Sky Bet EFL: Team-by-team guide to the 2017/18 Championship, League One & League Two

I've already published my betting tips for the Sky Bet Championship, League One and League Two but now let's make sure all angles are covered with a verdict on all 72 clubs in the EFL.

You'll already know that I'm predicting good things for Middlesbrough, Wolves, Fleetwood, Forest Green and Crewe this season. Unfortunately, I can’t be as optimistic about every team!

Read on to find out who I'm backing to go up, down and the many clubs who will end up in the middle of the table...

Sky Bet Championship

1. Middlesbrough

Manager: Garry Monk

Last season: 19th in the Premier League (28 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Middlesbrough to win promotion at 9/4

Middlesbrough's return to the Premier League lasted just one season after suffering relegation as the most monumentally dull side in history to compete in the top-flight. Aitor Karanka's approach was already known in winning promotion from the Championship but Boro cried out for a more attacking approach in the second half of the campaign. It never materialised.

Karanka departed, Steve Agnew took caretaker charge but too late to do anything to avoid the inevitable and now Garry Monk bids to lead the Riverside revival. Monk is, like Karanka, a pragmatist but his Leeds side was also set up to get the best out of Chris Wood, whose career had stalled before the ex-Swansea boss’ arrival, so he can make the most of his forwards.

My ante-post preview talks in more detail about Boro and I'm once again backing them for promotion. A squad enhanced by Britt Assombalonga's arrival, albeit overpriced at £15million, shows that the focus is on adding goals to a resolute defence.

2. Wolverhampton Wanderers

Manager: Nuno

Last season: 15th (58 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Wolves to finish in the top six at 11/8

It requires a show of faith to back Wolves to get things right this season and my ante-post Championship preview argues in more detail why I'm prepared to offer support to the men from Molineux.

Nuno, a former boss of Porto and Valencia, is the latest choice of manager by the club's Chinese owners, Fosun International. He's implementing a patient style to his new side and Jaap Stam proved last season at Reading that there's value in that approach.

Record signing Ruben Neves, a £15million acquisition from Porto, is capable of becoming the star player in the Championship this season. Super-agent Jorge Mendes' involvement at Molineux means there's nothing romantic about Wolves' approach but modern football is rarely the place to go for feel-good stories. Try watching Rocky (the original offering) again if you want a sporting underdog.

3. Fulham

Manager: Slavisa Jokanovic

Last season: Sixth (80 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Fulham to win the play-offs at 12/1

Fulham were the favourites heading into the Championship play-offs a few months ago but Reading always looked the better bet in our tips to reach Wembley. Slavisa Jokanovic now has the Cottagers primed for another promotion challenge and I expect a stronger push for a finish in the top two.

Star players Tom Cairney and Ryan Sessegnon both remain on the books and Jokanovic's style has already proved itself to be strong enough to cope with the rigours of a Championship season. In fact, the only reason to avoid Fulham as contenders is if speculation about the manager's frustration with the club's transfer policy rears its head again.

Jokanovic reportedly wants more Championship experience added to the squad and Fulham fans will hope that the loan signing of Brighton's Oliver Norwood is a step to reconciliation with the board.

4. Aston Villa

Manager: Steve Bruce

Last season: 13th (62 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Aston Villa, Cardiff, Fulham and Sheffield Wednesday all to finish in the play-off positions at 250/1

Aston Villa have made more headlines than any other Championship club this summer by adding John Terry to their squad. The former Chelsea lynchpin has already added captain from his 'captain, leader, legend' moniker to his Villa CV after an early show of faith from Steve Bruce in the 36-year-old.

Terry isn't the only experienced head added to the squad. Glenn Whelan, Chris Samba and Ahmed Elmohamady all have plenty of miles on the clock but there's a decent crop of up-and-coming Championship prospects on the books too, including Conor Hourihane, Scott Hogan and Henri Lansbury.

The money and quality of players at Bruce's disposal means Villa have to be taken seriously as promotion contenders but I prefer Middlesbrough of the two clubs tangling at the top of the outright odds list. A play-off finish is my predicted outcome for the big-hitters.

5. Sheffield Wednesday

Manager: Carlos Carvalhal

Last season: Fourth (81 points)

Worth considering: (Sky Bet odds): Sheffield Wednesday to score 70 or more Championship goals at 5/4

Two play-off finishes in a row have Sheffield Wednesday rightly rated as serious promotion contenders. However, that means the pressure is on Carlos Carvalhal straight from the off and he'll be on his way out of Hillsborough if the Owls fall off the pace.

There is once again plenty to like about Wednesday's chances. Fernando Forestieri, Jordan Rhodes, Sam Winnall, Gary Hooper and Steven Fletcher provide the attacking talent that most Championship clubs can only dream of and a settled squad enhances the Owls' prospects.

I'm not being controversial by predicting more of the same for Wednesday and that's the minimum requirement for Carvalhal to remain in situ.

