The 2025/26 EFL Championship season is finally here, promising another rollercoaster campaign with a number of storylines set to unravel.
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While the promotion race grabs headlines, one of the most thrilling betting markets is the top scorer - often unpredictable, but hugely popular.
Southampton’s Cameron Archer is the bookmakers’ favourite to finish as the Championship golden boot winner this time. However, there is stiff competition.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the main contenders for the top scorer award in the upcoming Championship team.
Cameron Archer Championship top scorer betting odds
Cameron Archer starts the new season as one of the top picks to win the Golden Boot, priced at 9/1 on Bet365. After a difficult spell for Southampton in the Premier League, Archer returns to the Championship where his reputation for pacy runs behind defences and clinical finishing was forged.
Last time he played a full Championship season, Archer hit double figures (11 goals in 20 starts) at a young age and continually threatened with his movement. Although goals proved harder to come by in the 2024/25 Premier League (just four in 15 matches), a return to regular starts, greater supply, and a drop in opposition quality could see him rediscover his prolific touch.
He’ll likely be Southampton’s focal point, benefiting from new signings and creative midfielders. Fitness will be key, but if Archer stays sharp, he’ll be hard to stop.
George Hirst Championship top scorer betting odds
George Hirst is expected to lead the line for Ipswich Town and be this year’s breakout scorer, who hope to bounce back to the Premier League at the first attempt.
Hirst’s all-round forward play; strong in the air, unselfish, and smart in his movement, makes him a regular fixture in attack. His odds on Bet365 is 7/1 which could prove to be a valuable option.
Though his previous Championship campaigns delivered modest returns (7 goals in 67 matches), his finishing improved during stints in League One, notably hitting 19 goals combined two seasons with Portsmouth and Ipswich. Kieran McKenna attack may suit his style as he is poised to receive more minutes with the departure of Liam Delap.
Jay Stansfield Championship top scorer betting odds
Jay Stansfield’s development was one of last season’s League One highlights. He netted 19 league goals (10 from open play, nine penalties) in 2,683 minutes, showing a natural striker’s instinct and composure under pressure.
Birmingham’s gameplan caters for his strengths, and with penalty duties nailed down, Stansfield could better his tally this term if the Blues keep creating high-quality chances.
Bookmakers expect the young Englishman to push on with odds of 9/1 on Bet365, and his upward trajectory suggests he has the ingredients for a 20-plus goal season if he avoids injury and retains spot-kick responsibilities.
Adam Armstrong Championship top scorer betting odds
Adam Armstrong is a familiar name in the Championship’s top scorer race, a lethal finisher and reliable penalty taker, now part of a Southampton side fancied to challenge for promotion.
Armstrong only scored 3 goals in 16 Championship outings for West Brom last season but regularly hit double figures in the division for Blackburn Rovers and Southampton.
His energy, pressing, and confidence from the spot make him a dual threat. You can back the English forward at 12/1 on Bet365. A full campaign with regular starts and strong supply lines from the Saints’ creative players could see Armstrong contend for the Golden Boot once again.
Sammie Szmodics Championship top scorer betting odds
What are the odds Sammie Szmodics can retain his crown upon returning to the Championship? Well, on Bet365 the 29-year-old is priced at 14/1 to repeat his feat in the 2023/24 season when he bagged a sensational 27 goals to win golden boot.
Szmodics enters the season with proven pedigree. His movement in the box and late arrivals for second balls made him a nightmare for defenders. Ipswich have rallied around their talisman, giving him license to exploit spaces around the area.
Even in a difficult Premier League campaign, Szmodics scored 4 goals in 13 starts and if he gets into rhythm early, his odds could tumble fast. A lot will depend on how well Ipswich starts but he’s shown he knows exactly what it takes to lead this race.
Ross Stewart Championship top scorer betting odds
Ross Stewart has endured injury setbacks, but when fit he is a proven Championship marksman. He notched 10 goals from just 17 appearances in a standout spell in the division for Sunderland before a serious layoff.
Nowadays, he is with Southampton and is working his way back up slowly. Last season, he managed 12 appearances for the Saints in the Premier League. If you’re a risk taker, you can bank on Stewart’s odds on Bet365 of @25/1.
His aerial ability is unmatched among contenders, making him a threat from set pieces and crosses. If he gets a run of starts and his new club builds their attack around his strengths, Stewart could mount an outsider’s challenge for the top scorer crown.
Haji Wright Championship top scorer betting odds
If Frank Lampard starts this season in the same vein he ended the last, then Coventry City could be the team to watch.
One of the team’s bright spots, Haji Wright, impressed for Coventry last season scoring 12 goals in 29 Championship matches.
While Wright’s minutes per goal (one every 178 minutes) and shot accuracy (over 51%) are above average, a sustained run as main striker could see him exceed last year’s tally. Wright is less favoured than some rivals reflecting in his huge odds of @20/1 on Bet365.
Championship 2025/26 top scorer betting odds
Here are the current Championship 2025/26 top goalscorer betting odds available on the bet365 website and mobile app today:
Odds courtesy of bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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The odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change