We take a look at the antepost money making opportunities as the 2023/4 Football League season gets set to kick off. Live scores
EFL League One Preview
Derby County failed to land a play-off spot in League One last season although the Rams head the betting market to win the title this time around. Boylesports have 9/2 that the Midlands side are able to finish top under Paul Warne, although it could be another transitional season for a team who have lost David McGoldrick to Notts County.
There are plenty of teams in the mix and that includes Bolton Wanderers who lost in the League One play-offs last season. Ian Evatt will hope to build on that relative success and bet365 have 7/1 that the Lancashire side return to the Championship by winning the title, with this club having one of the biggest wage budgets in the division.
Barnsley were the team that knocked Bolton out of the play-offs last season before losing in the Wembley final to Sheffield Wednesday, with the Tykes now moving forward without Michael Duff who left to join Swansea City. Betfred have 9/1 that the Yorkshire outfit are able to claim the title although the departure of their successful manager could be a telling one.
As for Portsmouth, they have now spent a few seasons in League One as one of the bigger clubs but failed to get lift-off under Danny Cowley last term. John Mousinho is tasked with steering them to promotion and bet365 have 10/1 that Pompey are able to land the title and delight the Fratton Park faithful.
Peterborough United were somehow unable to get into the play-off final last term despite an impressive 4-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday in the first leg of their semi-final encounter, with Posh looking to use that pain of defeat to have a successful campaign. Darren Ferguson will be confident of a top six finish and bet365 offer 10/1 that they’re top dogs by May.
Reading might struggle to adjust to the third tier after a dismal season and the fact that the Royals are cash-strapped means that the bookies are prepared to chalk up 12/1 (William Hill) that the Berkshire side bounce back in style, while Blackpool are available at 14/1 with Ladbrokes and the Tangerines have Neil Critchley back in the fold after previously being successful.
Dean Holden is in charge at Charlton Athletic who are 16/1 with Betfred to land an automatic promotion by winning the League One title, with Oxford United available at 20/1 with Coral after dicing with relegation last term. Next in the betting come Wycombe Wanderers at 25/1 with Boylesports although things could be trickier without Gareth Ainsworth.
EFL League Two Preview
It’s going to be an intriguing 2023/24 season in League Two, with Wrexham having attracted a huge amount of media attention last season due to their famous ownership. The Welsh club were able to build a squad that achieved promotion from the National League by winning the title and it’s no surprise to see them trading as favourites to land top spot in the fourth tier.
Wrexham are a best price 7/2 with William Hill to win the League Two title, with manager Phil Parkinson having money to further strengthen a squad who feature Paul Mullin as the centre forward capable of scoring plenty of goals at this level. However, they might find this division a good deal more competitive than last season.
Stockport County were the National League winners in the previous season and Dave Challinor will look to build on last season’s success where the Hatters were able to land a play-off spot and reach the final before being defeated by Carlisle United on penalties. Ladbrokes have 11/2 that the Lancashire side get the job done.
Notts County had an amazing season of their own in the fifth tier last term and the Magpies swooped to capture David McGoldrick after earning promotion to League Two last term. There’s a strong chance that the Midlands side could achieve successive promotions, with bet365 offering 15/2 that Luke Williams guides the Pies into League One.
Perhaps it’s worth looking away from the front three in the betting and Gillingham are a more eye-catching price, with the Kent club having experienced new ownership last season and there was an immediate upturn in results. It would come as no surprise to find the Gills in the promotion mix and bet365 offer 11/1 about them winning the title.
Bradford City will hope to build on their top seven finish last term which saw the Bantams clash and lose to Carlisle United in the play-offs. Mark Hughes will aim to get things right on the pitch this season and Andy Cook is as close to guaranteed goals as you can get at this level. The Yorkshire outfit are a 14/1 poke with Coral to win League Two.
Mansfield Town somehow conspired to throw away their play-off spot last season and the Stags have been the perennial under-achievers in League Two over the past few years. However, Nigel Clough’s side have previously shown they are capable of challenging at the top end of the table, with bet365 offering 16/1 about the Midlands team.
Salford City are a 16/1 chance with Betfred and have been treading water in League Two for a few seasons, with MK Dons priced at 18/1 with Coral after their relegation last term. Doncaster Rovers are a 25/1 chance with the same firm and there could be some value siding with Tranmere Rovers at 33/1 with William Hill.
