The FLP Podcast: Who Will Go Up? EFL 2026/27 Promotion Favourites & Dark Horses

In this week’s edition of The Football League Paper Podcast, Matt Badcock is joined by Football League Paper Chief Writer Chris Dunlavy and John Lyons, Football League Paper Editor, to look ahead to the start of the 2026/27 EFL season.

The trio delve into the title favourites across the Championship, League One and League Two, and which teams might be considered dark horses for a promotion spot at the end of the campaign, based on the bookies latest odds.

Championship

West Ham United currently lead the way in the Championship – Jarrod Bowen and Nuno Espírito Santo’s commitment to the club has them as 7/4 favourites to bounce back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are the next favourites at 11/2, with Cesar Peixoto taking over from Rob Edwards and leading a team stacked with Premier League talent, including the returning Raul Jimenez and Kieran Trippier.

Last season’s play-off finalists Middlesbrough have had a big summer spending spree, including the arrival of Will Lankshear, which has them at 9/1.

Meanwhile, newly-relegated Burnley follow close behind at 11/1 as Nicky Hayen takes over from Scott Parker as manager.

Tonda Eckert’s Southampton side are tipped at 14/1, perhaps a reflection on whether the Saints can put their ‘Spygate’ controversy behind them heading into the new season, while Wrexham, Norwich City and Millwall are considered to be dark horses for a chance at promotion.

League One

In League One, Leicester City are the bookies’ favourites for a return to the second tier at 5/2, but will their financial issues and potential sale impact Russell Martin’s tenure of the Foxes?

Another team keen to bounce back is Sheffield Wednesday, and they will be boosted by their new ownership, which brought an end to Dejphon Chansiri’s control of the club. The Owls currently sit at 6/1 ahead of the start of their League One campaign.

Other contenders in the third tier include Jack Wilshere’s Luton Town, Plymouth Argyle with Tom Cleverley at the helm and Huddersfield Town under the stewardship of Martin Drury.

League Two

Finally, in League Two, Salford City are the odds-on favourites to claim the title. New manager Peter Cklamovski’s has brought in Macauley Langstaff and Luke Molyneux, which has boosted their chances of achieving promotion to League One for the first time.

Steve Evans’ Bristol Rovers are 15/2 after a strong finish to last season, with Chesterfield next at 17/2.

Barnet and York City are both 10/1, although the Minstermen will hope the departure of Stuart Maynard and arrival of Scott Lindsey does not disrupt their promotion push.

Port Vale are 12/1 and will be looking to bounce straight back under Jon Brady. The Valiants will be hoping his first full season in charge can deliver another promotion.

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