Just two weeks remain before the new League One season kicks off, filling supporters with anticipation of what may lie ahead. We challenged our writers to have a go at predicting the final table. Who do we think will be celebrating come May?
This season’s third tier looks set to be one of the most competitive in recent years. The arrival of Birmingham City, Huddersfield Town and Rotherham United from the Championship has arguably raised the quality a notch, with the Blues in particular looking to blow the competition away with their financial might.
It isn’t just the relegated trio that are expected to challenge at the top though. Last season’s beaten play-off finalists Bolton Wanderers are hoping to go one better, whilst regular top six finishers Peterborough United will also surely be in the mix.
Charlton Athletic endured a torrid time under Michael Appleton before Nathan Jones came in to steady the ship. The Addicks have conducted some good transfer business so far and should be more competitive. Throw in the Hollywood-owned Wrexham and League Two winners Stockport County, and this could be a League One season for the ages.
The Real EFL Predictions
Jamie
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Huddersfield Town
Play-Off Winners – Bolton Wanderers
Relegated – Northampton Town, Cambridge United, Shrewsbury Town, Crawley Town
Charlie
Champions – Charlton Athletic
Promoted – Huddersfield Town
Play-Off Winners – Rotherham United
Relegated – Northampton Town, Shrewsbury Town, Cambridge United, Crawley Town
Ivan
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Huddersfield Town
Play-Off Winners – Charlton Athletic
Relegated – Cambridge United, Mansfield Town, Crawley Town, Shrewsbury Town
Sam
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Huddersfield Town
Play-Off Winners – Bolton Wanderers
Relegated – Cambridge United, Burton Albion, Shrewsbury Town, Mansfield Town
Abi
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Huddersfield Town
Play-Off Winners – Rotherham United
Relegated – Cambridge United, Reading, Shrewsbury Town, Crawley Town
Rob
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Rotherham United
Play-Off Winners – Huddersfield Town
Relegated – Crawley Town, Charlton Athletic, Mansfield Town, Stockport County
Thomas
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Barnsley
Play-Off Winners – Bolton Wanderers
Relegated – Crawley Town, Mansfield Town, Shrewsbury Town, Burton Albion
Lewis
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Rotherham United
Play-Off Winners – Bolton Wanderers
Relegated – Shrewsbury Town, Northampton Town, Reading, Crawley Town
Jake
Champions – Birmingham City
Promoted – Rotherham United
Play-Off Winners – Wigan Athletic
Relegated – Crawley Town, Stevenage, Shrewsbury Town, Cambridge United
Final Predicted League One Table
Charlie aside, the whole team believe that Birmingham will run away with the title. It’s hard to look past Chris Davies’ team after the signings they have made this summer and they will certainly be the ones to beat.
Huddersfield are also tipped for an instant return to the Championship, whilst Rotherham will have to make do with a third-placed finish and the lottery of the play-offs. Four members of the team have predicted Bolton to go one better than last season with a triumph at Wembley Stadium next May.
At the other end of the table, we have Crawley sitting bottom (for the second season running – that went well…). Mansfield, Cambridge and Shrewsbury are the others said to drop into League Two.
From the other promoted teams, Wrexham and Stockport would surely be happy to cement their place in the division with a 10th and 12th-placed finish respectively. Lincoln could suffer heartbreak for the second successive season by finishing one place out the play-offs.
Head of Writing
