With just over a week remaining until the start of the new League One season, excitement is beginning to build in anticipation of the new campaign. A 46 game season is near impossible to predict, although The Real EFL writers have tried their luck at just who will be celebrating come May.
League One has proven to be one of the toughest leagues in English football in recent years, with huge clubs such as Sunderland, Leeds United, Nottingham Forest and others all having dropped down to the third tier. This season sees three more former Premier League teams drop down, with Reading, Blackpool and Wigan Athletic all hoping for a brief stay in the division.
At the other end, Leyton Orient, Stevenage, Northampton Town and Carlisle United all join from League Two after successful promotion campaigns. Can any of the quartet challenge in the upper reaches of the table?
The Real EFL League One Predictions
We asked our writers to submit their predicted final league table for the coming season, with some surprising results. Below is each writer’s predicted promoted and relegated clubs:
Ryan
Champions – Bolton Wanderers
Promoted – Charlton Athletic
Play-off winners – Portsmouth
Relegated – Cambridge United, Fleetwood Town, Cheltenham Town, Stevenage
Jamie
Champions – Charlton Athletic
Promoted – Derby County
Play-off winners – Bolton Wanderers
Relegated – Exeter City, Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Stevenage
Callum
Champions – Derby County
Promoted – Peterborough United
Play-off winners – Charlton Athletic
Relegated – Cambridge United, Exeter City, Stevenage, Northampton Town
Ivan
Champions – Bolton Wanderers
Promoted – Derby County
Play-off winners – Charlton Athletic
Relegated – Cambridge United, Stevenage, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town
Joe
Champions – Derby County
Promoted – Bolton Wanderers
Play-off winners – Portsmouth
Relegated – Port Vale, Northampton Town, Cambridge United, Carlisle United
Jordan
Champions – Derby County
Promoted – Bolton Wanderers
Play-off winners – Charlton Athletic
Relegated – Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town, Port Vale, Cambridge United
Brandon
Champions – Derby County
Promoted – Portsmouth
Play-off winners – Charlton Athletic
Relegated – Port Vale, Cheltenham Town, Carlisle United, Cambridge United
Tom
Champions – Peterborough United
Promoted – Derby County
Play-off winners – Charlton Athletic
Relegated – Shrewsbury Town, Cheltenham Town, Carlisle United, Cambridge United
Harvey
Champions – Derby County
Promoted – Bolton Wanderers
Play-off winners – Portsmouth
Relegated – Cheltenham Town, Northampton Town, Carlisle United, Cambridge United
Final League One Table Prediction
According to our writers, Derby County will return to the Championship at the second attempt, closely followed by Bolton Wanderers.
Portsmouth, Peterborough United, Charlton Athletic and Barnsley will all fight for the third and final promotion spot via the play-offs, with Blackpool and Lincoln City just missing out. Charlton are the overwhelming favourites amongst the team to achieve success at Wembley Stadium next May.
At the other end of the table, Cambridge United are predicted to finish bottom, whilst Cheltenham Town, Northamhapton Town and Carlisle United also slip into League Two. Stevenage – who both Ryan and Jamie predicted to finish bottom – will survive by the skin of their teeth.
Further up the table, Leyton Orient would be satisfied with a 15th placed finish whilst Reading would certainly take a comfortable 10th after their ongoing transfer embargo issues.
Agree with our team? Let us know your predictions at @TheRealEFL1!
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