League One Predictions & Best Bets

Here we look at the early promotion/relegation odds in League One as well as any specials via SkyBet ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 season.

All odds are subject to change*

The favourites for automatic promotion and essentially a candidate for the league title is recently relegated Birmingham City. Last season, the Birmingham City board saw fit to replace popular manager John Eustace with a big, glamorous name in Wayne Rooney. Unfortunately for the Blues, the gamble would backfire horrendously, and Birmingham were relegated to the third tier of English football.

The Blues will be under the management of Chris Davies, a highly respected coach who has worked at Celtic and Tottenham Hotspur. Birmingham City must bounce back at the first opportunity, with teams around them strengthening in quite the competitive pool this season in League One. Birmingham City, have already made shrewd acquisitions in the transfer market, with Emil Hansson joining from Heracles and, of course, the capture of Alfie May. May will be integral to the side, having shown his quality across League One by scoring 23 league goals in 43 appearances last season.

Bolton Wanderers will be entering their fourth season in League One and following the disappointment of the two play-off campaigns in previous seasons, the Trotters are listed as second favourites heading into the campaign. In the 2022/23 season, Bolton were beaten by Barnsley in the semi-final and the season following, Bolton made it one step further in reaching the final, however, they were thwarted by Oxford United.

Under Ian Evatt’s management, the former League Outfit were promoted from the depths of League Two under his tenure, although the former Barrow manager is now pressured to deliver. Bolton has made smart acquisitions in the market, bringing in the likes of Scott Arfield for experience and Chris Forino from Wycombe Wanderers. Dion Charles will be laboured with carrying the goal threat for Bolton Wanderers, as the Northern Ireland international scored 16 goals in 36 games last season.

Rotherham United are once back in League One following their relegation from the Championship. Rotherham changed their managerial face towards the end of last season by bringing back a former face in Steve Evans from Stevenage. Evans will now be tasked to bring glory to the Millers at the first attempt, and the former Peterborough United manager has already brought about making drastic changes to the squad.

Steve Evans has brought in valuable League One experience without spending a single penny on the financial front, as the former Leeds United manager sets to reshape the squad in his image. One of the more notable signings in the attacking areas is former Peterborough United striker, Jonson Clarke-Harris. The Jamaican striker was pivotal in both of Peterborough’s promotion campaigns by scoring 57 goals in 91 league appearances. Joe Rafferty will bring the experience of promotion over with him, as the full-back has recently joined from Portsmouth.

Crawley Town - @10/11 Via SkyBet

Crawley Town achieved a wonderful piece of history last season, as they marked their first appearance at Wembley, resulting in a play-off final victory over Crewe Alexandra. Crawley’s victory saw the Sussex-based outfit reach the third tier of English football for the first time since 2015. The Bookmakers have placed them as early candidates for relegation, although that could well be down to the teams who followed them up the division.

The likes of Stockport and Wrexham are expected to spend heavily to perhaps challenge for the higher spots in the league, whereas on paper Mansfield are deemed to have a stronger squad. Crawley have looked to secure acquisitions in the transfer market, signing the likes of Scott Malone from Gillingham and Joe Wollacott from Hibernian respectively.

Shrewsbury Town - @11/8 Via SkyBet

The second favourite for the relegation picture are Shrewsbury Town. Shrewsbury Town did just enough to survive relegation last season, finishing in 19th on the league standings. Shrewsbury Town did end the season in terrible form, having not won in their previous five games towards the end of the season. Shrewsbury finished four points above 21st Cheltenham Town.

Shrewsbury Town have looked to add reinforcements for next season, signing up to six players thus far and with more potentially on the way.

Cambridge United - @6/4 Via SkyBet

This league will be difficult to predict at both ends of the league table next season, but our choice to suffer relegation is Cambridge United. Cambridge United came in @6/4 to be relegated as the East Anglian side, which finished in the lower positions last season. The U’s finished 18th last season, four points clear of Cheltenham Town.

The issue for Cambridge United was towards the end of last season, where the side had not won in their previous five but were saved by clubs suffering a worse performance league-wise last season.

Burton Albion – @15/8 Via SkyBet

Our final choice for the last relegation spot is Burton Albion. The Brewers finished 20th in League One last season and were fortunate to survive on the final day. Cheltenham Town lost 2-1 on the final day, which cancelled Burton’s disastrous performance against already relegated Fleetwood Town in which they lost 3-0.

Burton have looked to strengthen in the transfer market having signed up to ten players including recently released Chelsea academy graduate Charlie Webster.