League One 2025/26 Preview: Odds, Predictions and Betting Tips
Last updated: by Leon Marshall
The League One season begins on 1 August 2025. We’ve broken down the latest markets across all betting sites, including title, promotion, relegation and the top scorer race using the most up-to-date odds.
League One Winner & Promotion Odds
Luton Town are the clear front-runners for the title and promotion after their relegation from the Championship. Huddersfield and Cardiff follow, while Stockport and Plymouth round out a strong top five.
Why they lead the market:
- Luton are 3/1 to win the title and odds-on (1/1) for promotion. Theyare favourites for the title. The squad remains largely intact after relegation and has been strengthened.
- Huddersfield come in at 6/1 (title) and 7/4 (promotion), strengthened by Alfie May.
- Cardiff, Stockport and Plymouth are solid options and offer each-way value in the outright title market
| Team | Winner Odds | Promotion Odds | Recommended Betting Site | Secure Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Luton Town | 3/1 | 1/1 | bet365 | Visit Site |
| Huddersfield | 6/1 | 7/4 | Betfred | Visit Site |
| Cardiff City | 8/1 | 5/2 | 10bet | Visit Site |
| Stockport | 8/1 | 5/2 | Spreadex | Visit Site |
| Plymouth Argyle | 9/1 | 11/4 | NetBet | Visit Site |
| Bolton | 11/1 | 7/2 | Ladbrokes | Visit Site |
| Blackpool | 12/1 | 15/4 | bet365 | Visit Site |
League One Relegation Odds
AFC Wimbledon and Northampton are leading the market for relegation, followed by Exeter, Burton and Port Vale. The odds suggest a tight battle at the bottom, with several sides in the mix.
Teams at risk:
- AFC Wimbledon are shortest in the market at 1/1, with a weakened squad they look set for the drop.
- Northampton and Exeter are both also seen as relegation candidates.
| Team | Relegation Odds | Recommended Betting Site | Secure Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| AFC Wimbledon | 1/1 | 10bet | Visit Site |
| Northampton | 5/4 | Betfred | Visit Site |
| Exeter City | 15/8 | Spreadex | Visit Site |
| Burton Albion | 2/1 | Ladbrokes | Visit Site |
| Port Vale | 2/1 | bet365 | Visit Site |
League One Top Goalscorer Odds
Alfie May – Huddersfield’s million pound man – is the current market leader for the Top Scorer, with Nathan Lowe and Yousef Salech not far behind. Nathan Lowe is an intriguing option, he had a strong League Two campaign last year, and will be looking to take the step up.
Why May leads:
- Alfie May (Huddersfield) is the favourite at 9/2, thanks to his record in League One and immediate impact in pre-season.
- Nathan Lowe and Yousef Salech both offer single-digit odds and could thrive with consistent minutes.
| Player | Odds | Recommended Betting Site | Secure Link |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alfie May | 9/2 | bet365 | Visit Site |
| Nathan Lowe | 5/1 | Betfred | Visit Site |
| Yousef Salech | 8/1 | 10bet | Visit Site |
| Richard Kone | 14/1 | Spreadex | Visit Site |
| Nahki Wells | 20/1 | NetBet | Visit Site |
| Davis Keillor-Dunn | 18/1 | Ladbrokes | Visit Site |
Our Betting Insight and Predictions
Find some of our tips and football predictions for the season below:
- Title favourites: Luton – best priced at 3/1.
- Promotion hopefuls: Huddersfield, Cardiff, Stockport.
- Play-off contenders: Bolton, Plymouth, Blackpool.
- Relegation danger: AFC Wimbledon, Northampton, Exeter.
- Top scorer tip: Alfie May – current favourite at 9/2.
- Value punt: Richard Kone (14/1) – outsider with potential.
