Derby County tipped as favourites for promotion ahead of new season

Derby County to get promoted: 13/8

The Rams lead the way in League One in terms of promotion odds by a comfortable margin at 13/8. This gives Derby roughly a 40% chance of earning promotion to the Championship according to the bookmakers.

Promotion Rivals:

Bolton Wanderers: 11/4

Bolton are currently the second most likely to earn promotion according to the bookmakers. The Trotters finished last season in 5th place, five points ahead of the Rams. However, they fell to Barnsley in the playoff semi-final.

Portsmouth: 3/1

Porstmouth seem to have impressed the bookmakers with their transfer window this summer as they have been tipped for promotion at 3/1 odds. Pompey finished eighth last season and found themselves out of the playoff race, so the third most likley for promotion is a big step up.

Blackpool: 9/2

Blackpool are the highest tipped of the relegated teams from the Championship which would make a lot of sense due to them being in the most stable financial position. The Tangerines, set at 9/2 are expected to mount a challenge to get back into the second tier.

Peterborough United: 9/2

Tipped at the same odds as Blackpool, the Posh claimed the last playoff place last year ahead of the Rams on the last day of the season. The bookmakers expect another playoff challenge from Peterborough.

Barnsley: 9/2

Somewhat suprisingly, the Tykes are tipped behind Portsmouth, Bolton and Derby even though they made the playoff final last year and showed some very strong form towards the end of the season. The lower odds may be down to the slightly quieter transfer window that they have embarked on.

Relegation Odds:

The Rams are 50/1 to get relegated from League One which comes as no suprise, but here are the six teams most likely to face the drop from League One.

Fleetwood Town: 11/8

Fleetwood Town are the most likely to face relegation according to the bookmakers. Again a slightly suprising bet considering that they finished 13th last year and were well clear of the relegation zone.

Cheltenham Town: 6/4

One of the smallest clubs in League One, it doesn’t come as a shock that the Robins ar tipped for relegation. Especially considering that they lost thier star striker Alfie May to Charlton Athletic during the transfer window.

Carlisle United: 13/8

The first of the promoted teams, Carlisle United have been tipped for relegation at 13/8. They do have some good players however and if they can keep hold of the likes of star midfielder Owen Moxon then they could survive.

Northampton Town: 2/1

Northampton Town had a very impressive season last year in League Two. They earnt promotion after finishing third however the bookmakers still believe that the Cobblers will be staring down a tough season this year.

Wigan Athletic: 9/4

Possibly one of the most intruiging clubs going into the new season, financially troubled Wigan Athletic dropped into League One after finishing bottom of the Championship last season. The bookmakers have the Latics fighting to avoid a double relegation.

Cambridge United: 9/4

Tipped at the same as Wigan. Cambridge United are expected to face another tough season this year. The U’s surivived by just one point last season ahead of MK Dons.