We’ve tasked our writers with putting together their predictions for the upcoming season, then pooled the results together to give you a definitive Real EFL League One table.
Opinions have differed wildly in some instances, with Shrewsbury Town the side that split our pundits in League One. Martin believes they’re set to rekindle their play-off success of the season before last, whereas Will has them set for a season of struggle. Whilst they have caused some division, much of the other sides have fallen into a pattern.
Burton have also ended up outside the top six, courtesy of Roy who can see them finishing 22nd. Will thinks they’ll be in the play-offs and other writers have them above the bottom half of the table.
The top five are, more or less, agreed upon. Portsmouth are our pick as Champions and Will and Lewis had them outside the top two. They’re being tipped to be joined by Sunderland, their play-off conquerors and EFL trophy victims. The two sides did their very best not to finish in the top two last season, but we’re tipping them to make it a successful season this time around.
Ambitious Peterborough come out third with our writers, everyone picking them in the top six. The same goes for Ipswich who are predicted to join them in the play-offs. Those four teams seem to be the overriding favourites for the top four positions, whereas further down there is a little split.
Only one of our writers picked Coventry to finish in the top six but, given the variation in Doncaster and Blackpool’s predictions, the average table has them nudging into the play-off race as well. The Sky Blues are set to be joined by relegated Rotherham but any one of six sides are sure to be in the mix for the final play-off spot.
Our writers also feel that Burton and Fleetwood will be knocking on the door as well.
At the bottom, the two clear picks for the drop are Bury and Bolton, for obvious reasons. They’re set to be joined by Rochdale and Wimbledon according to our pundits, although the Wombles great escape of last season surely hasn’t been taken into consideration there. Accrington and Southend look poised for a season of struggle, whilst promoted Tranmere might have to be content with consolidation and little more.,
Other interesting placings include Lincoln City, widely tipped by other sites top be around the top ten. We’ve got them in 12th, Oxford 13th and MK Dons 14th. Steve Evans influence has Gillingham in 15th, but all four sides appear to be favourites to be in the middle of the pack.
You can see our full 1-24 below, as well as read Brendon’s in-depth analysis at 8pm this evening.
Roy | Will | Lewis | Brendan | Martin | JG | |
Portsmouth | 1 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Sunderland | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
Peterborough | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
Ipswich | 3 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 4 |
Rotherham | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5 |
Coventry City | 10 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
Blackpool | 6 | 9 | 8 | 12 | 8 | 6 |
Doncaster | 7 | 5 | 6 | 13 | 14 | 10 |
Fleetwood | 8 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 9 | 9 |
Burton Albion | 22 | 6 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 8 |
Shrewsbury | 9 | 19 | 14 | 11 | 5 | 13 |
Lincoln | 15 | 14 | 13 | 7 | 11 | 14 |
Oxford Utd | 11 | 11 | 11 | 17 | 15 | 11 |
MK Dons | 16 | 13 | 15 | 9 | 13 | 12 |
Gillingham | 12 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 |
Bristol Rovers | 13 | 20 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 18 |
Wycombe | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 | 22 | 17 |
Tranmere | 18 | 22 | 16 | 20 | 18 | 16 |
Southend | 21 | 21 | 17 | 16 | 17 | 19 |
Accrington | 17 | 18 | 21 | 18 | 19 | 22 |
Wimbledon | 20 | 15 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 20 |
Rochdale | 19 | 17 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 23 |
Bolton | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 21 |
Bury | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 | 24 |