6. Cardiff City

Manager: Neil Warnock

Last season: 12th (62 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Cardiff to finish in the top six at 3/1

You can't keep a good chiropodist down as 68-year-old Neil Warnock starts his first full season in charge of Cardiff. The Bluebirds have realistic promotion ambitions and they are my favoured club from the middle of the outright odds to mount a serious Premier League push.

Warnock took Cardiff out of relegation trouble to finish in the top half and he's been tinkering with his squad over the summer to aim higher up the standings. Lee Tomlin is the pick of the new faces but a return to form is required from the former Middlesbrough and Bristol City playmaker if promotion aspirations are to be realised.

A worry is continuing speculation over a takeover, which Warnock has denied, as it needs a season without drama off-the-field for the Welsh outfit to thrive.

7. Reading

Manager: Jaap Stam

Last season: Third (85 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Reading to finish in the top half at 4/5

Followers of these tips were in constant clover last term thanks to Reading's strong home form at the Madejski Stadium. The Royals were constantly overpriced for three points on their own turf and it was a traditional weekend boost to get behind Jaap Stam's men at odds-against for a three-point haul.

Reading's push for promotion ended at the final hurdle as they lost on penalties to Huddersfield in the Championship play-off final and it will be a tough ask for Stam to repeat last season's challenge.

I again reckon the Royals have been slightly underestimated by the bookies at 3/1 for a top-six finish but close to even money to end up in the top half provides a more sturdy suggestion.

8. Brentford

Manager: Dean Smith

Last season: 10th (64 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Brentford to finish higher than Norwich at 13/8

Relative to their budget, it's hard to argue against Brentford being the Championship's most impressive performers over the last three seasons with finishes of fifth, ninth and 10th.

I'm backing Dean Smith to lead Brentford to another spot in the top 10 but the bookies are wise to that with the Bees odds-on to end up in the top half.

The play-offs will be just out of reach given the amount of money that rival promotion contenders have to play with and there's also a doubt over star player Jota's future. The Spaniard can unlock doors for any Championship side and his presence is key if Brentford are to exceed expectations.

9. Derby County

Manager: Gary Rowett

Last season: Ninth (67 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Derby to finish higher than Leeds at 8/11

This is the quietest approach to a season in years for Derby and it will be interesting to see if a more under-the-radar approach works for the Rams.

Gary Rowett is clearly a capable operator in the Championship but it's hard to predict a sustained promotion push after the departures of star duo Tom Ince and Will Hughes to the Premier League with Huddersfield and Watford respectively.

Rowett has spoken of his biggest task being to get numbers in the squad down. That's the correct approach but it might mean yet another 12 months before the top-flight is a realistic goal.

10. Norwich City

Manager: Daniel Farke

Last season: Eighth (70 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Norwich to finish outside the top six at 8/13

Huddersfield Town 2: This time it’s East Anglia!

Stuart Webster left Huddersfield to become Norwich's new sporting director in April and he's appointed Daniel Farke as the club's new manager. Farke arrived at Carrow Road after coaching Borussia Dortmund's reserve team, that's the same career trajectory that took Huddersfield's promotion-winning boss David Wagner to England. It should all work out, right?

It might but the sequel is never as good as the original (see Joey and Friends) and there are big changes needed at Carrow Road. Wagner had the luxury of time in charge of Huddersfield before his first full season and I think it's more realistic to give Farke the chance to implement his ideas before an upturn in fortunes.

11. Birmingham City

Manager: Harry Redknapp

Last season: 19th (53 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Aston Villa, Birmingham and Wolves all to finish in the top half at 5/2

Only two victories in four-and-a-half months heaped the pressure on Birmingham and it was down to Harry Redknapp to avoid relegation in a three-match rescue mission.

Two wins against Huddersfield and Bristol City just about got the job done so it's no surprise that Redknapp has been handed the keys to St Andrew's on a full-time basis. He's been busy reshaping his squad over the summer with Barnsley defender Marc Roberts and Brighton goalkeeper David Stockdale the most impressive signings so far.

Expect more new arrivals to follow and a push for the play-offs, although reaching the top six is a step too far.

12. Sheffield United

Manager: Chris Wilder

Last season: Sky Bet League One champions (100 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Billy Sharp to be top goalscorer at 40/1

Chris Wilder is looking to make it a hat-trick of title successes in three seasons after winning League One and League Two with Sheffield United and Northampton respectively over the last couple of years.

I don't think the Blades will go quite that well but I'm sure Wilder has the nous to stay out of trouble in his first experience of managing at this level. The United fans are the most, no pardon for the pun, united behind a manager they've been in years and he's sure to get the time to get things right. That’s after climbing to the top last term even after a slow start.

Billy Sharp is a big price to end the season as the Championship's top goalscorer. He's netted 51 goals over the last two seasons in League One and this Blades outfit is set up to deliver chances for the experienced forward.

