League One Title Contenders

The teams that lost in the previous season’s play-offs and the relegated clubs from the Championship are the ones most likely to become title contenders according to League One betting.

Norwich City, relegated from the second tier in 2008/09, Leeds United and Millwall, both previously play-off losers, were promoted from League One last year, so League One and even League Two betting punters know who to start with when they make their selections.

Sheffield Wednesday, Plymouth Argyle and Peterborough United dropped out of the Championship last term and it is the Owls, relegated on the final day of the season, who are rightly getting most of the attention of the three in the League One winner’s market.

Alan Irvine has plenty of talent used to playing at higher levels at his disposal, whilst striker Paul Heffernan is an astute summer signing. Wednesday certainly seem to have goals and if skipper Darren Purse can organise a leaky defence, an instant return to the Championship seems likely.

Peterborough and Plymouth, led by new managers Gary Johnson and Peter Reid respectively, are set to have transitional seasons after terrible campaigns last time around and play-off berths are the extent of their ambitions.

Charlton Athletic, Huddersfield Town and Swindon Town were the play-off losers last season. In Lee Clark the Terriers have one of the best young managerial talents in the league and are best-placed to improve on last year’s near miss.

However, the favourites for the League One title missed out on a play-off spot last season, albeit by one place after suffering a 10-point penalty. Southampton are the division’s big spenders and already have a strong squad that will surely be added to.

Alan Pardew has sensibly been retained as manager. Dean Hammond, Lee Barnard, Radhi Jaidi and David Connolly are Championship quality players, whilst recent signings Frazer Richardson and Ryan Dickson should also make a big impression. Owner Markus Liebherr is aiming for the Premier League and the 2010/11 League One title will be the starting point of that journey.