Our Predicted Final Table – League One 2025/26
Based on the latest outright and relegation odds, here’s how we expect the League One table to finish in 2025/26:
| Pos | Club | Reasoning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luton Town | Favourites for the title (3/1), strongest squad in the division. |
| 2 | Huddersfield Town | Second in the market (6/1), key additions including Alfie May. |
| 3 | Cardiff City | Top 5 in both title and promotion odds. Midfield depth is a strength. |
| 4 | Stockport County | Backed for a play-off push, good tactical setup. |
| 5 | Plymouth Argyle | Momentum from recent seasons, consistent home form expected. |
| 6 | Bolton Wanderers | Strong home record, tipped for play-offs. |
| 7 | Blackpool | Play-off outsiders, stable squad under Steve Bruce. |
| 8 | Barnsley | Always a tough side in League One, but slightly behind top six odds. |
| 9 | Wigan Athletic | Capable of a run but not a promotion favourite. |
| 10 | Reading | Improving squad but still not fancied for promotion. |
| 11 | Lincoln City | Likely mid-table based on odds and squad depth. |
| 12 | Stevenage | Strong tactically but squad lacks depth for play-offs. |
| 13 | Bradford City | Just promoted, expected to stabilise. |
| 14 | Doncaster Rovers | Safe mid-table prediction, minimal odds movement. |
| 15 | Burton Albion | Priced 2/1 for relegation, but expected to survive narrowly. |
| 16 | Port Vale | Same price as Burton (2/1) — survival depends on home form. |
| 17 | Exeter City | 15/8 to go down — tipped to struggle but just escape. |
| 18 | Northampton Town | 5/4 to be relegated — predicted to battle until late. |
| 19 | Peterborough United | No major backing in either market — mid-bottom finish expected. |
| 20 | Mansfield Town | Rebuilding — just outside the danger zone. |
| 21 | Wycombe Wanderers | Some drift in odds, tipped to struggle this season. |
| 22 | AFC Wimbledon | 1/1 relegation favourites — squad looks thin. |
| 23 | Rotherham United | No support in title or promotion odds, expected to fall. |
| 24 | Leyton Orient | No backing in markets, lowest predicted finish. |
Season Preview
The League One 2025/26 campaign promises to be one of the most competitive in recent years, with a mix of recently relegated Championship sides, and established League One regulars all targeting promotion.
Luton Town enter the season as clear favourites. Their squad has retained a Championship core, and they’ve added proven league one performers in Nahki Wells,Hakeem Odoffin, and Nigel Lonwijk. A return to the second tier looks well within reach if they find early consistency.
Huddersfield Town have strengthened with the signing of Alfie May, who should provide a focal point in attack. They’ll be hoping to avoid the kind of inconsistency that plagued them last term, and their defensive depth will be tested over the course of the season, but they have signed plenty to cover that.
Cardiff City are another side expected to compete at the top end. Their midfield looks balanced and creative, but questions remain over whether they have enough goals to turn draws into wins, especially away from home.
Stockport County and Plymouth Argyle could be this season’s dark horses. Both clubs have momentum, modern tactical setups, and recruitment focused on youth, energy and depth. If they start well, a top-six push is realistic.
Among the chasing pack, Bolton and Blackpool have been backed by punters. Bolton’s home form was a strength last season, while Blackpool may benefit from a settled squad under Steve Bruce. Reading, Wycombe, and Barnsley all look like mid-table contenders unless they can add attacking firepower before the window shuts.
At the other end, AFC Wimbledon are shortest in the relegation market, and that reflects concerns about their squad depth and goal threat. Northampton and Exeter are also under pressure to improve, particularly in defence. Burton and Port Vale may avoid the drop if they can play well at home.
Key fixtures: Luton vs Huddersfield in October and should offer an early indicator of title credentials. Cardiff vs Plymouth in could set the tone for the top-six race, while clashes involving Barnsley, Reading, and Wycombe will shape the playoff picture across the winter months.
Football League Previews: Full Coverage
We’ve previewed all three tiers of the English Football League ahead of the 2025/26 season. Check out our full breakdowns and betting predictions below: