As the 2024/25 Championship season barrels towards a dramatic finish, five clubs find themselves tangled in a high-stakes relegation scrap. With a potential drop to League One looming, clubs like Luton Town, Hull City, Stoke City, Derby County, and Preston North End are separated by just a handful of points and goal difference.
If you’re placing a bet on who might drop, now is the time to do your homework — this article will walk you through the latest Championship relegation odds, final day fixtures, and smart betting angles.
Championship Relegation Odds: What the Bookies Are Saying
Championship relegation odds have tightened dramatically over the past two months. According to leading UK sportsbooks, the bottom of the league remains fluid:
- Luton Town – 4/6 to be relegated
- Preston North End – 13/8
- Derby County – 2/1
- Stoke City – 5/2
- Hull City – 7/2
- Plymouth Argyle – 9/2
Luton’s price has plummeted since March after a string of defeats, while Preston’s odds have shortened considerably following a five-match winless streak. Betting £10 on Preston at 13/8 returns £26.25 if they fall to League One. These odds will swing again following each gameweek — especially with some key six-pointers left to play.
Are Luton Town Facing Back-to-Back Relegations?
After their Premier League drop last year, Luton Town are now staring down a second successive demotion. Currently 22nd with just 44 points and a goal difference of -22, the Hatters have managed just one win in their last eight games. Their final day clash is away at Coventry City, who are still chasing a playoff spot — a nightmare fixture for any side desperate for three points.
Despite a spirited January, the Hatters have slid since a late defeat to Sheffield United derailed their momentum. Bettors may be tempted by Luton at 4/6 to relegate — not much value, but it’s considered a “banker” by most analysts.
Can Hull City Avoid a Late Collapse?
Hull City, sitting 19th, are not yet out of the woods. On 48 points, the Tigers have one of the worst home records in the Championship and have conceded eight goals in their last four matches. They’ll end their season against West Brom, who could still need a win to clinch a playoff spot.
With their current relegation odds at 7/2, Hull might appeal to punters looking for an outside value. If you’re using a free bet, this could be a clever pick — especially considering their poor goal difference (-17) compared to direct rivals.
Stoke City: Do the Potters Have Enough to Survive?
The Stoke City fanbase is nervy, and rightly so. Their odds to go down now hover around 5/2, with just two points separating them from 22nd place. A 3–0 defeat to Leeds United last week exposed deep tactical flaws, and they’ve managed just one clean sheet in their last 10 fixtures.
The final two games — one against playoff-chasing Coventry and another against rejuvenated Plymouth Argyle — could decide everything. Bettors looking for a high-stakes wager might consider Stoke to be relegated at 5/2, especially if you believe their leaky defence will be their undoing.
Derby County: A Nervous Finish at Pride Park
Derby County returned to the Championship in solid fashion, but their form has tailed off alarmingly. Now 21st on 45 points, the Rams have just one win in their last five matches and a goal difference of -13. They’ll wrap up the season against a struggling Bristol City side, but anything less than a win could see them slip into the bottom three.
With odds of 2/1 to be relegated, a £10 bet returns £30. Derby and Stoke are priced closely in most sportsbooks, with many punters treating this as a straight shootout between the two.
Preston North End: Falling Fast?
Preston North End looked safe in March but are now deep in trouble. The North End have lost four of their last five and sit 20th on 46 points, with a worse goal difference than all teams around them. A final match against Luton could be a winner-takes-all decider.
At 13/8 to go down, Preston might offer one of the best betting tips in terms of value. Their form, coupled with low scoring (just 2 goals in their last 5 games), suggests they’re lacking the firepower for a dramatic turnaround.
Final Day Fixtures: Who Plays Who?
The final day of the Championship is packed with must-watch games. Here are the fixtures for each relegation-threatened club:
- Luton vs. Coventry City
- Preston vs. Luton (penultimate game)
- Stoke vs. Plymouth Argyle
- Hull vs. West Brom
- Derby vs. Bristol City
The most important of these is Preston vs. Luton — a classic six-pointer. Expect betting markets to spike in activity around that game in particular.
Goal Difference: The Hidden Relegation Decider
The goal difference stat has been decisive in previous Championship seasons. Hull and Derby currently have superior goal difference compared to Luton and Preston. For reference:
- Luton: -22
- Preston: -18
- Derby: -13
- Stoke: -15
- Hull: -17
A heavy defeat on the final day could easily tip one of these clubs into the drop zone. Punters should monitor these figures as closely as form.
Best Football Bets and Betting Strategies: Who Offers Value?
If you’re after value:
- Preston to go down at 13/8 is one of the best short-range odds.
- Stoke at 5/2 is attractive if you think they’ll lose both remaining fixtures.
- Hull at 7/2 is a smart £10 bet if you’re chasing high-risk, high-reward plays.
- Derby at 2/1 is ideal for a free bet promotion.
Each of these options reflects the current volatility of the Championship relegation battle. Consider betting across multiple markets (e.g. bottom-three finish, exact finishing position, final day correct scores) for better coverage.
The Broader Picture: Playoff and Championship Title Ripple Effects
The Championship title and playoff races have indirect effects on the bottom. Teams like Leeds United, West Brom, and Coventry City are all involved in top-six battles, which raises the stakes for their opponents — namely Hull, Luton, and Stoke.
For instance, Leeds will push hard against any team with nothing left to play for. That increases the chance of back-to-back defeats for bottom-half teams, and savvy bettors should keep an eye on fixture lists ahead of the final match week.
Bullet Point Summary of Key Insights
- Luton are odds-on at 4/6 for relegation — low value but highly probable.
- Preston and Derby offer better returns at 13/8 and 2/1 respectively.
- Stoke City’s 5/2 odds make them a tempting outsider for the drop.
- Hull City, while slightly safer, have a brutal final fixture vs. West Brom.
- Final day fixtures include several relegation six-pointers — most notably Preston vs. Luton.
- Goal difference is likely to be a key deciding factor, especially between Preston and Derby.
- Use free bet offers on high-odds selections like Hull or Stoke.
- Playoff chasers like Coventry and Leeds make it harder for relegation battlers to find points.
- A £10 bet on Derby or Stoke could return £30–£35 depending on bookies.
- Monitor injuries and line-ups ahead of the final day of the Championship season.
If you’d like, I can add bookmaker logos, tables with updated odds, or weekly updates as the final rounds unfold — just let me know.
