Championship Promotion Odds 22/23: Sheffield United and Middlesbrough catch the eye

If you're one of those people who spends their summer counting down the days until the new football season starts, you're in luck: we're now just a week away from the EFL's return!

The Championship takes focus in this piece as we examine the 22/23 promotion market for England's second tier, covering everything from who the favourites are, to previously promoted teams over the last 10 seasons, and finally ending with any clubs we believe are worth backing at an attractive price.

22/23 Favourites

Norwich - 7/4

Leading the betting for promotion are last season's Premier League basement dwellers, Norwich City.

Dean Smith's side are the shortest price for promotion across all firms, and Unibet's price of 7/4 is the best available at the time of writing.

Having been installed as the favourite in the winner market, it's no surprise to see them top of the promotion betting also.

The Canaries have spent the past four seasons fluttering between the top flight and England's second division; their two Championship title wins and pair of 20th-placed PL finishes suggesting their level lies somewhere between the two, in a currently nonexistent space.

Watford - 2/1

Although it's difficult to assess what kind of Watford we could see in Rob Edwards' first season in charge, the bookies are taking no chances and have them as the second shortest priced team for promotion.

2/1 is being offered by a number of operators, including 10Bet and BoyleSports, which surpasses the 17/10 that can be found elsewhere.

Edwards poses a very different proposition to his Vicarage Road predecessor, emphasising a fast, dynamic and free-flowing attacking style during his time at Forest Green Rovers.

It's a big jump for him as a head coach, going from winning the League Two title last term to carrying the weight of guiding Watford back to the promised land at the first time of asking.

West Brom - 11/4

In the minds of some, the best man for the task of returning a club to the English top flight would be Steve Bruce.

However, the Baggies boss underwhelmed when stepping in to replace Valerien Ismael last season, taking over the team in 5th before eventually plummeting down to finish the campaign in 10th; missing out on the play-off spots by an eight-point margin.

Bruce's promotion record does speaks for itself though, having accomplished this feat both at Birmingham City and Hull City two times each. That being said, his highest ever Championship finish still remains 2nd with both of the aforementioned clubs.

During his two most recent Championship jobs before this, the 61-year-old failed to achieve promotion with the most expensively assembled squad in the division at Aston Villa before failing to leave any lasting mark during his short tenure at Sheffield Wednesday.

Previously Promoted Clubs

• 2012/13: Cardiff, Hull City & Crystal Palace
• 2013/14: Leicester, Burnley & QPR
• 2014/15: Bournemouth, Watford & Norwich
• 2015/16: Burnley, Middlesbrough & Hull City
• 2016/17: Newcastle, Brighton & Huddersfield
• 2017/18: Wolves, Cardiff & Fulham
• 2018/19: Norwich, Sheffield United & Aston Villa
• 2019/20: Leeds, West Brom & Fulham
• 2020/21: Norwich, Watford & Brentford
• 2021/22: Fulham, Bournemouth & Nottingham Forest

Who to Back?

If you're wondering where the potential value may lie, Sheffield United could be the answer.

The 22/23 campaign marks Paul Heckingbottom's first pre-season experience in The Blades' dugout.

He assumed the role on an interim basis at the end of a tumultuous second campaign in the Premier League where Chris Wilder's team nosedived from European prospects all the way to the foot of the table 12 months later.

Since permanently taking on the position after Slavisa Jokanovic's sacking last November, Sheff U have seen a sharp incline. 

Penalty heartbreak in the play-off semi-final second leg against eventual winners Nottingham Forest prevented them from immediate promotion, but Heckingbottom made positive steps towards this eventual goal.

Although Morgan Gibbs-White's absence will be felt, the addition of short-term quality in this area of the field can help fill that void. The Barnsley-born manager and owner's remit towards youth development is another significant benefit that could seem go one step further this season.

Bet365 are offering the best odds right now, with them priced up at 7/2 for promotion.

If that pick doesn't take your fancy, Middlesbrough are another club looking to deliver on the promising signs they displayed during the 21/22 campaign.

Chris Wilder took control on Teeside around a similar time to Heckingbottom in South Yorkshire last year. He turned around their fortunes, going unbeaten for the whole of December in his first full month in charge, winning four of their five league games; an achievement that saw him awarded the EFL Championship Manager of the Month award.

Failing to beat sides in and around them towards the tail end of the campaign saw them just miss out on last season's final promotion place, but now with a summer transfer window and a pre-season under his belt, Wilder will have both feet firmly under the table, ready for a full-on promotion assault this time around.

Paddy Power, Betfair and 888Sport all have Boro at 3/1 to return to the Premier League.