Here are our League One predictions for the 2025/26 season. League One looks wide open this season. Yes, Luton and Huddersfield Town are stacked with cash but it’s nowhere near the amount Birmingham were able to spend last season.
The four promoted sides all look likely to compete next season as well and you wouldn’t be surprised if we saw them all staying up.
It looks like it’ll be a pretty even playing field all over the division. So strap yourselves in – the 2025/26 should be one to remember.
1st – Luton Town
It’s no secret that Luton Town have money. With incoming parachute payments of a reported £40 million this season The Hatters have been allowed to spend big in their bid to return to the Championship at the first time of asking.
It’s been a summer of change following back-to-back relegations and understandably so. They’re a club wanting to get rid of that losing mentality that’s been picked up over the last two seasons.
Their unpredictable rapid rise to the Premier League came a little bit too soon but they’ll have hopes and now realistic dreams of getting there again. Firstly, however, they have to get back into the Championship.
Don’t get me wrong, Luton have lost some of their best players this summer. Goalscorer Carlton Morris, prospect Thelo Aasgaard and shining star Alfie Doughty have all gone on their way and taken opportunities further up the ladder.
Star players leaving usually leads to increased transfer funds. Luton Town now have even more money to spend on top of their parachute payments from the Premier League. The 2022/23 Championship Play-Off winners have already brought in a lot of quality this summer but it won’t be stopping there.
Josh Keeley, George Saville, Hakeem Odoffin, Nahki Wells and Kal Naismith are all top additions for a League One club. This is on top of an already impressive squad. It’s hard to get away from thinking Luton will end up as champions.
To further add evidence to this claim, Luton Town ended last season very strongly by winning three of their remaining four games as they just missed out on safety in what would’ve been one of the great escapes.
Something with head coach Matt Bloomfield and Luton Town has clicked. Could they be as dominant at Birmingham City were last season?
2nd – Bolton Wanderers
After a dreadful end to the 2024/25 League One season, you might be surprised to see them as finishing second in our League One predictions. Here’s why.
Since being appointed on the 30th of January this year as Ian Evatt’s successor, head coach Steven Schumacher has finally had a full transfer window and, more importantly, a full pre-season under his belt. At previous club Plymouth Argyle, Schumacher took over as head coach halfway through the 2021/22 season before guiding the Greens to the League One title during the 2022/23 season. Steven Schumacher is dangerous after a full summer.
Aaron Collins won’t be missed after his exit to League Two side MK Dons for a reported fee of £800,000 thanks to the incoming of Sam Dalby from Wrexham. Tricky wingers Thierry Gale (permanent) and Amario Cozier-Duberry (loan) will make Wanderers more direct which is the way the global game is thankfully starting to go once again.
They’ll certainly be a force this season as they look to return to the Championship for the first time since the 2018/19 season.
3rd – Huddersfield Town
Huddersfield Town are largely unpredictable this season. However, I think they’ll be up there but not quite able to sneak into the treasured automatic promotion spots.
They’ve had an outstanding summer transfer window. They’ve addressed every key area of the pitch that was required after a disastrous end to the the 2024/25 campaign. Just three wins in their last 13 games resulted in the Terriers going from automatic promotion candidates to finishing 14 points outside of the Play-Off places.
With impressive additions such as Alfie May, Lynden Gooch, Marcus Harness and Joe Low – just to name a few – Huddersfield Town have to be realistic promotion contenders this season. They’ve thrown money at it. They’re gambling.
Appointing Lee Grant is the biggest gamble they’ve taken this summer, though. For me, this is why Huddersfield don’t quite reach the top two in my League One predictions. The former Premier League outfit were in need of an experienced manager for the division – not a newbie.
Now, this cold turn out to be a masterstroke from the Huddersfield Town hierarchy or it could result in the club cementing their place in League One for years.
This season provides a perfect opportunity to get promoted to the Championship but is Lee Grant the man for that?
4th – Reading
Many Reading fans feared the worst when former head coach Ruben Selles ventured up north permanently to join Hull City in the December of last season. Furthermore, some fans had the right to be skeptical when untried Noel Hunt was drafted in as his replacement on a two-and-a-half year deal.
However, after an early rocky start, Reading look to have unearthed a gem in Noel Hunt. Nine wins and three losses in Readings final 17 league matches last season gave the Royals a late fighting chance of reaching the Play-Offs.
Noel Hunt looks to be the current best upcoming manager in the division. With Reading starting to flourish and their ownership issues behind them – it’s time to start looking up, Royals.
5th – Stockport County
It’s been quite a big clearout so far from Stockport. Isaac Olaofe, Will Collar, Fraser Horsfall, Ibou Touray, Kyle Knoyle and Macauley Southam-Hales have all departed the club after each of them being there for a while.
This could be a period of transition for Dave Challinor and his men as they look to build on their 3rd place finish in League One last season. The Hatters finished only five points off second place Wrexham and their current trajectory suggests that they’ll finish one place better than they did last season. However, for me, there’s not been enough incomings to fill the gaps left by the departing group.
Now, this could all change as Stockport surely aren’t done in the window. Nathan Lowe is reportedly set to be making a loan move from Stoke City to Edgeley Park after bursting onto the scene at Walsall last season – interest that was first reported by The Lower Tiers. Lowe, however, is untested in League One and there’s no guarantee of goals there.
Malik Mothersille looks to be an exciting signing, though. At only 21-years-old the Jamaican forward has already proved he’s capable of impressing in League One with 15 goal contributions in 45 league appearances. He’ll only get better, for sure.
6th – Blackpool
Steve Bruce has certainly used some of his magic this window. His pull has certainly followed him to the north west since his appointment last September.
The Tangerines acted fast in the market this summer to capture free agents Fraser Horsfall and George Honeyman. This then followed by Peacock-Farrell on loan from Birmingham and other notable incomes that will help them in their Play-Off push.
An eleven game unbeaten run last season proves that Steve Bruce is capable of putting a run together in League One. However, he’ll have to do it more consistently next season if they are to achieve their potential.
Blackpool finished 9th last season. With a leaky defence being the main problem. However, Steve Bruce will hope that their defence issues are behind them after signing Michael Ihiekwe and the already mentioned Fraser Horsfall.
7th – Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe were desperately unlucky to not make the automatic promotion spots last season. The Chairboys spent eight weeks at the top of the table in a league that included the team with the record for the most points, Birmingham City. This was thanks to Matt Bloomfield, who jumped ship to join Luton Town midway through the season which saw Mike Dodds become his replacement at Wycombe.
The promotion push carried on and was in their hands as the club entered the final three games of the season. Three losses, albeit against tough opposition, meant that Wycombe had to settle for Play-Offs and they further imploded with a 1-0 aggregate loss to Charlton in the semi-finals.
This slight decrease in overall form since Mike Dodds’ appointment is why I have Wycombe finishing outside the Play-Off places in my League One predictions. They changed from a team that scored goals to fun to the opposite. Matt Bloomfield was in charge for the first 26 league games last season which saw the chairboys win 16 games, lose just four and score 50 goals. In comparison, Mike Dodds took charge of 16 League One games and won seven of them, losing six and scoring only 15 goals.
That drastic change in front of goal is why I’ve got them finishing lower than last season.
8th – Plymouth Argyle
If it was Miron Muslic in charge at Plymouth still, then I would have them a lot higher. However, a relatively inexperienced Tom Cleverley being in charge in what will be a crucial season for Plymouth does pose as a bit of a risk.
Argyle have had an unlucky summer. Their manager and two best players have left the club to explore other opportunities further up the pyramid. They’ll obviously be keen to get back into the Championship to prevent consolidating in League One for years so they had to get it right this summer.
Time will tell if they have done or not. Argyle are well known for unearthing bright fresh talents from out of nowhere – whether that be managers or players. From what I’ve seen so far, though – it could be their worst season for a long time.
9th – Cardiff City
Cardiff City are back in the third division for the first time since 2003. It’s the lowest they’ve fallen since the EFL’s restructure in 2004.
After two short, one season, trips to the Premier League in the 2010s, you’d think that they would flex their muscles a bit in League One. However, the Bluebirds have failed to do that as yet and that’s why I’ve placed them as low as ninth in my League One predictions.
After potentially having to start without a manager going into pre-season, Cardiff had to act fast in order to prevent themselves from slipping away from their promotion rivals when it came down to preparation. Mid-June, the club appointed Brian Barry-Murphy. A highly rated young head coach with a point to prove but, again, experience is lacking.
This season will definitely be the breaking or the making of Barry-Murphy. Being in League One in charge of a club stacked with quality and cash offers him a brilliant chance of early success but it also means that expectations are high. Fail, and it could be curtains for his career in head coaching.
Cardiff City are yet to make a signing and need to get moving in the transfer market. League One is no joke.
10th – Wigan Athletic
It’s about time Wigan started pushing for Play-Offs again and Ryan Lowe is certainly doing his best to change their recent fortunes.
Since his arrival in March this year, Wigan lost just two of their last 11 League One matches. This is slow progression after a poor season by Wigan standards. A big clear out accompanied by adequate incomings was needed this summer.
A full clear out hasn’t been achieved but there may be no need for one. Lowe needed time to gel with his players and pre-season has given him that golden moment which could turn Wigan into a League One powerhouse which has been a common theme over the past decade.
Incomings have been impressive and there’s a clear defined pull that Ryan Lowe has brought with him. The EFL’s first ‘superstar’ (perhaps generous) Paul Mullin has joined on loan from Wrexham. I have no doubt that he’ll bring goals in League One for the Latics.
Dara Costelloe, Callum Wright and Christian Saydee are other impressive incomings with a nod to the future.
It’ll be a much better season for Wigan.
11th – Barnsley
Barnsley could be set for another season of having to languish in League One’s midtable. Something that, like Wigan, has become unusual to them.
It’s been a strange pre-season for Barnsley. Veteran David McGoldrick was a big coup (even at 37-years-old) and Patrick Kelly joining permanently after playing a big part in South Yorkshire rivals Doncaster’s League Two promotion, last term.
However, fans will be disappointed with losing Stephen Humphrys to League One new boys Bradford City. At the time, this suggested a lack of investment and ambition from the owner but that opinion is starting to change after the incomings mentioned above.
Employing untried managers seems to be a common pattern in League One this season and Barnsley’s head coach Conor Hourihane adds to that list. However, other untried managers just have better squads at their disposal. That’s why Barnsley are 11th in my League One predictions.
12th – Bradford City
Bradford City are finally back in League One after six long years of suffering in the division below. The fans were starting to think that it would never happen under previously distant owner Stefan Rupp and rookie CEO Ryan Sparks. That was until the 96th minute of the final game of the season, though, thanks to Antoni Sarcevic (or Fleetwood’s James Bolton).
Since the arrival of David Sharpe, appointed as head of football operations at Bradford City following protests and pressure from the fans for change from the top, the Bantams haven’t looked back.
Transfer windows instantly improved which resulted in City finally getting out of League Two and unlocking that door that’s been holding the club back for so long.
Momentum has been mentioned around the city since January and that’s showing no signs of slowing down. They’ve added serious League One quality to their ranks this summer with the signing of Stephen Humphry’s, the assured Max Power and the experienced Ibou Touray, Matthew Pennington and Joe Wright.
Not only have City added League One quality – they’ve also brought in top prospects that massively impressed in League Two last season. Wing-back Josh Neufville turned down a new contract at the also promoted Wimbledon to join Bradford – a huge mark of intent from the club. Jenson Metcalfe also joins permanently from Everton after being touted as one of League Two’s best midfielder’s last season.
