided one of the season's feel-good stories in the EFL, winning promotion to the Championship and the League One title despite having one of the smallest budgets in the third tier.

However, the Imps may struggle to adjust to the second tier, where they will be underdogs every week, vying for success against big-spending clubs like Birmingham City and Wrexham.

23 ? ? Charlton Athletic

Nathan Jones successfully kept Charlton Athletic in the Championship following a League One play-off triumph in 2025.

A season of struggle could now be on the cards for the Addicks, though, despite the South London club's desire to further extend their stay in the second tier.

22 ? ? Cardiff City

Like Lincoln, Cardiff have been tipped for an immediate League One return despite a stellar season which has seen them win promotion back to the Championship.

Brian Barry-Murphy has got an exceptional tune out of young talents such as Ronan Kpakio and Dylan Lawlor, but they may struggle to adjust to a more difficult league.

21 ? ? Preston North End

Preston boasted play-off credentials earlier in the Championship season, but largely woeful form in the second half of the campaign saw them slip to 14th.

Next term, North End could be left looking nervously over their shoulders as they battle to avoid dropping to League One for the first time since winning promotion back in 2015.

20 ? ? Bolton Wanderers

Remaining in the North West of England for now, Bolton have been backed to stay in the Championship, unlike fellow newly promoted sides Lincoln and Cardiff.

Wanderers know they have a vital summer transfer window ahead of them, having won the League One play-off final, but will be relishing the prospect of a long-awaited second-tier campaign.

19 ? ? Queens Park Rangers

Queens Park Rangers endured a highly inconsistent season in Julien Stephan's first campaign in charge, and ultimately finished 15th in the table.

The bookies have tipped QPR to struggle more next term, but the West London side won't want to have a relegation battle.

18 ? ? Portsmouth

Portsmouth have become accustomed to surviving in the Championship, finishing 16th and then 18th in the last two seasons.

The Fratton Park club would love to finish further away from the relegation zone next term, but another 18th-place finish could be on the cards.

17 ? ? Blackburn Rovers

Blackburn Rovers have struggled for stability in recent seasons, despite narrowly missing out on a play-off spot in 2025.

In both the 2023/24 and 2025/26 campaigns, the Lancashire outfit were left looking nervously over their shoulders, which is a fate that may await them yet again.

16 ? ? Swansea City

Swansea City failed to trouble the play-off spots despite having Championship golden boot winner Zan Vipotnik on their books.

An even more underwhelming campaign could now be in store for the Swans, despite their ambition to land an eventual Premier League return.

15 ? ? Watford

Watford endured a somewhat predictably turbulent season, which culminated in the sacking of former boss Ed Still, whose initial appointment followed Javi Gracia's exit.