13. Leeds United

Manager: Thomas Christiansen

Last season: Seventh (75 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Leeds to finish higher than Sunderland at 4/5

Leeds remain one of the biggest clubs in the Championship but it still surprised me to see that Garry Monk had the Whites pushing for a play-off place.

That top-six finish fell out of reach after only claiming six of the final 24 points on offer and that was that as Monk moved on for Middlesbrough. Now Leeds enter the new campaign with the surprise appointment of former APOEL Nicosia boss Thomas Christiansen as the club’s new manager and an array of signings from across Europe.

I reckon the Whites overachieved slightly last term so I'm going to predict a return to Leeds' previous five finishes in the Championship when they ended up 14th, 13th, 15th, 15th and 13th in the standings.

14. Bristol City

Manager: Lee Johnson

Last season: 17th (54 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Bristol City to finish higher than Hull at 5/4

Bristol City are clearly aiming high after spending £5.3million on striker Famara Diedhiou from French Ligue 1 club Angers.

The Senegal international scored nine goals in 36 appearances in France's top flight last season but he'll need a better return than that to replace Tammy Abraham, the loan striker from Chelsea who has now joined Swansea for the new campaign.

Lee Johnson's managerial career so far at Oldham, Barnsley and City has been characterised by sustained good and bad runs. More consistency is needed to get the Robins in the promotion shake-up and a run of one win in 15 games, like City suffered at the end of 2016, will see the pressure heaped on the Ashton Gate chief.

15. Sunderland

Manager: Simon Grayson

Last season: Bottom of the Premier League (24 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Hull and Sunderland both to finish in the bottom half at 9/2

Simon Grayson is an eminently sensible appointment from Sunderland to replace David Moyes but it's going to take time to get things back on track at the Stadium of Light.

A miserable Premier League season ended at the bottom of the standings after years of struggle and star performers Jermain Defoe and Jordan Pickford have understandably departed.

Aiden McGeady is the pick of the new arrivals after impressing for Grayson's Preston last term but I don't think Sunderland fans should be too unhappy with a campaign of consolidation. That's unless the new manager gets a sudden influx of transfer funds.

16. Queens Park Rangers

Manager: Ian Holloway

Last season: 18th (53 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): QPR to finish higher than Nottingham Forest at 11/10

Ian Holloway has allowed the smiles to return to QPR but it's going to take an absolutely monumental effort to finish any higher than mid-table.

The days of big-spending to secure Premier League football are over and that's to be commended as it left the club in financial strife.

Unfortunately, money talks more and more every season in the Championship but getting the best out of the squad already at Holloway's disposal should have QPR away from trouble.

17. Ipswich Town

Manager: Mick McCarthy

Last season: 16th (55 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Ipswich to finish bottom of the Southern Group at 5/4 (with Bristol City, Reading, Cardiff and Norwich)

It's easy to see why Ipswich fans feel underwhelmed by a 16th season in English football's second tier. The Tractor Boys have lost in the play-offs three times during that tenure and that's not much excitement to write about from over a decade-and-a-half of watching football.

Mick McCarthy is taking a lot of stick from the Ipswich fans but it's difficult to see what else the former Republic of Ireland boss can do. It's true that his football isn't the easiest on the eye but it would take a complete change in direction, like Huddersfield under David Wagner, to get higher than mid-table.

The danger of twisting is that you end up like Wigan under Warren Joyce and playing your football in League One. There’s a decision to make if anything is to change at Portman Road.

18. Hull City

Manager: Leonid Slutsky

Last season: 18th in the Premier League (34 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Hull to finish in the bottom half at 11/8

Marco Silva worked wonders to bring Hull to the edge of Premier League survival but it wasn't enough and the Portuguese has taken the chance to stay in the top-flight with Watford.

That leaves the Tigers to get ready for life back in the Championship under former Russia boss Leonid Slutsky and I don't think he'll get his new employers at the right end of the table.

Hull have lost all of their most impressive performers from last term bar Sam Clucas remains for now and I just don't see a place for the Tigers in the top half.

19. Burton Albion

Manager: Nigel Clough

Last season: 20th (52 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Burton to finish higher than Preston at 7/4

Burton proved me wrong by staying in the Championship and I'm now converted to predict another finish outside of the relegation places for the Brewers. That's despite the Staffordshire outfit again being priced up as relegation favourites.

Nigel Clough knows exactly what he's doing to make Burton hard to beat and the division's top clubs will continue to find the Pirelli Stadium a most unwelcoming place.

Jackson Irvine is the star performer for the Brewers and keeping the Australia international midfielder is crucial to the club's survival scrap. The arrival of Liam Boyce, top scorer in the Scottish Premiership last season, provides a bit more quality in attack (Boyce has been ruled out for most of the season because of a knee injury since this preview was published) but it's all about the team for Clough.

