The much anticipated 2026/27 EFL Championship campaign will commence on the weekend of Friday 14th to Monday 17th August and William Hill News look at the race to be top goal scorer in the second tier.
Supporters’ renewed optimism is reflected in football betting across every team, especially since the number of slots for competing in the Play-Offs will expand to six. But what about goalscorers? After all, goals win games.
Here is my considered analysis of the potential five leading marksmen to assist your Championship betting…
Championship Top Scorer Odds 2026/27:
Punters can bet on the top goal scorer in the 2026/27 Championship at William Hill and here is the current state of the market:
- Jarrod Bowen – 11/2
- Raul Jimenez – 7/1
- Will Lankshear – 10/1
- Valentin Casellanos – 10/1
- Niclas Fullkrug – 12/1
- Bar – 14/1
Jarrod Bowen
The news that Bowen is staying at West Ham United is a huge boost in their bid to achieve automatic promotion back to top flight football at the first attempt.
This was announced on 17th July when Bowen said: “West Ham belong in the Premier League so my main motivation is to help guide the team up there again straight away. This club really means a lot to me and I will never hide from anything or shirk the blame.
“Relegation hurt everyone and so it should. In years to come I see myself as a Hammers fan. I have gained so much affection for West Ham over the years. I like to think I possess the character of a supporter playing for our first team.”
However, dropping into the Championship means Bowen is unlikely to add to his 22 England caps over the forthcoming campaign.
Predicted goals: 25
Raul Jimenez
On 9th June, Jimenez returned to Wolverhampton Wanderers as a free agent after his contract expired at Fulham. He penned a two year deal including an extension option for one further year at Molineux where he previously played with distinction between 2018 and 2023.
Wolves executive chairman Nathan Shi said: “It is a truly special moment to bring Raul back here. He is one of the finest strikers ever to pull on our famous gold and black shirt.
“Raul embodies everything which defines Wolves and he created some of the greatest memories in our recent history.”
Then in the summer World Cup, Jimenez scored three goals in four appearances for joint-hosts Mexico incorporating a crisp 69th minute penalty in their 3-2 defeat against England at the Azteca Stadium.
Predicted goals: 23
Will Lankshear
He enjoyed a successful loan spell in the second tier at Oxford United last season and delivered 12 goals for a struggling, eventually relegated team.
Lankshear subsequently moved from parent club Tottenham Hotspur to Middlesbrough on 22nd July for £10 million plus performance related add-ons. It is the stand-out Championship signing of the summer in my opinion.
Lankshear said: “I believe this is the best time of my career so I’m ready to hit the ground running to help Middlesbrough. I am joining a massive club who I feel are definitely a Premier League outfit.
“The whole project excites me. I can’t wait to get started and be part of the journey to push Boro to where it belongs.”
Predicted goals: 23
Adam Armstrong
Armstrong switched from Southampton to Wolves in February 2026 for £7 million. But relegation to the Championship by a 21 point margin ensued.
Speaking this week, Armstrong said: “I never set myself targets going into a new season so that I can play with no pressure. Of course, I remain confident I am going to score goals for Wolves.
“We need to get promoted though and we hope to win the Championship title in view of the squad we’ve got. We must put relegation behind us and move onwards because we all have the same aim.
“Everyone in our dressing room wants to be in the Premier League and I am no different. Therefore we will all be driving it forward together.”
Predicted goals: 22
Rumarn Burrell
I’ve named him here due to his fantastic potential at Championship level. He has blistering pace and is a natural finisher.
Burrell joined Queens Park Rangers from Burton Albion a year ago and netted 10 goals in 22 starts for the R’s up until 4th January when he suffered a nasty hamstring injury whilst stooping for a diving header against Sheffield Wednesday at Matrade Loftus Road.
A three month spell on the sidelines followed. I would love to see how many goals Burrell could rack up in a full, injury free campaign operating in Rangers’ favoured two man frontline alongside target man Richard Kone.
Predicted goals: 20
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
