Oxford United amongst competitive bookies

Leicester City are the early favourites to win promotion from League One next season as Oxford United also look to bounce back to the Championship.

The U's suffered relegation last time round, finishing 22nd in the second tier to see themselves drop to League One alongside Leicester and Sheffield Wednesday.

Matt Bloomfield's side saw an upturn in form from March onwards before a couple of late losses sealed the Yellows' fate in their second successive Championship campaign.

Oxford will be hoping they can compete at the top end of the third tier in 2026/27 and secure a swift return to England's second division.

It is expected that the three relegated sides will challenge in some capacity next term whilst threats from elsewhere will arise in the likes of Bloomfield's former team Luton Town, play-off finalists Stockport County, and Tom Cleverley's Plymouth Argyle.

Oxford United v Charlton Athletic - Sky Bet Championship 2025/26 (Image: Jason Dawson)

Early promotion odds currently tip Leicester (4/5 with Boyle Sports) as the most likely to be promoted.

The Foxes won the Premier League just 10 years ago and the FA Cup five years ago but they were demoted to the third tier under ex-Oxford head coach Gary Rowett.

With players on astronomical wages for the division and financial troubles seeming likely, Leicester are somewhat of an unknown at this stage despite the size of the club and the bookmakers' odds.

Wednesday are the second favourites (9/4) despite an awful season last year due to their ownership problems.

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The Milk Cup trophy is paraded at Oxford United on its 40th anniversary (Image: Jason Dawson)

However, there is a renewed sense of hope around the club with new owners now in place but there is still a lot of work to be done to get the club moving again.

Luton, Stockport and Plymouth make up the next three most likely to win promotion.

After a slow start to the campaign which saw Bloomfield relieved of his duties in October, former Arsenal and England midfielder Jack Wilshere led the Hatters (3/1) to EFL Trophy victory at Wembley and a seventh-placed finish, missing out on the play-offs by a single point.

Matt Bloomfield in charge of Luton Town last season (Image: Bradley Collyer/PA Wire)

Stockport (4/1) suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat to Bolton Wanderers in the play-off final and have since replaced successful manager Dave Challinor with Rochdale's promotion-winning boss Jimmy McNulty.

Plymouth (9/2) narrowly missed out on the top six last term, finishing eighth, two points from sixth.

Huddersfield Town are of the same odds (9/2), before Oxford United enter the mix, also at odds of 9/2.

The U's currently have a solid core of contracted players, including both experience and exciting youth, but have clear work to do in certain positions if they are to seriously challenge.

Just below United are newly-promoted and financially-strong MK Dons (4/1) who will back themselves to challenge, whilst play-off semi-finalists Bradford City are tipped at 5/1.