The mix of top-end League One experience and young budding talent has earned Bradford City the title of officially having the best transfer window out of the four newly promoted clubs.
Exciting times for Bradford City fans and Graham Alexander.
13th – Lincoln City
Mid-table is something that Lincoln fans will be getting used to and I don’t think that will be changing this season.
It’s fair to say that the Imps haven’t recruited well enough after failing to retain some of their best players. Ethan Erhahon, Sean Roughan and Paudie O’Connor have all gone on the leave the club this window and accepted other opportunities further up in League One.
For this reason, I think Lincoln reached their current peak in League One last season by finishing 11th.
It’s undoubtedly a worse squad this season but with the talented Michael Skubala in charge, I can’t see the drop off being that dramatic.
14th – Leyton Orient
Goal scoring. Something that Leyton Orient did a lot of last season. They scored 93 goals in all competitions. 40 of them scored by Charlie Kelman and Dan Agyei – they’ve both left the club. That’s 43% of their goals gone.
Kelman is one of those players that seem impossible to replace in League One – especially at Leyton Orient. 20+-goal-a-season strikers are rare, as everyone knows, and it may be a while until the Leyton Orient faithful see another one.
Orients best chance to get promoted to the Championship was last season. A chance shattered by Charlton Athletic which resulted in Wembley heartache for the O’s.
Aaron Connelly is a good signing on paper but seems to be on a downward trajectory in terms of his career, currently. Josh Koroma knows League One well. Idris El Mizouni and Michael Craig are permanent signings that have tons of potential.
It may take a few seasons for Leyton Orient to build again and become promotion candidates.
15th – Doncaster Rovers
Another club riding high on a wave of momentum is Doncaster Rovers.
Fresh from winning the League Two title on the last day of last season, Rovers are straight back to work and building on from that success.
Grant McCann has added depth and quality where needed to give them the best chance of survival and more this season. Matty Pearson, Glenn Middleton and Brandon Hanlan look set to dive straight into the first team. The signings of Robbie Gotts and Sean Grehan overs depth as well as progression.
This is on top of a squad stacked with quality. Luke Molyneux deservedly won the League Two Player Of The Season, last term and I think he’ll fit straight in at this level. Don’t be surprised if a top Championship club comes in for him in the near future.
16th – Rotherham United
The days of Rotherham United yo-yoing between League One and the Championship are over. 16Th could easily been seen as very generous come this time next year.
None of the incomings this summer scream ambition or intent from those above. Neither does the appointment of Matt Hamshaw as head coach. It feels as if the Millers are trying to do things on the cheap at the moment.
The departures of Hakeem Odoffin and Jonson Clarke-Harris helps to free up a big proportion of wages to allow the club to make progress in terms of incomings this window.
However, it seems as if they’ve failed to do that and they’re holding on to the money.
17th Mansfield Town
Mansfield have show the door to a lot of players that were part of that 2023/24 promotion winning team. Christy Pym, Hiram Boateng, Tom Nichols, Aden Flint, Calum MacDonald, George Williams, Lucas Akins and Stephen Quinn were all big parts in Mansfield Town’s recent success.
However, a period of transition was always going to happen with promotion to League One. Nigel Clough still being there is a huge positive and they’ve been proactive and smart in the transfer window so far.
The trio from Nottingham Forest on loan all seem to be top prospects and could instantly make an impact this season. Ryan Sweeney, Liam Roberts, Kyle Knoyle, Regan Hendry and Luke Bolton compliment these signings with bags of EFL experience.
The Stags will be fine.
18th – Burton Albion
Gary Bowyer is, for me, the most underrated manager in the EFL and he has been for some time.
I think nearly everyone predicted relegation was a guarantee after Burton announced the appointment of Gary Bowyer. How wrong people were.
A rocky start for Bowyer seemed to cement this prediction even further. However, something clicked. Bowyer and his men dragged themselves up off of the League Two canvas and came back fighting.
Nine wins in 2025 earnt the Brewers safety in what was one of the great escapes. Full credit to Gary Bowyer.
