Following the conclusion of the 24/25 season, with teams being promoted from the National League and teams being relegated from League One, sides are starting to make signings for the new season already to prepare for their goals, which has led to football fans anticipating and talking about the upcoming season, which is approaching. Join us as we go through five promotion favourites for League Two in no particular order.
Cambridge United
Our first early promotion favourite that the Lower Tiers have decided to go with is Cambridge United, who will be looking to gain promotion back to League One after their relegation to League Two following the conclusion of the 24/25 season.
With manager Neil Harris at the forefront of the frame, Harris holds the ability to increase team spirit within the squad after a time of lows. This will be crucial in order to gain promotion within League Two.
Additionally, from the previous season, The U’s have key players in their squad who will make up a crucial part and role in their squad for next season. The players that make up the important role, plus a few additions within the summer transfer window, could power Cambridge to the target of promotion out of League Two in the 25/26 season.
MK Dons
Our second addition of early promotion favourites are MK Dons. Paul Warne’s side will be aiming for promotion to League One after failing to do so in the 24/25 season, yet again, after being relegated to League Two in the 22/23 season.
With the recently appointed manager, Warne, leading the side, he has the capability of changing the style of play so that The Dons adopt a more solid and organised style which has been known to get sides promoted out of League Two rather than using possession based football which has not been as successful within the league and at MK.
Additionally, with Warne having a large budget to work with at the London-based side, he could utilise the summer transfer window to rebuild The Dons and work with trustworthy players that he has worked with at his previous clubs, but also keep a minority of players that impressed him at the end of the season. This could boost MK Dons to meet their long-lasting goal of promotion back to League One in the 25/26 season.
Notts County
Notts County are third in our early promotion favourites that we have decided to go with. County will be looking to go a step further in the 25/26 season after unfortunately losing to Wimbledon in the semi-finals of the playoffs in the 24/25 season.
After the recent sacking of Stuart Maynard shows that the owners, Chris and Alex Reedtz, are aiming to strengthen and have a fresh start in the hopes of getting promoted in the 25/26 season. Furthermore, with the owners looking for a new manager, they have the opportunity to appoint one who holds a large amount of experience within League Two, unlike Maynard.
If Notts keep the spine of their team which is the likes of Matty Platt and David McGoldrick as well as this, with sacking the former boss at the end of the season it enables the new boss to come in and have a whole summer transfer window to recruit the players that they think Notts need to get them over the line and be successful in gaining promotion out of League Two in the 25/26 season.
Gillingham
The penultimate early promotion favourite we have decided to go with is Gillingham, who will be aiming for a comeback to League One after their relegation in the 2021/22 season, after multiple failed attempts.
With the recently appointed boss, Gareth Ainsworth, at the helm of the operation, he has the ability to adopt a style of play that suits League Two, which is long ball and solid to support The Gills in gaining promotion. We saw this be successful at the end of the season with a nine-game unbeaten run under Ainsworth, as it showed a strong finish and potential heading into the new campaign.
As well as this, they have key players who impressed Ainsworth with them having a strong finish to the season, so this shows that they could play a big part in next season’s squad. Utilising the summer transfer window, the former Shrewsbury boss could add a few players to help them strengthen and give The Gills the power to be up there for a promotion spot come the end of the 25/26 season.
Salford City
Our final early promotion favourite we have decided to go with is Salford City, who will be looking to be promoted to League One next season following their one-point narrow miss off the playoffs following the conclusion of the 24/25 season.
So if The Ammies are able to keep the spine of their team from the 24/25 season and add a few additions, it would give them the strength and potential to get promoted to League One within the 25/26 season.
Are We Correct?
Do you think we have selected the correct sides, or should we have selected a different side that we have not included within the article? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
