The Championship campaign is due to get underway in just a few weeks time, following a delayed start to the 2020/21 season.
Last season’s extension to the campaign following the three-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus crisis caused widespread disruption for the EFL, with the Championship being the only division out of three played to completion.
The plan is for things to return to normal this campaign, with plenty of midweek action to fit all the fixtures in before the planned finish at the usual date at the end of May.
A fresh season means a fresh chance for every club in the division, with 23 sides all starting with a clean slate - the only exception being Sheffield Wednesday due to their 12-point deduction.
However, it’s Brentford and Watford who are the early favourites to clinch promotion, the latest odds from The Pools show, with the pair both given a price of 11/5 to secure a rise to the Premier League.
Following relegation from the top-flight last season, Norwich City and Bournemouth are both priced at 5/2, while Stoke City are 15/4 and Nottingham Forest are 9/2 alongside Cardiff City.
Swansea City are priced at 5/1, ahead of Middlesbrough and Millwall at 11/2, while Derby County are 6/1.
At the other end of the spectrum, Rotherham and Wycombe are seen as the most unlikely to enjoy a promotion winning campaign, while Sheffield Wednesday are 16/1 to fight back from their points deficit.
2020/21 promotion odds
Brentford - 11/5
Watford - 11/5
Norwich City - 5/2
Bournemouth - 5/2
Stoke City - 15/4
Nottingham Forest - 9/2
Cardiff City - 9/2
Swansea City - 5/1
Middlesbrough - 11/2
Millwall - 11/2
Derby County - 6/1
Preston - 13/2
Huddersfield Town - 7/1
Bristol City - 8/1
Blackburn Rovers - 8/1
Birmingham City - 9/1
Reading - 10/1
Barnsley - 10/1
QPR - 10/1
Luton Town - 11/1
Coventry City - 14/1
Sheffield Wednesday - 16/1
Rotherham United - 20/1
Wycombe Wanderers - 28/1
