While the Premier League boasts its best finish in recent memory, the Championship race features a similarly thrilling conclusion.
Just like the top flight, there are three clubs all within a single point as the regular season nears a conclusion and the playoff beckons. Ipswich Town lead the standings, and while Leicester City still control their own destiny in the title race thanks to their game in hand, they’ve exhausted all their remaining wiggle room while floundering to finish the season.
Add in the presence of Southampton and Norwich City who loom as a formidable playoff opponent, and things are getting tight as the season nears a conclusion.
The Sporting News breaks down the coming narrow finish which is anyone’s game with four matches to go, and automatic promotion to the richest league in the world at stake.
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Prediction, odds for 2024 EFL Championship title
All three clubs in the title hunt have shown recent frailties. Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and Leeds have all dropped points through the start of April, making this title race anybody’s game.
Leeds are mired in the worst form of the three, having won just one of their last five after beginning 2024 with 12 wins and a draw in 13 games. The Foxes haven’t been much better, as a three-game losing streak to end February hasn’t been fully reversed, now having lost two more in a row through mid-April.
Ipswich had won eight of nine through February and March, putting them in the mix to capitalise, but they dropped points in two straight in early April to fall short of controlling their own destiny. The Tractor Boys lead the table, but Leicester City have a game in hand to close out the year.
2024 EFL Championship title odds
Championship standings updated as of full-time results on Sunday, April 14. Odds updated as of Monday, April 15.
Pos | Club | GP | Pts | W-L-D | GD | Title Odds (BetMGM) |
1. | Ipswich Town | 43 | 89 | 26-11-6 | +32 | +333 |
2. | Leicester City | 42 | 88 | 28-4-10 | +41 | -190 |
3. | Leeds United | 43 | 87 | 26-9-8 | +42 | +600 |
4. | Southampton | 41 | 81 | 24-9-8 | +27 | +2000 |
2024 EFL Championship title prediction
While Leicester City appear more vulnerable than at any point this season, the other clubs don’t seem to be able to pull ahead, and their game in hand remains key with just five matches left in the season. Their firepower seems to be waning, but the defensive solidity gives them a chance every single time out.
Still, they’ve wasted all their room for error, and can’t afford any more slips with Ipswich Town putting on the pressure.
Prediction: Leicester City (-200 on BetMGM)
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Prediction, odds for Premier League promotion from Championship
One of Leicester City, Leeds United, and Ipswich Town are going to be left to fight it out in the playoffs, and the rest of the field has to prove they can do the business against whoever is the odd club out. It felt as if Leicester City and Leeds controlled the top of the table for much of the season, but both have struggled to close out the year.
Leeds and Southampton meet on the final day of the season in a game which could determine the fate of both clubs, while West Brom and Norwich City also seem destined for the playoff.
2024 Premier League promotion odds
Pos | Club | GP | Pts | W-L-D | GD | Title Odds (BetMGM) |
1. | Ipswich Town | 43 | 89 | 26-11-6 | +32 | -250 |
2. | Leicester City | 42 | 88 | 28-4-10 | +41 | -1000 |
3. | Leeds United | 43 | 87 | 26-9-8 | +42 | -190 |
4. | Southampton | 41 | 81 | 24-9-8 | +27 | +120 |
5. | West Brom | 43 | 72 | 24-9-8 | +24 | +700 |
6. | Norwich City | 43 | 71 | 21-8-14 | +16 | +500 |
7. | Hull City | 42 | 65 | 18-11-13 | +8 | +5000 |
8. | Coventry City | 42 | 63 | 17-12-13 | +14 | +4000 |
9. | Middlesbrough | 43 | 63 | 18-9-16 | +5 | +50,000 |
10. | Preston North End | 42 | 63 | 18-9-15 | -1 | +50,000 |
2024 Premier League promotion prediction
Ipswich Town have put themselves in prime position to snatch automatic promotion, but have work to do as their remaining four fixtures include three from inside the Championship top 10. Still, Leeds United have lost control of their own destiny, and as they flounder to finish the year, a playoff challenge could prove damaging.
Norwich City, meanwhile, have proven themselves a force in 2024. They topped Ipswich town in early April and have just three defeats and four draws amidst 18 matches in the new year. American forward Josh Sargent is in sensational form since returning from his long-term injury in late December, with 12 league goals just in 2024 alone.
Norwich are a dangerous playoff participant, and the value is there to back them to win the final promotion spot.
Prediction: Leicester City (-1000 on BetMGM), Ipswich Town (-250 on BetMGM), Norwich City (+500 on BetMGM)
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