Championship table predicted as clear favourites named and shock Salford RLFC verdict given

The Championship season kicks off this weekend, and with that, the bookmakers have decided their odds as to who they think will lift the title at the end of the year.

The now 20-team league will run for 24 rounds, before a five-week play-off structure, the format of which was announced earlier this week, will determine who competes in the Championship Grand Final.

Toulouse Olympique were victorious last year, whilst York Knights topped the table. Bradford Bulls finished in third, but ultimately all three of them would achieve promotion to the expanded Super League competition.

Featherstone Rovers should have been in the division, making it a 21-team league, however they were denied a place due to their financial and ownership issues during the off-season.

So, who do Betfred think will be victorious at the end of the year?

Outright Championship odds

Well, like the vast majority of fans, they have London Broncos as favourites, with Jason Demetriou’s side priced at 2/9. The Broncos are looking to emulate the likes of Leigh Leopards and Wakefield Trinity in building a squad ready for Super League before they are in the division.

The battle for the top four is expected to be a lot tighter though, and in those places at the end of the season will be Oldham, Halifax Panthers and Widnes Vikings, according to Betfred, who are the second tier’s main sponsors.

The Roughyeds are second favourite, priced at 10/3, whilst Fax and Widnes are tied as third most-likely at 14/1, suggesting there will be an entertaining end to the Championship campaign.

Salford RLFC have been named as fifth favourite, and have been priced at 18/1 despite the inexperience of their newly-formed squad. Mike Grady’s side got off to a losing start in their opening game against Oldham, whereby they were defeated 44-0.

Rounding out the top 10, and effectively making up the rest of the play-off spots, Betfred think will be Sheffield Eagles (22/1), Doncaster (25/1), Newcastle Thunder, Barrow Raiders (both 33/1) and Batley Bulldogs (40/1).

It would be a huge effort for Thunder to make the finals, given they finished bottom of League One in 2025, although with a hugely improved squad and, on paper, the easiest fixture list, it could mean they clinch a top half place.

Just missing out on the finals, Betfred have North Wales Crusaders (50/1), Midlands Hurricanes and Swinton Lions (both 66/1) , all of whom were in the third tier last year. North Wales actually finished the season as Champions, meaning they would have been promoted to the Championship regardless.

Hunslet and Dewsbury Rams are next up, priced at 80/1, whilst Goole Vikings, Whitehaven and Rochdale Hornets are all labelled at 100/1.

Rounding out the division, Betfred think Keighley Cougars will finish bottom of the table, and have priced them at 125/1.

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