20. Nottingham Forest

Manager: Mark Warburton

Last season: 21st (51 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Nottingham Forest to finish bottom of the Midlands Group at 7/2 (with Burton, Birmingham, Derby, Wolves and Aston Villa)

Nottingham Forest have finished 19th, 8th, 11th, 14th, 16th and 21st over the last six Championship seasons and it's another finish outside of the promotion and relegation places in store for the former European champions.

It took until the last day of the campaign for Forest to stay up last time out, beating Ipswich 3-0 at the City Ground, and another season of worry is ahead.

Star striker Britt Assombalonga's departure is a big blow, although there is no way that an offer of £15million could be rejected. Daryl Murphy (Newcastle) and Jason Cummings (Hibernian) are the new forwards to get the goals but Mark Warburton has a tough task to get Forest even close to their former glories.

21. Millwall

Manager: Neil Harris

Last season: Sixth in Sky Bet League One - play-off winners (73 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Millwall to finish bottom of the London Group at 11/10 (with QPR, Brentford and Fulham)

Millwall won the League One play-off final at the second time of asking but it's a challenging step up back to the Championship.

Neil Harris doesn't have the funds to compete with the many big-hitters across the division and a fight for survival has to be the prediction.

The Lions have added some star performers from League One, Conor McLaughlin (Fleetwood) and James Meredith (Bradford) both boosting the backline, and a resolute approach is key to their bid to avoid an immediate return to League One. It will be close but I'm going for the Lions to just about avoid the bottom three.

22. Preston North End

Manager: Alex Neil

Last season: 11th (62 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Preston to be relegated at 9/2

I wouldn't have predicted Preston for a finish in the relegation zone until the end of last month when manager Simon Grayson departed for Sunderland. Grayson deserves his chance at the Stadium of Light after leading North End to a top-half finish last term but it puts the pressure on his former employers heading into the new campaign.

Aiden McGeady, who produced his best performances for years during a loan spell at Deepdale, has also arrived at Sunderland to leave Preston short of their magician.

Alex Neil is an understandable appointment with experience of promotion from the Championship. However, this is a much different challenge to Norwich and it will be interesting to see how he copes, although his role in getting Hamilton to punch above their weight in Scotland does provide hope.

23. Barnsley

Manager: Paul Heckingbottom

Last season: 14th (58 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Barnsley to be relegated at 2/1

I don't like predicting Barnsley for relegation as I admire lots about the approach at Oakwell. However, just one win in their final 14 games last season combined with the departure of more first-team players makes it a tough task for Paul Heckingbottom to keep the Tykes out of trouble.

Losing Marc Roberts (Birmingham), Marley Watkins (Norwich) and Josh Scowen (QPR) to Championship rivals after star duo Conor Hourihane (Aston Villa) and Sam Winnall (Sheffield Wednesday) moved on in January leaves a huge amount of pressure on the influx of youngsters arriving to fill the gap.

It's credit to Barnsley that they are - in my view correctly - sticking with their approach of handing chances to players lacking first-team experience, but the Championship is a tough school in which to learn.

24. Bolton Wanderers

Manager: Phil Parkinson

Last season: Second in Sky Bet League One (86 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Bolton to finish bottom at 11/2

Bolton are back in the Championship after spending the shortest possible time in League One but I predict the return will last just one season.

Phil Parkinson produced a resolute side last term to win promotion but the challenge to compete in the Championship is so great that free transfers just won't cut it.

The good news for Wanderers is that a winding-up petition from HM Revenue & Customs was settled last week. However, it doesn't look like the Trotters are ready for the step back up given the amount of money flowing throughout the division. Wigan and Burton both finished in the bottom five last term after winning automatic promotion from League One to show the tough task at hand for Bolton.

Sky Bet League One

1. Fleetwood Town

Manager: Uwe Rosler

Last season: Fourth (82 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Fleetwood to win the title at 18/1

My League One betting preview argues in greater detail why Fleetwood are massively overpriced to repeat last season's promotion push. The Cod Army are rated by some bookies as the 16th most likely side to lift the title and I just can't have that as anywhere close to accurate.

Uwe Rosler has proved himself as one of the division's top managers and it's a huge boost that the German remains at Highbury after being linked with Norwich and Preston during the summer.

I expect another top-six finish for the fast-progressing club and an improvement of three places from last term to finish top isn't out of the question.

2. Wigan Athletic

Manager: Paul Cook

Last season: 23rd in the Sky Bet Championship (42 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Wigan to win promotion at 5/2

Wigan's return to the Championship after winning the League One title lasted just one season following an appalling series of decisions at the DW Stadium. Manager Gary Caldwell was sacked too quickly after a slow start and former Manchester United coach Warren Joyce looked like a rabbit in the headlights as soon as he was hired.

Paul Cook is a more sensible choice to take charge of the Latics after leading Portsmouth to the League Two title and his new employers will be in the promotion hunt.

Some Wigan fans don't seem confident about their side's chances but the squad is full of strong performers at this level and Cook knows exactly what is required. Expect plenty of fun too if both Wigan and Portsmouth end up in the promotion battle.

3. Milton Keynes Dons

Manager: Robbie Neilson

Last season: 12th (61 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): MK Dons to win the play-offs at 14/1

Steven Gerrard ended up giving the top job at MK Dons a swerve last season so former Hearts boss Robbie Neilson leads the promotion charge.

Neilson impressed greatly during his time at Tynecastle and he must be better prepared for the new campaign after tasting League One during the Dons' mid-table finish last term.

Ethan Ebanks-Landel, a key part of Sheffield United's title-winning defence, is a great season-long loan signing from Wolves and Mali international Ousseynou Cisse is another interesting addition. I fancy the Dons to challenge and so do the bookies at 2/1 for a top-six finish.

4. Bradford City

Manager: Stuart McCall

Last season: Fifth (79 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Bradford to finish higher than Blackburn at 13/8

I fancied Bradford to edge to victory over Millwall in the League One play-off final but it wasn't to be as a late Steve Morison goal secured promotion for the Lions.

Now the Bantams must go again and they are more than good enough to get back in the play-off mix. Charlie Wyke will be better for his first experience in League One after joining from Carlisle in January and Stuart McCall must be pleased with summer swoops for Jake Reeves (AFC Wimbledon) and Shay McCartan (Accrington).

A push for the top two is possible but I'm going for another play-off finish.

5. Portsmouth

Manager: Kenny Jackett

Last season: Sky Bet League Two champions (87 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Portsmouth to reach the play-offs at 11/4

Portsmouth have finally escaped League Two at the fourth time of asking and they did so in style as 22 points out of 24 in the run-in secured the title.

There's been a change of manager though in the summer as Paul Cook left for Wigan to be replaced by Kenny Jackett, last seen saying hello and goodbye in quick succession at Rotherham. Jackett is a very sensible appointment and a positive start to his tenure will send that miserable stay with the Millers to the history books.

Portsmouth are the best equipped of the promoted clubs to challenge but, as has been the case for a number of years, the odds are short enough as third favourites for the title to take a wide berth.

6. Bristol Rovers

Manager: Darrell Clarke

Last season: 10th (66 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Bristol Rovers to finish in the top six at 9/4

It's amazing now to look back to 2014 and Bristol Rovers' fall out of the EFL and the derision that was heaped on manager Darrell Clarke by the club's fans. That's not to have a pop at the followers of the Pirates - the club should never have been anywhere near dropping into non-league football.

In the three seasons since, back-to-back promotions and a top-half finish in League One have Clarke anointed as the best thing since sliced bread and I envisage another positive campaign.

I hoped for bigger odds than 9/4 for Rovers to finish in the top six but the bookies have joined myself in making the Pirates serious play-off contenders.

7. Rochdale

Manager: Keith Hill

Last season: Ninth (69 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Rochdale to finish in the top half at evens

Keith Hill continues to have Rochdale punching well above their weight in League One.

Dale finished an impressive ninth last season and I have no reason to doubt that the men from Spotland are capable of a similar push for the play-offs with Hill at the controls.

More young prospects can be expected to come off the Rochdale conveyor belt - watch out for 17-year-old Aaron Morley, with Callum Camps already one to watch. A top-six finish isn't out of the question but probably just about out of reach.

8. Bury

Manager: Lee Clark

Last season: 19th (50 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Bury to finish higher than Scunthorpe at evens

Bury have been very busy in the summer transfer window but Lee Clark has plenty of work to do in order to get his charges into a cohesive unit.

The Shakers are, alongside Northampton, the side capable of upsetting the applecart in League One but I'm not convinced they can crack the play-offs.

I worry that Bury have signed too many players who have already peaked, Jermaine Beckford and Nicky Ajose for example, and the loss of James Vaughan to Sunderland would hurt any club at this level greatly.

9. Blackburn Rovers

Manager: Tony Mowbray

Last season: 22nd in the Sky Bet Championship (51 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Blackburn to finish outside the top six at 5/4

I'm going to take on title favourites Blackburn. Rovers only suffered relegation from the Championship on the final day of last season but I can't find any logic to back a trouble-free promotion out of League One.

Owners Venky's described going down as a "temporary setback" but I'm more inclined to side with Blackburn Rovers Supporters Trust chairman John Murray, who said: "We are in a spiral of decline with owners who seem to have lost interest with their toy."

A spiral of decline can't be ended in one summer despite the best efforts of the doughty Tony Mowbray, who has raised spirits with decent signings like Bradley Dack and Paul Caddis. The squad is set up to challenge for promotion but I can't trust Blackburn at 13/8 to go up.

