Every Championship, League One and League Two match will be shown live on Sky during the opening weekend of the 2026-27 season, with Sky Sports also offering more than 1,000 live games from the EFL, Carabao Cup and EFL Trophy throughout the campaign.
Free highlights will be available on the Sky Sports app after each round of fixtures, while supporters can follow discussion and analysis through the Essential EFL podcast and The EFL Show, a new weekly programme on Sky Sports News every Monday from 14:00.
Wolves are second favourites for the Championship title at 5/1 with Sky Bet, but there are reasons to oppose them in their opening match.
Teams relegated from the Premier League after collecting 25 points or fewer have a poor early-season record in the Championship. Across the first five matches played by the past 10 such sides, there were only 15 wins from 50 games – a success rate of 30%.
Wolves are priced at 1/2 for victory, implying a probability of about 66%, which appears too short given the uncertainty around the squad. Those 50 matches produced an average of only 2.1 goals per game, suggesting a potentially awkward, low-scoring start for a team that may still be finding its rhythm.
Tony Mowbray is back in charge of Blackburn Rovers. Although health issues and disappointing results at his previous three clubs are concerns, his teams conceded only 1.1 expected goals per 90 minutes across an 85-game sample. Under 2.5 goals at evens with Sky Bet is the preferred bet.
Preston North End had an impressive away record against the bottom half of the division last season, losing only three of 15 matches. However, their results significantly outperformed the underlying numbers, with an average expected-goals superiority of just 0.9 goals per game.
The departure of captain Ben Whiteman to Wrexham, along with the loss of attacking contributions from Lewis Dobbin and Daniel Jebbison, leaves manager Paul Heckingbottom with problems to solve. Preston also lost four successive pre-season matches, meaning a difficult campaign may lie ahead.
Newly promoted sides have historically started Championship seasons strongly, often carrying momentum from the previous campaign. Bolton Wanderers can therefore reward those backing the favourites at 5/4 with Sky Bet.
Millwall’s third-place finish last season might look like an unexpected outlier, but their numbers suggest it was deserved. They won 24 of their 46 league fixtures, lost only 11 and conceded 49 goals.
Alex Neil has added tactical flexibility without removing the qualities associated with Millwall. His side remains organised, competitive and pragmatic, but there is greater individual ability in the squad than in many previous Millwall teams.
Bristol City have made a more significant attempt to change direction this summer, making them difficult to assess. That upheaval could give Millwall the opportunity to impose their usual approach, with an away win available at 17/10 with Sky Bet.
John Eustace has a strong record of preparing teams for the opening game. His sides have averaged 1.6 points per game across their first five matches of a season, with only three defeats in 20 games.
Eustace took Derby County from a relegation battle to eighth last season. Their football was not always spectacular, but it was effective. Derby averaged only 44.4% possession while making a serious challenge for the play-offs.
Patrick Agyemang’s long-term injury is a concern, although Carlton Morris and Sammie Szmodics provide considerable quality in the final third. Morris to score in a Derby away win is priced at 7/2 with Sky Bet.
Middlesbrough among the promotion picks
Middlesbrough spent much of last season looking like a side capable of reaching the Premier League, only to lose in both a play-off semi-final and a final.
Their underlying data was particularly strong after Kim Hellberg took charge. Middlesbrough allowed fewer shots than any other team in the division and had the Championship’s best shot ratio. They earned 80 points from an expected total of 83.2, created 109 big chances and conceded 68.
Hellberg has now had a full pre-season to further shape a side built around aggressive, possession-heavy football and territorial dominance. Hayden Hackney has departed, but Hellberg is considered capable of replacing that influence.
Middlesbrough are available at 5/2 with Sky Bet for promotion and can begin with a home win.
Norwich City were heading towards a relegation battle when Philippe Clement arrived in November, but they finished the season among the division’s stronger teams. They took only 0.91 points per game from their first 23 matches, compared with 1.91 from the final 23.
West Bromwich Albion also enjoyed a managerial revival. Club legend James Morrison restored order and lost only twice in his final 12 games before being appointed permanently.
