The English Football League (EFL) is the oldest in the world, with the first version created in 1888. It has three divisions, namely the EFL Championship, EFL League One, and EFL League Two. A total of 72 clubs make up the three divisions, with 24 in each. Four of the competing teams in the EFL are based in Wales, while the remaining 68 are in England. If you're looking for competitive English championship betting odds on popular markets, we've got you covered on Betsmith.
Season Highlights in the 2025/2026 EFL Championship
The EFL season began in August and continues through to 2 May 2026. A total of 131 matches will be played across 33 weekend rounds, 9 midweek rounds, and 4 on bank holidays. So far, Coventry City centre forward Brandon Thomas-Asante sits at the top of the scoreboard.
Sheffield United and Watford relieved their team managers, appointing Chris Wilder and Javi Gracia, respectively. Following the 2024/2025 season, Birmingham City, Wrexham, and Charlton Athletic entered the Championship from League One, while Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Southampton were relegated from the Premier League.
About the EFL Championship
The Championship is the highest division of the EFL, but the second-highest overall in English football, behind the Premier League. Founded in 1892 as the Football League Second Division, it underwent several iterations before becoming the EFL Championship in 2016. Each season, 24 clubs, each playing 24 games, compete in the tournament, which runs from August to May, with the two top-placed teams promoted to the EPL.
Clubs that finish in third to sixth place go into a playoff tournament, with the winner joining the other two in the EPL. The three teams at the bottom of the table in the EFL betting championship table are relegated to League One. Table standings are determined by the number of points each team earns after facing the 23 other clubs twice. For every win, each team gets three points, one point for draws, and zero for losses. If two clubs end up with the same number of points, goal difference, and goals scored, then goals scored will be used to determine table positions.
Betting on the EFL at Betsmith
Despite being a second-tier football league, the Championship remains the wealthiest non-top-flight division worldwide. Betsmith offers the best EFL Championship odds on all games. Our outright markets are also lucrative, especially early in the season when the football odds are still high. The available outrights we feature on Betsmith include:
- Winner
- Top Goalscorer
- Relegation Team
- Promotion Team
- Top 2 Teams
- Top 6 Teams
- Team To Finish the Top Half of the Table
At the end of the season, the Championship playoffs determine which team will join the top two in the EPL. This knockout competition is another chance to enjoy competitive EFL odds on the “Playoff Winner” outright market.
How to Bet on EFL Championship Games
As the season progresses, Championship odds on outrights continue to adjust, so single-game wagers make a lot of sense. Depending on your preference, you can opt for pre-match markets or explore live betting if you want your adrenaline pumped. Some popular markets to consider in these instances are:
- Match Result – Guessing the winner of a game is a straightforward choice that's easy for most punters. This market lets you predict which team will win or if the match will end in a draw.
- Match Goals – Here's another simple wager you can make on the total number of goals expected at full time. We'll set a number (like over/under 2.5), and you'll have to decide whether the final goal tally will be higher or lower.
- Double Chance – If you're a cautious bettor, use this market to play it safe. Instead of betting on a win/loss/draw outcome, a double chance lets you combine multiple predictions. You could bet on either team to win or draw, or on either of the two teams to win.
EFL Betting Tips for an Improved Championship Experience
The most successful punters are not those who win constantly but those who can apply strategies to mitigate losses. Here are our top tips to guide you as you bet on the EFL Championship:
Study the Statistics
Take advantage of our partnership with Sportradar and check out the detailed analysis of each game before betting. This information often covers the team's head-to-head records, highest win ratios, and previous goals scored per match.
Create a Betting Budget
You don't have control over how the EFL Championship odds move, but you can decide how to spend your funds. By setting a daily or weekly spending budget, you'll control how much you spend on betting.
Take Occasional Breaks
You make smarter betting decisions when you're less stressed and clear-headed. Set 30-minute or hourly timeout reminders and ensure you observe these breaks.
Why Bet on the EFL Championships at Betsmith?
The extensive lineup of Championship markets on Betsmith makes it an entertaining betting activity for sports bettors. Our website is protected by advanced SSL encryption, and we hold a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). Betting at Betsmith is safe, comfortable, and engaging.