10. Southend United

Manager: Phil Brown

Last season: Seventh (72 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Southend to finish in the top half at 4/6

Just six points from the final 18 available at the end of last season saw Southend fall short of a place-off place and that has to have stung even the uber-confident Phil Brown.

The Shrimpers failed when the pressure was at its most intense and that means a case cannot be made for a real promotion challenge. Michael Kightly is an eye-catching acquisition after his key role in Burton retaining their Championship status last season, while Michael Turner is another new arrival from the Premier League's past.

Southend are more than capable of a top-six finish but extra steel is still required.

11. Peterborough United

Manager: Grant McCann

Last season: 11th (62 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Peterborough to finish higher than Scunthorpe at 10/11

I backed Peterborough for promotion in my ante-post League One preview this time last year but that tip never looked like coming good.

Posh proceeded to go through the motions in a tedious season and I'm not sure they can push on too much this time around.

Alex Penny (Nuneaton), Ricky Miller (Dover) and Danny Lloyd (Stockport) are all interesting signings from non-league but it will take time to find their feet. The play-offs will again remain just out of reach.

12. Oxford United

Manager: Pep Clotet

Last season: Eighth (69 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Oxford to finish higher than Charlton at 5/6

You could have made a strong case for Oxford pushing for promotion in this campaign as the 2016/17 season ended.

Manager Michael Appleton had overseen season-by-season improvement at the Kassam Stadium with Chris Maguire, Conor McAleny and John Lundstram just three of the quality performers in his squad. During the off-season, however, all four of those men have departed and it's left to new boss Pep Clotet to quell anxiety from a section of the club's fans.

The signing of midfielder Xemi from Barcelona is an indicator of interesting times ahead and I predict a slow start from the U's before a climb up the table in the second half of the season.

13. Northampton Town

Manager: Justin Edinburgh

Last season: 16th (53 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Northampton to finish higher than Doncaster at evens

Northampton and Bury are the two wildcards in League One this season.

The Cobblers failed to push on as much as I expected last time out as they finished in lower mid-table after storming to the League Two title 12 months previously. Now expectations have been raised by the takeover of the club by Chinese investors - Guangzhou-based 5USport - but a drastic upturn is needed in the quality of the squad.

The signings of Aaron Pierre and Matt Crooks represent a good start but the Cobblers will realistically take just a small step forward.

14. Scunthorpe United

Manager: Graham Alexander

Last season: Third (82 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Scunthorpe to finish in the bottom half at 11/10

Scunthorpe were right in the mix for automatic promotion at the turn of the year but it all went sour for the Iron in the second half of the campaign.

A play-off finish was still secured but Millwall got the better of Graham Alexander's men in the semi-finals to leave Wembley a distant dream.

Alexander has altered his squad over the summer but I'm not convinced Scunthorpe have what it takes for another tilt at promotion. The Iron are one of many sides I predict to flirt with the top six but ultimately fall short.

15. Charlton Athletic

Manager: Karl Robinson

Last season: 13th (60 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Charlton to finish in the bottom half at 6/5

Charlton continue to make headlines as one of the many clubs in the EFL with a complete disconnect between the fans and owners. Roland Duchatelet is an unloved figure at The Valley but reports that the Belgian is ready to sell up have yet to come to anything.

Karl Robinson impressed during his tenure at MK Dons but Charlton is no place for a manager to enhance his reputation. It's hard to see the current Addicks manager coming through the season unscathed.

Another dull campaign is most likely but 15/2 for relegation will look a big price if Charlton start slowly.

16. Oldham Athletic

Manager: John Sheridan

Last season: 17th (53 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Oldham to finish higher than Walsall at 5/4

I fancy Oldham to spring a relative surprise and stay away from trouble with a mid-table finish.

The Latics are second favourites behind Shrewsbury in the relegation betting but the grumpy John Sheridan knows what he's doing and SportsDirect.com Park - the romantic name for the old Boundary Park - is to his liking.

The former Republic of Ireland international has returned to keep Oldham in League One for both of the last two seasons and I fancy him to finally see out a full campaign in charge of a club – something he hasn’t done since the 2014/15 renewal at Plymouth.

17. Doncaster Rovers

Manager: Darren Ferguson

Last season: Third in Sky Bet League Two (85 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Doncaster to finish higher than Plymouth at 4/6

It took just one season for Doncaster to return to League One after their surprising relegation 12 months earlier.

Rovers led the way for much of the League Two campaign but slipped to third behind Portsmouth and Plymouth over the final fences.

That won't cause any worries for Darren Ferguson as he prepares Doncaster for the big kick-off and I'm sure this term will see the Keepmoat Stadium witness the return to mid-table predictability in the third tier.

18. AFC Wimbledon

Manager: Neal Ardley

Last season: 15th (57 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): AFC Wimbledon to lose their opening three League One games at 12/1

AFC Wimbledon stuttered to the finishing line at the end of last season but I don't see reason for fans to panic too much.

