Welcome to the second in our series of articles for the forthcoming league season in England, and in this article, we are focusing on the teams competing in League One. It promises ti be an exciting season in this division which is a real mix of very big teams and some of the minnows more used to life at League Two level. As such, this can be a tough division for newly promoted teams to do well in. As always, the odds shown in this article are brought to you by bet365 Sport and were up to date as of Monday 2^nd August 2021. Remember too, if you live in the United States, you can get great soccer betting throughout the season at BetRivers Sportsbook. Let’s now take a look at the season ahead of us in what should be a competitive League One campaign.

League One Preview

AFC Wimbledon

• Last Season’s Record – 19^th in League One – (51 pts, -16 GD)
• Manager: Mark Robertson
• Top Players: Alex Woodyard (MC), Ollie Palmer (AC), Anthony Hartigan (MC), Daniel Csoka (DL)
• League Two Winner Odds: 66/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Plough Lane (9,300)

I can’t see much more other than another season of struggle against the drop for Wimbledon this year, and this may be the year that their luck runs out. Prediction – 23rd

Accrington Stanley

• Last Season’s Record – 11^th in League One – (67 pts, -5 GD)
• Manager: John Coleman
• Top Players: Seamus Conneely (MC), Cameron Burgess (DC), Sean McConville (MLC), Lewis Mansell (AC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 50/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Wham Stadium (5,450)

Stanley have a solid squad and very good manager at this level, not quite good enough to push on up the table, but should be safe in mid-table. Prediction – 12th

Bolton Wanderers

• Last Season’s Record – 3^rd in League Two (Promoted) – (79 pts, +9 GD)
• Manager: Ian Evatt
• Top Players: Lloyd Isgrove (MRC), Ricardo Santos (DC), Eoin Doyle (AC), Antoni Sarcevic (MC), Kieran Lee (MLC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 16/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): University of Bolton Stadium (28,723)

After a tumultuous period over the last few years, Bolton will have to settle for a season of solidifying their team in the division and I think they’ll do that comfortably. Prediction – 13th

Burton Albion

• Last Season’s Record – 16^th in League One – (57pts, -12 GD)
• Manager: Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
• Top Players: John Brayford (DR), Michael Bostwick (DC), Lucas Akins (AC), Michael Mancienne (DC), Danny Rowe (AC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 33/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Pirelli Stadium (6,912)

This could be a tough year for Burton as I think they will be one of the teams embroiled in the battle against relegation to league two. But they may just survive. Prediction – 20th

Cambridge United

• Last Season’s Record – 2^nd in League Two (promoted) – (80pts, +24 GD)
• Manager: Mark Bonner
• Top Players: Greg Taylor (DC), Wes Hoolahan (MLC), Adam May (MRC), Sam Smith (AC), Harrison Dunk (MLC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 100/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Abbey Stadium (8,127)

Having seen their top goalscorer leave for Wrexham and not too many new faces brought, in, this could be a quick return to League Two for Cambridge. Prediction – 24th

Charlton Athletic

• Last Season’s Record – 7^th in League One – (74 pts, +14 GD)
• Manager: Nigel Adkins
• Top Players: Chris Gunter (DR), Adam Matthews (DL), Jake Forster-Caskey (MC), Jayden Stockley (AC), Ben Watson (MC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 12/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): The Valley (27,111)

A solid, experienced squad and a manager who has a superb record at this level. Charlton should be challenging for automatic promotion but may have to settle for the playoffs. Prediction – 4^th

Cheltenham Town

• Last Season’s Record – 1^st in League Two (promoted) – (82 pts, +22 GD)
• Manager: Michael Duff
• Top Players: Alfie May (AC), Ben Tozer (DC), Liam Sercombe (MC), Conor Thomas (MRC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 80/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Jonny-Rocks Stadium (7,066)

Not a big fan of how Cheltenham play the game and while their long ball tactics may work in League Two, I think they will be found out in League One and will struggle as a result. Prediction – 21st

Crewe Alexandra

• Last Season’s Record – 12^th in League One – (66 pts, -5 GD)
• Manager: David Artell
• Top Players: Chris Porter (AC), Donervon Daniels (DC), Chris Long (AC), Callum McFadzean (DLC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 40/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Gresty Road (10,153)

I think Crewe are a limbo tea, – not good enough to push on towards the playoffs and promotion spots, but also not so weak as to be embroiled in the relegation battle. Mid table looms. Prediction – 14th

Doncaster Rovers

• Last Season’s Record – 14^th in League Two – (64 pts, -4 GD)
• Manager: Richie Wellens
• Top Players: Omar Bogle (AMRC), Feji Okenabirhie (AC), John Bostock (MC), Cameron John (DLC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 33/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Keepmoat Stadium (15,231)

For me Doncaster are the one wild card in this division. They play well then they could challenge for the playoffs, badly and it could be a relegation battle, so I’ve gone for a mid-table place. Prediction – 11th

Fleetwood Town

• Last Season’s Record – 15^th in League One – (60 pts, +3 GD)
• Manager: Simon Grayson
• Top Players: Jordan Rossiter (MLC), Anthony Pikington (ML), Dannt Andrew (DL), Callum Camps (MC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 33/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Highbury Stadium (5,327)

I can’t see how Fleetwood have made big improvements to their squad this season, so I think a similar season to last looks in the offing. Prediction – 15th

Gillingham

• Last Season’s Record – 10^th in League One – (67 pts, +3 GD)
• Manager: Steve Evans
• Top Players: Stuart O’Keefe (MC), Kyle Dempsey (MC), Olly Lee (MRC), Danny Lloyd (AMLC), John Akinde (AC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 50/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Priestfield Stadium (11,582)

Steve Evans has enough knowhow to keep Gillingham away from the battle to avoid the drop, but I can’t see them making a big impact at the top of the table. Mid to lower league finish looks likely. Prediction – 16th

Ipswich Town

• Last Season’s Record – 9^th in League One – (69 pts, 0 GD)
• Manager: Paul Cook
• Top Players: Kayden Jackson (AC), James Norwood (AC), Jon Nolan (AML), Joe Pigott (AC), Luke Woolfenden (DC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 7/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Portman Road (30,311)

Last season was a disappointment for Ipswich but with a manager who has a great record in this division and a solid looking squad, the playoffs should be a realistic target this season. Prediction – 5th

Lincoln City

• Last Season’s Record – 5^th in League One (Playoffs) – (77 pts, +19 GD)
• Manager: Michael Appleton
• Top Players: Tom Hopper (AC), Anthony Scully (AML), Liam Bridcutt (MC), Lewis Montsma (DC), Tayo Edun (MR)
• League Two Winner Odds: 14/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Sincil Bank (10,120)

One of the best team units in the division and I think the Imps should be strong enough to make it through to the playoffs once again this season. Prediction – 6th

MK Dons

• Last Season’s Record – 13^th in League One – (65 pts, +2)
• Manager: No Manager At Present
• Top Players: Dean Lewington (DL), Mo Eisa (AC), Josh McEachran (MC), Troy Parrott (AC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 16/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Stadium MK (30,500)

Troy Parrott looks a good signing but even so, I still feel that the MK Dons will struggle to make much of an impact at the top end of the table. Prediction – 17th

Morecambe

• Last Season’s Record – 4^th in League Two (promoted – Playoffs) – (78 pts, +11 GD)
• Manager: Stephen Robinson
• Top Players: Sammy Lavelle (DC), Cole Stockton (AC), Aaron Wildig (MC), Toumani Diagouraga (MC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 125/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Globe Arena (6,476)

It’s going to be a tough season for a team with one of the smallest budgets in this division and I think it may just be the one season in League One for Morecambe fans to enjoy. Prediction – 22^nd

Oxford United

• Last Season’s Record – 6^th in League Two (playoffs) – (74 pts, +21 GD)
• Manager: Karl Robinson
• Top Players: Cameron Brannigan (MC), Sam Winnall (AC), Anthony Forde (MRL), Simon Eastwood (GK)
• League Two Winner Odds: 14/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Kassam Stadium (12,500)

