League One Relegation Odds

Perennial relegation contenders Morecambe have never actually been relegated in the 102-year history of the club. Even throughout the lower leagues, the Shrimps have never felt the heartache of dropping down a division.

However, despite this remarkable history, they are almost always the favourites to go down with the bookmakers. They survived last year by two points with them finishing 19th in the league for their first-ever season in the third division.

The man tasked with masterminding this year's escape is a man fondly known as ‘The King’. Derek Adams returned to the hot seat after it seemed the stars had aligned perfectly for him to be welcomed back to the Mazuma with open arms after Stephen Robinson departed St Mirren.

The Reds have done some early business with goalkeeper Connor Ripley joining from Preston North End alongside Donald Love and Farrend Rawson joining from League Two clubs, Mansfield Town and Salford City. They’ve said the loan market effectively too to bring in Southampton youngster, Caleb Watts.

Adams has clearly set his sights on improving the sides' defence with them conceding the most goals last season with 88 being leaked. Despite some impressive transfer business, this is going to be a backs-against-the-wall job for the Lancashire-based outfit.

Fleetwood Town are starting their new season with former Celtic stalwart Scott Brown, stepping into his first managerial role. The Cod Army have historically done well with rookies as managers as both Micky Mellon and Graham Alexander led the Reds to promotion in their first job.

Brown has set out early on improving their squad after a disappointing 20th-placed finish in which they survived on the last day of the season. Talented midfielder Josh Vela, Championship experienced Josh Earl and live wire Callum Morton are the standout arrivals for the Cod Army.

However, with the league improving each year it’s crucial that Fleetwood doesn’t rely so much on their young players who are likely to have many suitors in the summer transfer window.

A model club for most EFL teams, they will find it difficult to compete with the bigger-sized clubs this season as they are still fan-owned. The sustainability of the managerial department has allowed for Matt Taylor to stay in charge for four years.

The Grecians are not only safe in the knowledge of who their boss is but that they have an ongoing production line of young players coming into the squad from their youth system.

However, that is going to be a more difficult task for City to rely on with them joining the third division after a promotion last season. They will be lucky to avoid the same sort of exodus that Crewe witnessed when they were promoted, with them struggling to keep hold of their players and failing to adequately recruit.

Last season you’d have struggled to find a pundit that had not predicted Cambridge to be relegated. However, United massively overachieved under Mark Bonner to finish 14th in their first season back in League One.

They do say teams suffer from second-season syndrome and with the loss of key players, Jack Iredale and Wes Hoolahan, this could be too big of an ask to repeat last season's remarkable achievements.

The only signing made so far is James Holden, who joins from Readings U23’s side on a permanent basis after spending last season on loan with Maidenhead United.

Forest Green Rovers were left shocked when their previous manager Rob Edwards joined Watford after a title-winning campaign. Things were quickly were picked up though with the appointment of Notts County’s Head Coach Ian Burchnall.

Burchnall is well known for employing an attractive and progressive brand of football which has led his previous team to two play-off finishes in the National League.

It is a big jump for the manager and the squad though with last season's key players, Ebou Adams and Kane Wilson joining Cardiff and Bristol City respectively.

They must recruit smartly to stave off the dreaded drop and they’ve started early bringing in experienced midfielder David Davis from Shrewsbury Town alongside Kyle McAllister, Armani Little, Alfie Burnett, Corey O’Keefe and Harry Boyes.

Last season's play-off winners are no surprise to feature so high up in the bookmakers' list for relegation favourites. However, in manager Darrell Clarke they have faith in someone who has proven to adapt to the nature of League One football before.

In back-to-back seasons with Bristol Rovers, Clarke recorded a 10th and 13th-placed finish to overachieve with a limited budget. The Valiants will be hoping for a similar miracle from their no-nonsense manager.

Funso Ojo and Lewis Cass have both joined on free transfers from Aberdeen and Newcastle United and they will be hoping to provide more competition for a squad that is quite heavily stacked in the attacking department with both Jamie Proctor and James Wilson leading the line for Vale.

Cheltenham Town Odds: 5/2

Shrewsbury Town Odds: 11/4

Burton Albion Odds: 3/1

Lincoln City Odds: 3/1

Accrington Stanley: 10/3

Bristol Rovers Odds: 10/3

Derby County Odds: 6/1