Retaining their League One status has to be considered a success for the Dons and I expect them to do just that again this term.

Boss Neal Ardley's stock must be rising so the biggest problem should prove to be interest from higher up the football pyramid in his services.

19. Plymouth Argyle

Manager: Derek Adams

Last season: Second in Sky Bet League Two (87 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Plymouth to finish in the bottom half at 4/6

Plymouth are back in League One but the strength of the division means they'll face a serious examination of their quality.

The good news is that manager Derek Adams is an extremely capable operator and I expect him to navigate the Pilgrims to safety.

Star player Graham Carey's decision to sign a new contract is a huge boost but there will be interest again in the Irishman if he steps up to the third tier with ease.

20. Shrewsbury Town

Manager: Paul Hurst

Last season: 18th (51 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Shrewsbury to finish higher than Gillingham at evens

Shrewsbury are the favourites in the relegation betting but I expect a decent scrap from them in the bid to retain their place in League One.

Paul Hurst made a big impact at Greenhous Meadow last season, although a winless March did put the Shrews back in trouble before eight points from the final 15 available kept a two-point gap to the bottom four.

Hurst has understandably been busy in the summer transfer window and I expect another influx of deals in January to help with the bid to stay up.

21. Rotherham United

Manager: Paul Warne

Last season: Bottom of the Sky Bet Championship (23 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Rotherham to be relegated at 9/2

I reckon it's more misery ahead for Rotherham in the new campaign. Millers fans seem more confident that a return to form is in store after last season's disastrous 23-point haul in the Championship but so much has to change.

It's a big surprise to me that Paul Warne remains in charge of the Millers after saying in December: "I’m truly honest, and would say to him (owner Tony Stewart) I’m not a manager (if asked to remain as boss)."

Warne has been persuaded to remain as the Rotherham chief but the overhaul to his squad has so far failed to impress me.

22. Walsall

Manager: Jon Whitney

Last season: 14th (58 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Walsall to be relegated at 11/4

Walsall are fifth in the relegation odds list and I can see why the bookies expect a season of struggle given the push by other clubs to improve their standing.

The Saddlers finished 14th last season to regress from a play-off finish 12 months earlier and there's nothing to suggest that anything other than a further downturn is on the cards.

Playmaker Erhun Oztumer's future is key to Walsall's changes, he's been linked with a summer switch and that would be disastrous for the Saddlers.

23. Blackpool

Manager: Gary Bowyer

Last season: Seventh in Sky Bet League Two - play-off winners (70 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Blackpool to be relegated at 6/4

Gary Bowyer was one of the star managers in the EFL last season as he led Blackpool back up to League One at the first attempt. The Seasiders came through the League Two play-offs and Bowyer will be deserving of more silverware if he manages to avoid a return to the bottom tier.

Blackpool's off-field problems have been well documented and saying there's a disconnect between the club's owners and the fans is putting it extremely mildly.

Bowyer has talked during the summer of the problems of high wages in League One and his recruitment drive so far has failed to raise expectations of anything other than a season of struggle.

24. Gillingham

Manager: Adrian Pennock

Last season: 20th (50 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Gillingham to finish bottom at 7/1

I can't find anything for Gillingham fans to be optimistic about.

A run of just one win in nine games at the end of last season saw the Gills dragged into trouble and they only avoided the drop with a one-point advantage over fourth-bottom Port Vale.

Key players Bradley Dack and Cody McDonald have now departed as well and Adrian Pennock has it all to do if he's going to keep Gillingham in League One. I think it's too tough a task for the former Forest Green boss.

Sky Bet League Two

1. Mansfield Town

Manager: Steve Evans

Last season: 12th (66 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Mansfield to win the title at 9/2

Steve Evans may not be everybody's cup of tea but he's a very, very good manager in the lower leagues. The Scot has led both Crawley and Rotherham to promotion out of League Two and I'm very confident that he'll complete the hat-trick with Mansfield.

The Stags flirted with the play-offs after Evans replaced Adam Murray as boss last season and an overhaul in the squad has me predicting much better things in the months ahead.

The bookies agree, with Mansfield priced up as title favourites, and there's no reason to disparage their odds.

2. Luton Town

Manager: Nathan Jones

Last season: Fourth (77 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Luton to win promotion at 13/8

Luton have to go up this season. The Hatters finished fourth last term but proceeded to make a meal of their play-off semi-final against Blackpool to leave boss Nathan Jones with plenty to ponder during the summer.

Jones has made his squad even stronger with Crawley striker James Collins, Birmingham midfielder Andrew Shinnie and Brentford's Alan McCormack leading the way as eye-catching signings.

Jack Marriott and Cameron McGeehan have moved up the EFL ladder but star striker Danny Hylton remains and he's part of a stronger pool of players that must get over the line in the promotion race.

