With the Championship producing another sensational campaign at both ends of the table last season, England’s second-tier has cemented its spot as one of European football’s most exciting domestic leagues.
Watching the 2024/25 campaign officially get underway this weekend, all of the Championship’s heavy hitters will be looking to make their own early statements.
In what could prove to be yet another Championship rollercoaster ride this season, we have taken a look at who have been installed as the early title contenders.
Leeds
Suffering heartbreak at Wembley on May 16th as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against Southampton in last season’s play-off final, Leeds fans were clearly left frustrated by what they had billed as a real opportunity to book an immediate Premier League return.
Eventually finishing six points adrift of securing a top-two finish, Daniel Farke’s camp have made it abundantly clear that they have their sights firmly set on going one-step further this time around.
Limping their way over the finishing line as they recorded just a sole victory from any of their final six Championship appearances, the former Norwich boss knows that stability this time around.
Watching both Championship Player of the Season Crysencio Summerville and homegrown talent Archie Gray complete respective moves away from Elland Road this summer, Leeds are getting a new era underway in Yorkshire.
However, getting the 2024/25 campaign underway on Saturday lunchtime when they welcome Championship returners Portsmouth to town, it won’t be a surprise that Farke’s squad are already pencilled in as a runaway title contender this season.
- Leeds Championship outright winner – 7/2 with Pribet
- Leeds to secure a top-two finish – 6/4 with Olympusbet
- Leeds to be promoted – 11/10 with Dachbet
Burnley
While Burnley might have gained plenty of plaudits from across England’s elite last season thanks to their eye-catching approach under Vincent Kompany, the Clarets failed to keep hold of their Premier League status and limped their way to an immediate Championship return.
However, watching Kompany complete what was a sensational move to German giants Bayern Munich this summer, it will be interesting to see what this new era at Turf Moor will look like.
Officially appointing Scott Parker as the man to replace Kompany last month, the ex-England midfielder has not had long to implant his style after squeezing in just a pair of friendly appearances during their summer preparations.
Although the Lancashire-based outfit might open up the new Championship campaign tipped as a leading candidate to chase down Leeds in the title chase, Parker certainly has plenty of pressure on his shoulders.
With the former Fulham boss watching his reputation take a real dent over the past few years, Parker had been out of work since March 2023, having been sacked by Belgian side Club Bruges after winning only two of his 12 games in charge.
- Burnley Championship outright winner – 7/1 Pribet
- Burnley to secure a top-two finish – 11/4 with Olympusbet
- Burnley to be promoted – 15/8 with Dachbet
Luton Town
While Luton might have followed Burnley in getting hit with an immediate Championship return, the Hatters certainly took plenty of positives away from what was a famous Premier League battle at Kenilworth Road.
Really becoming a neutrals favourite and gaining a reputation for their fearless approach under Rob Edwards, the Bedfordshire-based outfit will have plenty of eyes on them as they hope to be battling it out at the opposite end of the table this time around.
Although Luton fans might not have been surprised to see playmaking talisman Ross Barkley extend his stay at Kenilworth Road, the likes of Thomas Kaminski, Teden Mengi, Alfie Doughty, Carlton Morris and Elijah Adebayo have all stayed put so far this summer.
With real optimism in Edwards’ camp as they open the 2024/25 campaign with what promises to be a heavyweight showdown against Burnley on Saturday night, the Hatters will know the importance of finding some crucial defensive steel this season.
Shipping 85 Premier League goals last season and holding the second-worst defensive tally among England’s elite last year, Edwards must find a way to bring some stability to a leaky Luton defence.
- Luton Championship outright winner – 12/1 with Pribet
- Luton to secure a top-two finish – 5/1 with Olympusbet
- Luton to be promoted – 3/1 with Dachbet