Both teams are expected to challenge for a top-eight finish and may be difficult to separate on the opening day. The draw is priced at 11/4 with Sky Bet.
Rumarn Burrell is one player who could offer value this season. His first full Championship campaign brought 10 goals in 30 appearances, and improvement is expected as he becomes more accustomed to the level.
QPR have creativity behind the striker in the form of Ilias Chair, Koki Saito, Harvey Vale and Kwame Poku. Burrell showed last season that he does not need a large number of chances to score.
He is 66/1 with Sky Bet to finish as the Championship’s top scorer and 15/2 to score first against Portsmouth.
Swansea and Sheffield United backed
Swansea City may have had the strongest transfer window. The ownership group has invested heavily in both the squad and infrastructure, while the recruitment partnership with Jamestown Analytics could change how the club identifies players. A link-up with Tony Bloom is also viewed positively.
Elijah Just, Joseph Opoku and Moussa Yeo have added attacking options. Ross Stewart brings an established goalscoring record if he can overcome his injury problems.
Stoke City have recorded eight successive bottom-half finishes since being relegated from the Premier League, creating a predictable and frustrating cycle for supporters. Swansea can begin with an away win at 9/5 with Sky Bet.
Birmingham City were much stronger at home than on the road last season. Those who backed them blindly away from home would have lost £12.51 to level stakes, with a return on investment of -55%.
Chris Davies’ team averaged 1.91 points per game at home but only 0.87 away. The manager is under pressure to deliver results and protect his position. Davies has told colleague Adam Bate that a change of style should make Birmingham more competitive, but there is little confidence that the results will improve significantly.
Chris Wilder has made Sheffield United’s defensive record a priority. The Blades have kept four clean sheets in five matches across pre-season and the Carabao Cup.
Sheffield United are 4/5 with Sky Bet in the draw-no-bet market, with stakes returned if the game finishes level.
Southampton also deserve consideration despite the turbulence surrounding the club at the end of last season. Under Tonda Eckhart, they collected four more points than any other Championship side from 2 January onwards and finished the campaign unbeaten in their final 19 league matches, winning 14 and drawing five.
They remain promotion contenders despite a four-point deduction. The squad has retained continuity rather than undergoing a wholesale departure of players. Daniel Peretz and Cyle Larin have made their loan moves permanent, while Leo Scienza, described as arguably the Championship’s most dangerous wide player, has stayed.
Southampton to win by two or more goals is available at 3/1 with Sky Bet.
Questions for the promoted sides
West Ham United are the shortest-priced side in the division for promotion, with Sky Bet offering around 1/2 on an immediate return to the Premier League. Jarrod Bowen is one reason for that confidence.
However, the question is whether Nuno Espirito Santo’s successful style will be equally effective against Championship teams prepared to allow West Ham possession. That tactical issue could define their season.
It may not be tested immediately against Burnley, who are now managed by Nicky Hayen and are expected to favour a possession-based approach. Hayen has spoken about attacking football and his coaching background also points towards a team that wants to control the ball.
That should suit Nuno’s methods, with West Ham priced at 13/10 for an away victory.
Phil Parkinson showed last season that his approach could survive the move into the second tier. After a difficult start, he adapted Wrexham’s shape as the campaign developed.
There are still warning signs. Wrexham scored 69 goals from chances valued at only 56.9 by the data, earned 71 points from an expected total below 60 and were significantly outshot over the season. Limited transfer activity could make it difficult for Parkinson to improve the side, increasing the importance of Kieffer Moore in attack.
Cardiff City will rely heavily on youth after promotion. Dylan Lawlor leads an exciting group of academy graduates, while Ruben Colwill is considered a major talent capable of scoring in the Championship. Colwill is priced at 100/30 with Sky Bet to score on Monday.
The recommended bets are two points on Sheffield United draw no bet against Birmingham City at 4/5, and a one-point double on Sheffield United draw no bet with under 2.5 goals in Wolves v Blackburn Rovers at 5/2, both with Sky Bet.
