English football is back, and although it is another week until the Premier League starts, the EFL returns with a bang this weekend.
After success for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Wigan Athletic and Accrington Stanley in their respective divisions last year, our Football League expert takes a look at the best football odds for outrights in the Football League this term.
Championship
Arguably the most competitive league in Europe, any team can win the Championship which makes it so exciting to watch over the course of the season.
Former Premier League stalwarts Stoke City, Swansea City and West Bromwich Albion were all relegated last season, and their fans will expect an instant return to the elite.
West Brom looked fantastic under Darren Moore when he was appointed towards the end of last season, and I think they offer fantastic value at 8/1 to win the League.
Hull City had a poor season last time out, but under Nigel Adkins started playing good football and picking up good results. Adkins is a very well-respected manager in this league, and Hull have done some good business bringing in Eric Lichaj and Reece Burke. As an outside tip for promotion, most probably via the play offs, they are available at 14/1.
Towards the other end of the table, it is set to be a long, tough season for Bolton Wanderers. In more financial difficulty, players regularly striking, and only just surviving last season, Bolton are a sure-fire pick for me to get relegated, and that is offered at evens.
League One
Some big names reside in League One nowadays, with Sunderland the latest to fall into the clutches of England’s third tier. A very competitive league, all relegated sides will look to compete in the top end of the table, however it is Charlton I fancy to win the league this year.
The Addicks just missed out on promotion in the play-offs last season, but with a young squad and an excellent manager in Lee Bowyer, they have the capability to dominate proceedings, and will be sitting pretty at the top the pile come May. They offer great value at 11/1.
Resurgent again after an incredibly difficult period, Portsmouth are my next pick to be promoted. Only adding to a squad that was pipped to promotion in the dying embers last season, Kenny Jackett’s side has a real chance to compete at the right end of the table.
With last year’s second top scorer Brett Pitman leading the line, Portsmouth are 4/1 to be promoted with grosvenorsport.com
An extremely challenging few years have dogged Gillingham recently, and this does not look like changing any time soon. The Kent based side has failed to inspire, especially last season, and losing top talent on a consistent basis is never a recipe for success. Gillingham are 7/4 to be relegated.
League Two
Notts County pushed promotion close last year, and ultimately fell short in the playoffs. This year, with every team better than them promoted bar Exeter, the Magpies should feel very confident that this year they will bring some silverware back to Meadow Lane, and are 6/1 to win the League.
Lincoln City had an excellent first season back in the Football League last year, and triumphed at Wembley in the EFL Trophy.
The Imps, managed by the impressive Danny Cowley, have made a few very astute signings and should be confident that promotion, so agonisingly out of reach last season, should be achieved with relative comfort this year, and can be backed at 2/1.
It is frequently the usual suspects battling to avoid relegation from the Football League, and this year is no different. Morecambe and Yeovil are some of the favourites to go down, however I think this year will be a bridge too far for Newport County.
Having avoided relegation in dramatic circumstances in recent seasons, this year is the year I think they will finally exit the Football League. Newport to be relegated is excellent value at 7/1.
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