**Wrexham Backed to Make Waves in 2025/26 Championship as Swansea City Face Mid-Table Prognosis**
Football fans have barely had time to digest the conclusion to this year’s League One campaign, but all eyes are now turning towards the 2025/26 Championship season, following a thrilling play-off final at Wembley. With Charlton Athletic clinching a narrow 1-0 win over Leyton Orient, the line-up for next season’s second tier of English football is now completed, ushering in fresh optimism and speculation about who might shine or struggle.
Charlton’s triumph brings them back to the Championship for the first time since 2020, joining Birmingham City and Wrexham as the three promoted sides. The Addicks will look to consolidate their place after several seasons away, but bookmakers appear less optimistic about their chances of a smooth transition, with the odds positioning them as likely to face a challenging campaign.
The bookmakers, meanwhile, are predicting an intriguing shake-up at the top. Ipswich Town are installed as early frontrunners for automatic promotion, thanks in part to their recent Premier League experience and strong showing last season, giving supporters reasons for excitement. Closely behind, Southampton are fancied for a swift return to the top flight after narrowly missing out last time around, according to leading betting markets.
However, perhaps the most notable storyline emerging from the latest odds is the potential rise of Wrexham AFC. Having enjoyed a meteoric climb through the leagues, the North Wales outfit are surprisingly tipped to exceed expectations. Betting companies have placed Wrexham at ninth among promotion favourites, suggesting the club has a genuine chance to at least challenge for a play-off place. Their high-profile ownership and recent investment in the playing squad appear to be paying dividends, turning what many thought would be a relegation battle into a mid-table or better prediction.
By contrast, Swansea City, who finished a respectable 11th position under Alan Sheehan last season, have been handed less favourable odds. With bookmakers slotting the Swans into the middle of the pack, expectations have been tempered. It is thought that a similar campaign to last year may await the South Wales side, who face stiff competition from their rivals in the division. Supporters will be hopeful that Sheehan can inject fresh momentum, but the odds suggest a play-off push will be challenging.
Elsewhere, Birmingham City, buoyed by significant investment during their promotion campaign, are marked as strong contenders for a top-six finish. Their ambitious recruitment strategy since dropping down appears to have impressed pundits and the betting public alike, giving City fans cause for optimism that they could be in the promotion mix.
Predictably, the newly-relegated trio—Leicester City, Sheffield United and Southampton—are all among the leading contenders according to the bookmakers. Leicester, in particular, are seen as strong candidates to bounce back, while Sheffield United, despite heartbreak in the play-offs, are only narrowly outside the automatic places in early projections.
At the other end of the table, the outlook appears bleak for Oxford United, Portsmouth, and newly-promoted Charlton, all tagged with high odds for relegation. The second tier is notorious for its unpredictability, but financial muscle and squad depth often play significant roles, both of which could impact these sides’ survival hopes.
Preston North End, Derby County and Queens Park Rangers are among a cluster of established Championship clubs also said to be flirting with the relegation zone, highlighting just how competitive the division is expected to be next season. These clubs will be hoping to defy gloomy predictions and secure safety long before the final run-in.
The full list of odds and predicted placings prompts plenty of debate, but one thing is certain: the 2025/26 Championship promises drama, surprises, and fierce competition from start to finish. As clubs regroup and supporters begin to dream, the table is set for another compelling campaign in English football’s most unpredictable league.