Championship 2025: Predicted Top 6 Teams and Clubs Facing Relegation

Championship 2025/26 Season Prediction: Top 6 Teams and Relegation Battles

The 2025/26 Championship season launches in just under a weeks time, bringing back the fresh wave of excitement to English football’s fiercely competitive second tier. The battle for promotion and survival will be as intense as ever, with their being multiple strong squads this season.

Below is a detailed club-by-club breakdown of the top promotion contenders and those battling relegation with current outright odds from Kwiff.

Title Challengers & Playoff Contenders

Ipswich Town

Manager: Kieran McKenna begins his third full season in charge, building on a solid foundation after his Ipswich side's relegation from last season's Premier League.

Assessment: McKenna favours a high-pressing, possession-oriented style that maximises the pace and skill of his wide attackers. The blend of youth and experience creates balance, however, squad depth in both defence and midfield will be tested in the long season.

Tactical flexibility is evident with shifts between a 4-3-3 and 3-4-3 depending on opposition. Defensive solidity took a hit last season, so maintaining concentration through the campaign will be crucial.

Kwiff Odds: 3.65 to win the title; 1.83 for promotion.

Southampton

Manager: Will Still, appointed this summer, aims to reshape the Saints into a dynamic, possession-based outfit capable of sustaining a promotion push.

Assessment: Still’s tactical approach centres on controlling possession, quick positional rotations, high defensive lines and demanding technical precision. The youthful squad is energetic but lacks extensive Championship experience, raising questions over consistency.

The team is expected to use wing play to create overloads, while defensive organisation remains a work in progress. If the Saints can develop cohesion early, they have the ingredients for automatic promotion.

Kwiff Odds: 5.45 to win the title; 2.30 for promotion.

Sheffield United

Manager: Ruben Selles has been appointed following a stable but unspectacular 2024/25 season, which saw the Blades fall short at Wembley in the play-off final.

Assessment: Sheffield United adopt a pragmatic, defensively disciplined 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 shape, prioritising organisation and counter-attacking opportunities. The Blades are tough to break down, with set-pieces likely to be a hidden weapon, but creativity and goal-scoring outside the box remain concerns.

The challenge lies in balancing defensive resilience with the need for goals to sustain a playoff push.

Kwiff Odds: 8.05 to win the title; 2.50 for promotion.

Coventry City

Manager: Frank Lampard looks to improve on last season’s play-off heartbreak with a squad built around intensity and tactical discipline.

Assessment: Coventry play a high-energy, pressing game emphasising quick transitions. The squad’s improved depth helps Lampard rotate and maintain intensity. The side’s midfield is combative, with solid defensive cover but a need for greater attacking creativity.

Their resilience and fitness may enable them to grind results late in matches — a crucial trait in the Championship.

Kwiff Odds: 10.80 to win the title; 4.00 for promotion.

Birmingham City

Manager: Chris Davies continues his tenure, building around a solid defensive unit and physicality.

Assessment: Birmingham’s pragmatic approach focuses on defensive organisation and set-piece opportunities. They tend to absorb pressure and rely on counter-attacks, but a lack of creativity and pace in transition could limit their upward trajectory.

Consistency will be critical — dropping points to lower-ranked teams could derail playoff hopes.

Kwiff Odds: 7.15 to win the title; 2.50 for promotion.

Norwich City

Manager: Liam Manning remains tasked with instilling a possession-based style with tactical control.

Assessment: Norwich’s style demands patience, technical accuracy, and positional discipline, aiming to dominate possession and limit opposition chances. Manning’s methods require buy-in and fitness; the Championship’s physical demands pose a test.

If the squad can avoid injury and adapt to the tempo, Norwich should compete for playoff spots, though their goal threat may be moderate.

Kwiff Odds: 15.10 to win the title; 5.15 for promotion.

Relegation Favourites

Charlton Athletic

Manager: Charlton enter the Championship under Nathan Jones, who signed a long-term extension until 2030. While his 4-2-3-1 system brings structure and aggression, the squad lacks proven Championship depth, making them prime relegation candidates despite Jones' pedigree.

Assessment: Charlton face an uphill battle; lack of leadership and inconsistent performances have plagued them. The squad lacks depth, and cohesion remains a challenge.

Early-season points are critical to avoiding a relegation scrap. ** Kwiff Odds**: Approximately 2.85 to be relegated.

Oxford United

Manager: Gary Rowett attempts to stabilise the side with a pragmatic approach. .

Assessment: Oxford’s pragmatic style might help grind out points, but the squad lacks attacking firepower and consistency.

They will need to focus on defensive organisation and capitalising on set-pieces to accumulate survival points.

Kwiff Odds: Around 2.70 to be relegated.

Sheffield Wednesday

Manager: After Danny Rohl’s departure, Henrik Pedersen has taken on the role after being at the cliub since 2023.

Assessment: Financial concerns and instability cast a long shadow. On-field struggles are likely unless immediate improvements occur.

The squad’s morale and fitness levels will be tested throughout a difficult campaign.

Kwiff Odds: Near 1.25 to be relegated.

Football Park's Overall Prediction

Ipswich and Southampton appear to have the strongest squads to challenge for automatic promotion, reflected in their favourable Kwiff odds. Sheffield United, Coventry, Birmingham, and Norwich are well-placed for playoff contention but must maintain consistency and fitness.

At the bottom, Charlton, Oxford, and Sheffield Wednesday face difficult seasons. Without reinforcement and stability, their survival chances look slim. The Championship’s unpredictability ensures surprises, but this season’s narrative will take some twists and turns along the way.