West Ham United and Wolverhampton Wanderers, both recently relegated from the Premier League, top early 2026-27 Championship promotion odds alongside Middlesbrough, reflecting strong squad depth and immediate bounce-back potential after dropping into the second tier. Swansea City lead the table after eight matchdays, while Middlesbrough and West Bromwich Albion occupy playoff spots under the newly expanded six-team format that sends fifth through eighth into eliminators. Recent form, goal difference, and fixture congestion will shape automatic promotion races for the top two, with the playoff final at Wembley deciding the third spot. Rivalry derbies and squad injuries remain key variables traders monitor as the 46-game schedule unfolds.