The start of the League One campaign is on the horizon and it promises to be a tight affair, with several big clubs battling to get back into the second tier of English football. Preston, Sheffield United and Scunthorpe will join the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Charlton in trying to find a place in the Championship. Here’s who we think will enjoy success this term…..
Phil Brown failed to pull off the great escape and keep Preston (7/1 League One Outright) in the Championship last season, but there were shoots of recovery and that is likely to continue this campaign. They may have lost winger Keith Tracey, but the experience of the returning Graham Alexander, Clarke Carlisle and Ian Ashbee could be key. Expect North End to be up and around the top six for the majority of the season.
Huddersfield (11/8 to win promotion) have seen some of the squad that reached the play-off final last season move on, with the likes of Anthony Pilkington and Lee Peltier departing. But Lee Clark has some excellent youngsters breaking through and the loan addition of Hull defender Liam Cooper will keep them solid at the back.
No team in the league has been busier in the transfer window than Charlton (18/1 League One Handicap +4), with at least 12 additions to the ranks and as many departures. Former Bournemouth man Danny Hollands looks a decent capture although the large number of squad changes means Chris Powell will need time to gel things together.
There was shock throughout the football pundits at Sheffield United’s relegation last term, but despite their slip into the third tier, Blades fans have reason to be optimistic. Their youngsters reached the FA Youth Cup final for the first time in their history last season, with some real talent coming through the ranks at Bramall Lane. Young striker Danny Philliskirk, signed from Chelsea, is one to watch out for this season (Season Match Bet – Preston 4/5, Sheff Utd Evs).
Wednesday, meanwhile, have not been able to bring in as many players as they would have hoped. David Prutton and Julian Bennett will add more steel to the Owls, but there will be major pressure on Gary Megson to deliver the goods, with promotion their only target.
Three decent summer captures, Niall McGinn from Celtic, Clayton Donaldson (20/1 League One Top Goalscorer) from Crewe and Jonathon Douglas from Swindon, have strengthened a Brentford squad that finished 11th last season. Uwe Rosler is looking forward to his first season as a manager in England and the German will feel the play-offs are a realistic target.
An outside bet for a decent season are Notts County (10/1 to win promotion), under the solid stewardship of Martin Allen. They managed to survive in League One after Allen’s late season appointment and the former Barnet and Brentford boss will have set his sights on big improvements this term.
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Preston North End produced one of the shocks of the season on Saturday as they beat high flying Swansea 2-1 at Deepdale to keep the dreams of Championship survival alive.