Burton have money still to spend given the recent departure of Rumarn Burrell to QPR and I really don’t want to underestimate Bowyer again so I think Burton will be OK.
19th – Stevenage
Stevenage have taken to League One like a duck takes to water. To a few people’s surprise, they slotted straight in. The League One era will carry on!
A few signings have been made with a nod to the future and they could take a while to bed-in. However, Alex Revell knows the club inside-out and he knows that his Stevenage side can beat anyone in the division.
They tailed off towards the end of last season and I think that will cause them to start slow this time round. Stevenage will be fine, though.
20th – Port Vale
Port Vale are the side that will just scrape safety in my League One predictions. Here’s why:
Darren Moore simply doesn’t do well when he doesn’t have one of the biggest budgets and best squads in the league he’s managing in. His time at Huddersfield proved this even further. At the time, Huddersfield had perhaps a mid-table Championship budget and squad. With just three wins in 23 matches, Darren Moore was sacked.
His only successes as manager have come with Port Vale, last season, and Sheffield Wednesday – an enormous club for League One.
I’m not taking anything away from Darren Moore, he’s clearly a good manager but I’m just not sure he has what it takes to drive Port Vale on convincingly this season.
21st – Northampton Town
The club in the first relegation spot in my League One predictions is Northampton Town.
Kevin Nolan, since his appointment in December last year, won only seven games last season. He’s another relatively untried manager and the pressure could get to him if Northampton are dragged into a proper relegation scrap.
A lot of work Jon Brady did could be undone this season after an outflux of departures this summer.
However, Northampton would go down with a strong squad after signing some of the leagues top performers this summer.
It’ll be tight.
22nd – Peterborough United
It’s no secret that Peterborough are on a downwards trajectory. Last seasons 18th place finish was their lowest since the 2007/08 season – their last in League Two.
Their best players have all left the club this summer to further the blow of a disappointing previous season. Emmanuel Fernandez joined Rangers, Kwame Poku looked set to be following his (now former) teammate but opted for QPR instead, Ricky Jade-Jones took up an opportunity with St. Pauli in the Bundesliga, Hector Kyprianou left for Watford and Tayo Edun and Mallik Mothersille left Peterborough for what appears to be a better project at Stockport County.
That’s an extensive list. Any club looking to come back from losing that many key players will undoubtedly find it tough.
That new badge might look nice in League Two, though.
23rd – AFC Wimbledon
I love Wimbledon as a club but I can’t see anything other than relegation, I’m sorry.
The team that wins the Play-Offs in League Two hasn’t had a great time dealing with the step up in recent times. Previous winners Carlisle United and Crawley Town both went back down at the first time of asking. That’s not a great sign.
Losing a key player with age on his side to another new League One side is also not a great sign. Josh Neufville joined Bradford City this summer after turning down a chance to stay at Wimbledon.
In Neufville’s first interview as a City player, he stated: “Speaking to the manager, I believe this is the right fit for me. It is difficult to move away from Wimbledon, but I needed a new challenge and coming to Bradford, I knew it would be a good platform to show what I can do in my career”.
That suggests that Wimbledon don’t have a clear plan for how they’ll deal with the step up. However, their transfer business is getting better as the window goes on. The capture of Danilo Orsi is an impressive one I have no doubt that he’ll add goals to that team.
24th – Exeter City
It looks like it’s the end of the road for Exeter City in League One. That’s why I have them down as finishing bottom in my League One predictions.
I respect Exeter as they’re a fan owned club and I wish that we’d see more of them in English football or even implement a system like to 50+1 rule in Germany but that’s a story for another day. Sadly, because many other football clubs are owned by millionaires, billionaires and trillionaires, a fan-owned strategy just isn’t currently sustainable.
After three seasons of League One football, I think Exeter may have reached their current peak. The amount of departures vastly outweighs the amount of arrivals. That suggests that money could be tight. All the best, Exeter.