Oxford have a decent squad and a good manager but I think they may be the team that just misses out on a spot in the playoffs this year. Prediction – 8th

Plymouth Argyle

• Last Season’s Record – 18^th in League One – (53 pts, -27 GD)
• Manager: Ryan Lowe
• Top Players: Joe Edwards (MC), Adam Randell (MLC), Ryan Hardie (AC), Danny Mayor (MC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 33/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Home Park (18,124)

I can’t see how Plymouth have made major strides from last season and as such, I think they will finish in a similar position this coming season. Prediction – 18th

Portsmouth

• Last Season’s Record – 8^th in League One (72 pts, +14 GD)
• Manager: Danny Cowley
• Top Players:John Marquis (AC), Sean Raggett (DC), Lee Brown (DL), Ryan Tunnicliffe (MC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 11/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Fratton Park (19,669)

I think the battle for the playoff places will rage right until the end of the season and I think Portsmouth will be the team that snatches that final playoff spot on the final day. Prediction – 7th

Rotherham United

• Last Season’s Record – 23^rd in Championship (relegated) – (42pts, -16 GD)
• Manager: Paul Warne
• Top Players: Joe Mattock (DL), Richard Wood (DC), Freddie Ladapo (AC), Shane Ferguson (AMR)
• League Two Winner Odds: 14/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): New York Stadium (12,021)

I see Rotherham in a group with Oxford, Portsmouth and Wigan battling for a playoff spot, but I feel that they may be one of the teams to just miss out. Prediction – 9th

Sheffield Wednesday

• Last Season’s Record- 24^th in Championship (relegated) – (41pts, -21 GD)
• Manager: Darren Moore
• Top Players: Bailey Peacock-Farrell (GK), Liam Palmer (DR), Barry Bannan (MC), Josh Windass (AML), Callum Paterson (AC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 10/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Hillsborough (34.854)

For me, they look the class act in this division with an excellent manager and a very strong squad at this level. I am tipping the Owls for a speedy return to The Championship. Prediction – 1^st

Shrewsbury Town

• Last Season’s Record – 17^th in League One (54 pts, -7 GD)
• Manager: Steve Cotterill
• Top Players: Ollie Norburn (MC), Josh Vela (AMC), Matthew Pennington (DC), David Davis (MC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 40/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): New Meadow (9,875)

I think it will be a tough season for Shrews fans as they haven’t really got the finance to impact on the top of the table and another relegation battle does look on the cards. Prediction – 19th

Sunderland

• Last Season’s Record – 4^th in League One (playoffs) – (77 pts, +28 GD)
• Manager: Lee Johnson
• Top Players: Lynden Gooch (AMLC), Will Grigg (AC), Aiden McGeady (AMRL), Corry Evans (MC), Luke O’Nien (DL)
• League Two Winner Odds: 7/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Stadium of Light (49,000)

Having missed out on promotion in the playoffs in the last two seasons, I think Sunderland will finally grab it this year by pushing Sheffield Wednesday hard for top spot in the division. Prediction – 2nd

Wigan Athletic

• Last Season’s Record- 20^th in League One – (48 pts, -23 GD)
• Manager: Leam Richardson
• Top Players: Jamie Jones (GK), Max Power (MRC), Charlie Wyke (AC), Will Keane (AC)
• League Two Winner Odds: 11/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): DW Stadium (25,138)

Although I have Wigan down as finishing 10^th, I think they will be in the playoff picture right up until the last week or so of the season but may just fall short. Prediction – 10th

Wycombe Wanderers

• Last Season’s Record – 22^nd in Championship (relegated) – (43pts, -30 GD)
• Manager: Gareth Ainsworth
• Top Players: Joe Jacobsen (DL), Sam Vokes (AC), Adebayo Akinfenwa (AC), Garath McCleary (AMR)
• League Two Winner Odds: 20/1
• Home Ground (Capacity): Adams Park (9,448)

A settled squad and team that got promotion from this division two years back, I think they will do enough to finish third in the table and regain their spot in the Championship at the first attempt. Prediction – 3rd