Every match across the Championship, League One and League Two will be streamed live on Sky during the opening weekend, with more than a thousand live fixtures from the EFL, the Carabao Cup and the EFL Trophy available on Sky Sports. Throughout the campaign, supporters can also catch free highlights on the Sky Sports app after each round of games, and they can tune in to the Essential EFL podcast or The EFL Show on Sky Sports News for debate and analysis – the latter now has a dedicated weekly slot every Monday at 2 pm. For the best viewing experience, using the Chrome browser is recommended as it provides a more accessible video player.
Wolves are currently listed as the second‑favorite for the Championship title at 5/1 odds with Sky Bet – a position that reflects their strong squad on paper. However, I remain cautious about backing any side that has a habit of dropping points early in a season, especially when they are playing a tier below where they previously competed. When we examine the last ten clubs that were relegated from the Premier League with 25 points or fewer, their performance in the first five Championship games is generally poor.
Across those 50 matches, the relegated teams managed only 15 wins – a win‑rate of just 30 percent. The market currently has Wolves at 1/2, implying an implied probability of about 66 percent, which I consider a touch too optimistic given the uncertainties surrounding the Wolves squad.
Those 50 games also produced an average of 2.1 goals per match, suggesting that Wolves may be involved in a low‑scoring, tightly contested opener as they try to find rhythm. Tony Mowbray returns to the Blackburn dugout, and despite his recent health concerns and mixed results at his previous three clubs, his teams have historically conceded only 1.1 expected goals per 90 minutes over an 85‑game sample. This defensive solidity makes an under‑2.5‑goals bet at even odds with Sky Bet an attractive proposition for the Blackburn‑Wolves clash.
Latest Championship news If you have Sky, you can watch EFL games live on your mobile device. Preston enjoyed a solid away record against lower‑half opposition last season, losing just three of fifteen trips, though their expected‑goals advantage was modest at 0.9 per game. The recent departure of captain Ben Whiteman to Wrexham, combined with the loss of attacking contributors Lewis Dobbin and Daniel Jebbison, creates a problem for Paul Heckingbottom. Preston lost four consecutive pre‑season fixtures, and a challenging league start could be looming.
Historically, newly promoted sides often begin the Championship with momentum. Bolton, for example, offers value at 5/4 with Sky Bet and could become a favorite among backers looking for an early‑season upset.
Millwall finished third last season, and some might dismiss that as a fluke. I disagree.
Their high league position was built on a consistent points‑accumulation strategy: 24 wins, 11 defeats and only 49 goals conceded over 46 games. Alex Neil has added tactical flexibility without stripping away the traditional Millwall characteristics – the side remains organised, competitive and pragmatic, but now boasts greater individual quality than many of its previous incarnations. This summer’s significant changes at Bristol City make them a tough side to rate, providing Millwall an opportunity to exploit the transition and secure an away win at 17/10 with Sky Bet. John Eustace has proven his ability to prepare a team for a strong start.
In his first five games of any season he averages 1.6 points per match, losing just three of twenty. Last season he lifted a side hovering near the relegation zone to eighth place, employing a pragmatic but effective style. Derby, who possessed only 44.4 % of the ball last term, still mounted a genuine play‑off challenge. While Patrick Agyemang’s long‑term injury could be a concern, the attacking talents of Carlton Morris and Sammie Szmodics could tip the balance.
A Morris goal in a Derby away victory is priced at 7/2 with Sky Bet. Middlesbrough looked like Premier League contenders last season, only to miss out after losing both a play‑off semi‑final and the final.
If you judge teams by the quality of their football rather than sheer goal tallies, there is a strong case that Boro were the best side in the division under Kim Hellberg. Their defensive record was the strongest in the league, they produced the highest shot‑conversion ratio, and they earned 80 points from an expected 83.2 while creating 109 big chances and conceding just 68.
Hellberg now has a full pre‑season to embed his aggressive, possession‑heavy identity, and despite Hayden Hackney’s departure, the squad remains well‑balanced. They are a compelling promotion candidate at 5/2 with Sky Bet and could open the campaign with a home win.
