The full Championship line-up for next season is confirmed - and bookies are backing Ipswich Town to mount another promotion push.
Sheffield Wednesday grabbed the final spot in the 2023/24 second tier yesterday, beating Barnsley 1-0 with virtually the last kick of the match in the League One Play-Off Final at Wembley Stadium.
They join Town and Plymouth as the promoted sides heading up to the Championship, while Leicester City, Leeds United and Southampton are dropping down from the Premier League.
And recent Premier League champions Leicester are the early favourites with bookies to win the league and bounce straight back up next season.
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Sky Bet have the Foxes at 5/1 to lift the second tier title, followed by Leeds at 11/2.
Fellow relegated side Southampton are 10/1, the same odds as Middlesbrough.
Then come Town as fourth favourites at 14/1, level with old rivals Norwich City plus Watford and West Brom.
Stoke City and Sunderland round out the list as joint-fifth favourites at 20/1.
Town are also joint-fourth favourites to be promoted at 4/1, again tied with Norwich, Watford and West Brom.
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The Blues are also listed as 15/8 to finish in the top six.
While the Championship looks to be as tough as ever next season, Town's place among the early favourites reflects the momentum and trajectory of the club after a spectacular promotion season.
Asked recently if the Blues would challenge for promotion again next season, CEO Mark Ashton vowed: "It will be a season of progression for sure.
"We’re well-backed and like all the clubs there are financial fair play controls in place, profit and sustainability rules that we have to adhere to."
He added: "We have a model and we’ll stick to the model.
"I expect us to attack the Championship well and continue to buy good players that give Kieran McKenna the best opportunity to be competitive."
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