Championship Top Yorkshire Club Odds: Leeds United odds-on favourites

Liam Williams Updated: 01 Aug 24 09:04

Leeds United are favourites to win the Championship this season after their play-off heartbreak last time out, and it's hard to make a case against them going up at the second time of asking.

As such, they're odds-on favourites at 4/11 to be the top Yorkshire club in the Championship in 2024/25 in a four-way market.

Last season's three relegated teams - of which Leeds were one - looked a cut above the rest of the division with the exception of Ipswich who gatecrashed the party to secure automatic promotion, and with the most recent crop of relegated sides not looking as strong, Leeds should be well primed for promotion.

If there is a case to be made against the Whites, though, it's in their summer transfer activity. Despite his tender age, Archie Gray will be a significant loss, with Glen Kamara also departing Elland Road. Crysencio Summerville was outstanding last season in winning Championship Player of the Season having bagged 21 goals, and he looks set for a move to the Premier League, while Willy Gnonto may also leave West Yorkshire.

Daniel Farke has strengthened his squad with the likes of Joe Rodon, Jayden Bogle and Joe Rothwell, and while the big-money departures give Leeds some money to play with, they do need to be mindful of FFP restrictions.

If Leeds do fall short of expectations this term, Sheffield United look best placed to capitalise amongst their Yorkshire rivals, priced at 7/2 to be top Yorkshire club. There's always a bit of movement following a relegation, and the Blades have lost Cameron Archer, with the likes of Oli McBurnie, Wes Foderingham and Bogle also leaving Bramall Lane, but the arrivals look promising. Harrison Burrows arrives from Peterborough, Kieffer Moore will bolster the front-line after an impressive loan spell with Ipswich, while Callum O'Hare arrives on a free transfer from Coventry.

In Chris Wilder, the Blades have a manager who's taken them to the top flight before, and anything worse than a play-off finish will be a huge disappointment.

Hull City are third favourites at 10/1 having narrowly missed out on the play-offs last season. Liam Rosenior was rather harshly dismissed, albeit less because of results and more because of a difference of opinion regarding playing style between manager and owner.

The Tigers will be one of the most fascinating teams to watch when the new season gets underway, with German Tim Walter bringing his high-risk style of play to Humberside. While it may backfire, and few fans can expect instant results, there's every chance it sees Hull take that next step and break into the top six come the end of the season.

Sheffield Wednesday are the outsiders in the market at 14/1 after a turbulent few seasons. In their last four campaigns, the Owls have been relegated, lost a play-off semi-final, won a play-off final, and narrowly avoided relegation, but the appointment of Danny Rohl looks to have steadied the ship.

Following the German's appointment, Wednesday picked up 1.43 points per game - easily enough for a top-half finish - but from the start of December, Wednesday amassed 46 points from 28 games - enough to rank them sixth in the league.

Promotion may still be a step too far, but it should be a much less nerve-wracking campaign than the Hillsborough faithful have been used to in recent years.