
The Championship 2025/26 highly anticipated campaign begins this week. For those looking to
pick out a winner or two, our football expert Nathan Joyes is on hand to discuss the latest
betting odds, favourites and dark horses to achieve promotion to the Premier League.
Ipswich Town are 3/1 favourites with Betano to return to the Premier League at the first time of asking. The board didn’t overreact at their underwhelming campaign, knowing that Kieran McKenna performed miracles to achieve back-to-back promotions in the first place. He remains in charge, and the vast majority of the squad has stayed - which is another positive sign.
With the likes of Jack Clarke and Jaden Philogene staying put, both are far too good for this
level of football. If they find their usual groove, Ipswich won’t go far wrong as they look to return to the Premier League.
Other clubs wanted to lure McKenna away from Portman Road, but he clearly believes in what
he is building and if he can rally his troops once more, there aren’t many better squads in the
league. Promotion - and the title - looks destined to end up in Suffolk.
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Southampton endured an even worse Premier League campaign compared to Ipswich - and the
Saints were counting their blessings that they managed to beat Derby’s unwanted record
towards the end of the season.
But as with many relegated sides, this is a new campaign and with it comes a fresh look to their
squad. Southampton, priced at 5/1 with
bet365, have appointed Will Still to be the man to steer them back into the top flight.
Two promising spells in France with Reims and Lens has seen him given his first crack at
English football - and he’s almost hit the jackpot with the squad that is available to him at this
level. He’ll need to make sure his players are ready to fight - as well as dealing with the
pressure and expectations to deliver - but Still has everything at his disposal to challenge
Ipswich for an automatic spot come May.
All eyes are firmly on Birmingham City - and perhaps more so after their new documentary was
released on Amazon. Available to back at 6/1 with
Kwiff, Chris Davies guided his team
out of League One with relative ease - and those working in the background appear to finally
have everything put together.
The owners have reached deep into their pockets for well over two seasons now, and the depth
they have is what potentially sets them apart compared to others looking to achieve promotion.
St. Andrews will be rocking every other week, and if Davies can deliver at this level, Birmingham
will be a threat to all.
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At a much bigger price (20/1 with
LiveScoreBet), West Brom might be the side to spring a surprise. No
strangers to the Premier League, the club looks to have their house in order off the pitch for the
first time in quite a while - a huge plus going into a new campaign.
The board have opted to hire Ryan Mason as their head coach - and although he’s lacking
experience, the former Spurs player has worked alongside Ange Postecoglou and Jose
Mourinho - learning from the very best.
If he can showcase he’s up to managing at this level, the squad available to him looks capable
of achieving a play-off spot. Aune Heggebo, Daryl Dyke and Nat Phillips are players that are
more than cut out for this level - and while there’s a focus on the usual names, West Brom may
sneak under the radar at big odds.

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