Norwich were flirting with relegation when Philippe Clement arrived in November, yet by May they had become one of the division’s strongest outfits, suggesting a solid opening third could propel them back into the top eight. Their points per game jumped from 0.91 in the first 23 fixtures to 1.91 in the latter half of the season.
A similar manager‑bounce story unfolded at West Brom, where club legend James Morrison steadied the ship, losing only twice in his final twelve games and earning the permanent role. Both Norwich and West Brom are expected to target top‑eight finishes, making them difficult to separate on day one. A draw at 11/4 with Sky Bet offers a balanced runner‑up option. Rumarn Burrell is a striker to monitor this season.
In his first full Championship campaign he netted ten goals in thirty appearances – a solid base that suggests room for improvement as he adapts to the level. QPR’s creative core – Ilias Chair, Koki Saito, Harvey Vale and Kwame Poku – supplies him with varied service, meaning he does not need a flood of chances to score.
He is priced at 66/1 to finish as the league’s top scorer and 15/2 to open the scoring against Portsmouth. Swansea appear to have won the transfer window.
The ownership group has poured money into both the playing staff and infrastructure, while a partnership with Jamestown Analytics signals a new data‑driven recruitment approach. The involvement of Tony Bloom adds further credibility. New signings Elijah Just, Joseph Opoku and Moussa Yeo provide fresh attacking options, and if Ross Stewart can stay fit his proven goal‑scoring pedigree could be decisive.
Stoke have endured eight consecutive bottom‑half finishes since their Premier League relegation, making them a predictable, often dull watch for supporters. Swansea, however, could start with a bang and are priced at 9/5 with Sky Bet for an opening‑day victory. Birmingham’s away record last season was disastrous – a bet on them to win away would have lost you £12.51 for every £100 staked, a -55 % return on investment.
Chris Davies’ side averaged 1.91 points per game at home but only 0.87 away, and despite claims of a forthcoming style change, little is likely to shift dramatically. Sheffield United, under Chris Wilder, have focused on shoring up their defence, keeping four clean sheets in five pre‑season and Carabao Cup matches. A draw‑no‑bet market at 4/5 with Sky Bet (stakes returned on a draw) makes the Blades a sensible low‑risk play.
Southampton, despite a turbulent end to last season, finished strongly under Tonda Eckhart, collecting four more points than any other Championship side after 2 January and remaining unbeaten in their final 19 league games (14 wins, 5 draws). Although they suffered a four‑point deduction, continuity in the squad – with Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin converting loans into permanent deals and Léo Scienza staying on – should give them a solid platform. A two‑goal‑plus victory at 3/1 with Sky Bet could be a rewarding wager. West Ham are the shortest‑priced promotion favourite, currently around 1/2 odds to bounce straight back to the Premier League.
Their star Jarrod Bowen and Nuno Espirito Santo’s attacking philosophy suggest they could dominate, but the key question is whether Nuno’s style will be as effective against Championship teams that are comfortable conceding possession. The opening match may suit his approach, and an away win is priced at 13/10 with Sky Bet. Burnley, now led by Nicky Hayen, aim to play possession‑based, attacking football.
Hayen’s coaching background supports this vision, meaning West Ham may not face a tactical dilemma in the first fixture. Wrexham, managed by Phil Parkinson, proved last season they could adapt to the second tier, reshaping their setup after a tough start. However, they scored only 69 goals from chances valued at 56.9 and were heavily outshot, relying heavily on Kieffer Moore for goals. Limited transfer activity could make progress difficult.
Cardiff, promoted this summer, will lean on youth. Academy graduates like Dylan Lawlor and the promising Ruben Colwill – priced at 100/30 to score on Monday – could be vital in their survival battle. Betting highlights: Sheffield United draw‑no‑bet vs Birmingham at 4/5, double‑up on the same match plus under‑2.5 goals in Wolves‑Blackburn at 5/2, and a Super 6 promotion pool offering a chance at £1 million for free entry.
Overall, the opening weekend promises a mix of favourites, potential upsets, and numerous betting angles. Careful analysis of form, statistical trends and squad changes will be essential for anyone looking to profit from the early‑season action.