The Championship Playoffs are about to get in full swing
Championship Odds: Who are favourites for Playoff Glory?
*Odds correct as of 8th May 2025
The Race to the Premier League: Bookies Weigh In
As the Championship playoffs roll around once more, that familiar mix of hope, dread and questionable optimism grips football fans up and down the country. Supporters and punters alike are deep in thought (and probably deeper in spreadsheets), trying to figure out which of the hopeful quartet will seize the golden ticket to the Premier League.
The bookmakers, never ones to shy away from predicting the unpredictable, have declared their favourites. Leading the betting bonanza are Sheffield United. But, as any seasoned Championship watcher will tell you, what the bookies fancy and what actually unfolds on the pitch are often about as closely related as chalk and cheese.
And for those partial to a little flutter, Betrino are doing their bit to heighten the drama with Bet £25 Get £50 in Free Bets offer. Because let’s be honest – if you can’t guarantee your team’s success, at least you can give your betting slip a fighting chance!
Sheffield United: The Pundits’ Pick but Playoff Phobics?
Sheffield United have sliced their way to the top of the playoff betting market with odds of 7/4. This has prompted a wave of wagers – Freebetting.co.uk reports that a hefty 42% of bets since Monday have backed them to go all the way.
It’s not difficult to see why. Despite a pesky two-point deduction, the Blades wrapped up third place with a weighty 90 points. They ended the regular season with a gap of 22 points over sixth-placed Bristol City – a margin large enough to park several double-decker buses side by side.
Yet, not all that glitters is goal-scoring form. Their recent performances have been something of a mixed bag, registering two wins, two losses and a draw in their last five matches. Fans may have memorised the recent form sequence – LWLWD – though whether they recite it with pride or trepidation is another matter entirely.
Then there’s the small matter of history. Sheffield United’s playoff record is, frankly, woeful. They’ve failed in all nine previous attempts to seal promotion via this particular route. If footballing ghosts exist, Bramall Lane is surely haunted by a few. Despite topping the odds, the weight of history may yet prove the Blades’ most stubborn opponent.
Sunderland: A Slippery Slope at the Worst Possible Moment
Priced up at 3/1, Sunderland’s odds suggest they remain contenders. Their recent form, however, tells a gloomier tale. The Black Cats have stumbled into the playoffs with the grace of a drunk uncle at a wedding, suffering five consecutive defeats.
That’s right – the recent form reads LLLLL. Not so much “marching into the playoffs” as “tripping over the threshold”.
Momentum is everything at this time of year. And sadly for Sunderland, their momentum is currently on a par with a shopping trolley stuck in a pothole.
Coventry City: Lampard’s Sky Blues – Brave but Bumpy
Coventry City, under the starry (if somewhat unpredictable) management of Frank Lampard, are third favourites at 10/3. They secured fifth place courtesy of a gritty win over Middlesbrough and now eye an unexpected playoff triumph.
Their recent form has been more of a patchwork quilt than a seamless run – two wins, one draw and two defeats (DWLLW). Consistency? Not so much. Resilience? Absolutely. Under Lampard’s watch, the Sky Blues have become experts at digging deep, a quality that could prove priceless in the high-pressure cauldron of playoff football.
Coventry fans might not always know what to expect from their side, but they do know this: in the playoffs, grit often outshines glitter.
Bristol City: Outsiders Armed with Home Comforts
The Robins round off the playoff quartet with odds of 5/1. Bristol City only just squeaked into sixth spot, thanks to a nervy final-day draw.
Their recent form – DWLLD – won’t have struck fear into many opponents. But there’s one statistic that should give rivals pause: Bristol City are unbeaten in their last eight matches at Ashton Gate. Their home turf has become something of a fortress, with visiting teams often finding themselves wishing they’d stayed on the coach.
If the Robins can channel that home advantage into their playoff performances, they might just ruffle a few feathers.
The Curious Case for Third Place: A Statisticians’ Delight
For those who enjoy finding patterns in the beautiful game (and let’s face it, football fans can be a superstitious lot), the past two decades offer a little light reading – and perhaps a glimmer of hope for Sheffield United supporters.
Since 2005, no fewer than 45% of teams finishing third have gone on to secure promotion via the playoffs. Compare that with a mere 15% for both fourth and sixth place, and 25% for those who finish fifth.
So, if you’re a Blades fan, the stats are firmly on your side. If you’re backing anyone else… well, Betrino’s tempting offer might soften the blow of history being against you.
Betting Patterns: Blades Backed but Doubters Linger
While Sheffield United currently enjoy both the shortest odds and the lion’s share of the betting volume, caution remains the watchword. The Championship playoffs have a nasty habit of shredding both form books and betting slips alike.
Freebetting.co.uk’s figures confirm the Blades’ popularity with punters, but Coventry (35%), Bristol City (13%) and even the beleaguered Sunderland (10%) have all attracted backers. It seems that, for every sensible wager, there’s a daring soul ready to bet against the favourites – perhaps hoping that Sheffield United’s playoff curse will extend its unwelcome stay.
Closing Thoughts: Buckle Up for Playoff Pandemonium
The 2025 Championship playoffs promise all the classic ingredients: drama, desperation, dodgy VAR calls, and possibly a few managerial meltdowns thrown in for good measure.
Sheffield United may boast the stats, the squad and the betting support. But with history and recent wobbles clouding their path, Blades fans might find themselves watching from behind the sofa.
Coventry, Bristol City and the stuttering Sunderland will each fancy their chances of playing the role of giant-killer. Because in the playoffs, form can crumble, favourites can fall, and fairytales can be forged from the most unlikely scripts.
And for those brave enough to have a punt, Betrino’s Bet £25 Get £50 in Free Bets could add a little spice to the proceedings. Just remember – keep a defibrillator handy. Championship playoff season is not for the faint-hearted.
