At the beginning of the season, here at The Lower Tiers, we tasked Adam Sopf with the daring task of predicting football, specifically League Two.
Using his predictions and a multitude of other factors, I have graded the League and it’s current standings (26th January 2026).
Bristol Rovers – F (Lower Tiers Predicted: 8th), Currently: 22nd
Rovers have 10 losses in a row, the longest losing run in the league, and sit on 22 points from 26 games with a goal difference of minus 25. They have scored only 22 and conceded 46, and their 0–4 home defeat to MK Dons was one of the biggest away wins of the season. A team predicted to finish eighth collapsing into the bottom three with these numbers is the clearest failing grade.
Shrewsbury Town – F (Lower Tiers Predicted: 13th), Currently: 21st
Shrewsbury have 25 points from 26 matches and a goal difference of minus 23. They have scored only 22 goals, one of the lowest tallies in the division, and Salop’s away form has been poor with just 2 wins from 13. A predicted mid‑table side sitting in the bottom four with such weak attacking output earns a failing grade.
Newport County – D– (Lower Tiers Predicted: 20th), Currently: 23rd
Newport have 20 points from 26 games and a goal difference of minus 19. They have won only 4 matches all season and have struggled to score, with just 23 goals. County are falling below an already low prediction and sitting second bottom with these numbers justifies a very low grade.
Harrogate Town – D (Lower Tiers Predicted: 24th), Currently: 24th
Harrogate have 18 points from 27 games and a goal difference of minus 25. They have conceded 44 goals and hold the longest winless run in the league at 17 matches. Meeting a relegation prediction while posting the weakest form in the division keeps them firmly in the D range.
Cheltenham Town – D+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 16th), Currently: 18th
Cheltenham have 30 points from 27 games with 26 goals scored and 45 conceded, leaving them with a goal difference of minus 19. The Robins have lost 15 matches and their recent form shows four defeats in five. Sitting two places below prediction with a weak defensive record earns a D+.
Crawley Town – D+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 23rd), Currently: 20th
Crawley have 22 points from 27 games with 30 goals scored and 47 conceded, giving them a goal difference of minus 17. The Red Devils have lost 15 matches and recently suffered four straight defeats before a single win. They are slightly above their predicted finish, but their numbers remain poor, keeping them in the upper D bracket.
Fleetwood Town – D+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 9th), Currently: 15th
Fleetwood have 34 points from 26 games and a goal difference of 0. They have won only 9 matches and have struggled for consistency, especially away from home. Dropping six places below prediction with middling numbers earns a D+.
Barrow – C- (Lower Tiers Predicted: 22nd), Currently: 19th
Barrow have 24 points from 26 games with 27 goals scored and 39 conceded, resulting in a goal difference of minus 12. They have lost 14 matches and their recent form includes four defeats in five. They are slightly above prediction, but their performances remain poor overall.
Tranmere Rovers – C (Lower Tiers Predicted: 18th), Currently: 17th
Tranmere have 32 points from 27 games with 42 goals scored and 46 conceded, giving them a goal difference of minus 4. They have lost three of their last five and sit almost exactly where predicted. A small over-performance earns a straight C.
Accrington Stanley – C+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 21st), Currently: 16th
Accrington have 34 points from 26 games with 27 goals scored and 28 conceded, leaving them with a goal difference of minus 1. They have won three of their last five and sit five places above prediction. Their improvement earns a C+.
Oldham Athletic – C+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 17th), Currently: 14th
Oldham have 35 points from 26 games with 28 goals scored and 23 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 5. They have taken seven points from their last five matches and sit three places above prediction. A steady over-performance earns a C+.
Barnet – B- (Lower Tiers Predicted: 10th), Currently: 13th
Barnet have 38 points from 26 games with 35 goals scored and 29 conceded, resulting in a goal difference of plus 6. They have won three of their last five but remain three places below prediction. Their numbers are solid, though a new club to the EFL. The slight under-performance keeps them at B-.
Gillingham – B- (Lower Tiers Predicted: 4th), Currently: 12th
Gillingham have 38 points from 26 games with 37 goals scored and 30 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 7. They have drawn two and won two of their last five, but sit eight places below prediction. The Gills underlying numbers are decent, but the gap to expectation keeps them at B-.
Crewe Alexandra – B (Lower Tiers Predicted: 15th), Currently: 11th
Crewe have 39 points from 27 games with 42 goals scored and 35 conceded, leaving them with a goal difference of plus 7. They have taken seven points from their last five and sit four places above prediction. A clear over-performance earns The Railwaymen a B.
Grimsby Town – B (Lower Tiers Predicted: 6th), Currently: 10th
Grimsby have 40 points from 26 games with 38 goals scored and 30 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 8. They have won four of their last five and are trending upward, but still sit four places below prediction. Their strong recent form lifts them to a B.
Chesterfield – B (Lower Tiers Predicted: 3rd), Currently: 9th
Chesterfield have 41 points from 27 games with 43 goals scored and 37 conceded, resulting in a goal difference of plus 6. They are winless in five and have slipped six places below prediction. The Spireites attacking numbers keep them competitive, but the under-performance is clear.
Colchester United – B+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 7th), Currently: 8th
Colchester have 42 points from 26 games with 41 goals scored and 29 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 12. They are unbeaten in five and sit just one place below prediction. The U’s have a strong defensive record earns them a B+.
Notts County – B+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 11th), Currently: 7th
Notts County have 45 points from 26 games with 39 goals scored and 27 conceded, leaving them with a goal difference of plus 12. They have won two of their last five and sit four places above prediction. Notts’ consistency earns a B+.
Swindon Town – A- (Lower Tiers Predicted: 14th), Currently: 6th
Swindon have 46 points from 26 games with 42 goals scored and 31 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 11. The Robins have won two of their last five and sit eight places above prediction. Their attacking strength earns an A-.
Walsall – A (Lower Tiers Predicted: 12th), Currently: 5th
Walsall have 47 points from 26 games with 35 goals scored and 24 conceded, resulting in a goal difference of plus 11. The Saddlers have taken seven points from their last five and sit seven places above prediction. Their defensive solidity earns an A.
Cambridge United – A (Lower Tiers Predicted: 2nd), Currently: 4th
Cambridge have 47 points from 26 games with 34 goals scored and 22 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 12. They have won four of their last five and remain firmly in the promotion race. Dropping two places from a high prediction, in my books should still earn an A for The U’s
Milton Keynes Dons – A (Lower Tiers Predicted: 1st), Currently: 3rd
MK Dons have 47 points from 27 games with 53 goals scored and 29 conceded, leaving them with a league‑best goal difference of plus 24. They have taken eight points from their last five and remain one of the strongest sides in the division. Slightly below prediction, but their numbers can justify an A.
Salford City – A (Lower Tiers Predicted: 5th), Currently: 2nd
Salford have 49 points from 26 games with 39 goals scored and 33 conceded, giving them a goal difference of plus 6. The Ammies have won four of their last five and sit three places above prediction. Their consistency earns a strong A.
Bromley – A+ (Lower Tiers Predicted: 19th), Currently: 1st
Bromley have 55 points from 27 games with 46 goals scored and 28 conceded, resulting in a goal difference of plus 18. They have won four of their last five and sit eighteen places above prediction. No team has exceeded expectations more dramatically than The Ravens, making them the only A+ on our list.
Luke Barras says:
Good article Dylan!
Dylan Gibbs says:
Thank You Luke!