West Ham United sit as clear market leaders for promotion from the 2026/27 EFL Championship, reflecting trader consensus around their retained Premier League squad depth, wage structure, and parachute payments following relegation. Early table leaders Swansea City hold a narrow points edge after 11 matchweeks, yet longer odds reflect questions over squad sustainability across a 46-game campaign. Middlesbrough and Wolverhampton Wanderers occupy strong positions with competitive records, while Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion remain in the play-off picture. Recent results have tightened the top six, with goal difference and home/away splits already separating automatic promotion contenders from those eyeing the Wembley final. Relegated sides’ financial advantages continue to shape implied probabilities for automatic promotion or play-off qualification.