3. Forest Green Rovers

Manager: Mark Cooper

Last season: Third in the Vanarama National League - play-off winners (86 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Forest Green to finish in the top seven at 5/2

Forest Green shouldn't be written off as simply the village team in the EFL.

Rovers have been well funded to challenge for promotion out of the National League and there's no fairytale aspect to their story. That's not a knock on chairman Dale Vince or anybody at the club; their professionalism and approach has clearly generated results.

Forest Green are used to fighting for promotion over the last three years and I think Mark Cooper can use his EFL experience to have Rovers right in the mix.

4. Swindon Town

Manager: David Flitcroft

Last season: 22nd in Sky Bet League One (44 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Swindon to win the play-offs at 14/1

Swindon wrote the textbook of how not to go through a season as they fell out of League One. Boss Luke Williams was left floundering as the appointment of director of football Tim Sherwood turned into a disaster, the ex-Tottenham and Aston Villa manager failing to make any impact at the County Ground.

The good news is that a line appears to have been drawn, on the field at least, with the appointment of David Flitcroft to the hotseat.

That looks like a very good decision to me as Flitcroft has experience of promotion from League Two with Bury. The former Shakers chief is in the process of improving a squad that suffered relegation due to mismanagement across the club rather than a lack of quality players.

5. Colchester United

Manager: John McGreal

Last season: Eighth (69 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Colchester to finish higher than Coventry at 6/4

Colchester left it just too late to secure a play-off place last season after climbing up from second-bottom of the table in mid-November.

The U's finished the campaign with a six-match unbeaten run and I think there's every chance that John McGreal's men snatch a top-seven finish this time out.

Mikael Mandron is an interesting addition to the frontline. The striker joined Wigan, of the Championship at the time, from non-league Eastleigh in January but didn't get any chance to impress and he's now dropped down to League Two for the chance to prove his worth in the EFL.

6. Crewe Alexandra

Manager: David Artell

Last season: 17th (55 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Crewe to finish in the top seven at 4/1

Crewe are my fancy to surprise in League Two. The Alex didn't pull up any trees when finishing 17th last season but rookie manager David Artell has impressed since replacing Steve Davis and he's boosted his squad over the summer.

Experienced duo Michael Raynes and Chris Porter are both crucial additions and former Aston Villa striker Jordan Bowery still has the potential to shine after a frustrating season with bottom-of-the-table Leyton Orient.

George Ray's decision to sign a new contract is another reason to smile and I like Crewe to prove the odds wrong and challenge at the right end of the standings.

7. Lincoln City

Manager: Danny Cowley

Last season: Vanarama National League champions (99 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Matt Green to be top goalscorer at 33/1

National League title winners and FA Cup quarter-finalists Lincoln are back in League Two and optimism couldn't be any higher at Sincil Bank. I fancy the Imps to go well but the bookies are quoting the Imps as fourth favourites for the title so I'll take a swerve from a betting perspective.

Striker Matt Green is my player to watch as he looks to reinvigorate his career after leaving Mansfield and signing midfielder Michael Bostwick from Peterborough is a hugely impressive acquisition.

Danny Cowley will continue to add to his burgeoning reputation as Lincoln take their place in the promotion shake-up.

8. Wycombe Wanderers

Manager: Gareth Ainsworth

Last season: Ninth (69 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Wycombe to finish higher than Cambridge at 6/5

Wycombe manager Gareth Ainsworth is entering the fourth year of a five-year plan and the target this season is promotion.

The Chairboys certainly have the capability of challenging for a place in League One after finishing just one point outside the play-offs last time out.

Adebayo Akinfenwa remains a talisman but the loss of key defender Aaron Pierre to Northampton is disappointing. I fancy Wycombe to again challenge for the top seven but they'll have plenty of other contenders to deal with.

9. Accrington Stanley

Manager: John Coleman

Last season: 13th (65 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Accrington to finish higher than Chesterfield at evens

Accrington came up just short last season in the sprint for the play-offs and I expect another push for a top-seven finish this time around.

John Coleman is one of League Two's most canny managers and he's once again been tinkering his squad for the new term. The departure of the hugely impressive Shay McCartan to Bradford is a blow but that's nothing new for Coleman to deal with after star duo Josh Windass and Matt Crooks both joined Rangers last summer.

Expect more prospects to emerge from the Stanley squad in the coming months and a challenge for the play-offs.

10. Exeter City

Manager: Paul Tisdale

Last season: Fifth (71 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Exeter to finish higher than Coventry at 5/4

Exeter's top-seven finish and run to second in the final League Two handicap standings were a boost for followers of these EFL tips last season. I'd certainly written off any chance of success as the Grecians stumbled around the lower reaches of the table just before the turn of the year.

Paul Tisdale's men ended up losing the play-off final to Blackpool and I think it will be tough to repeat the charge that concluded the previous campaign.

Ollie Watkins, one of the best players in the division, has moved up to the Championship with Brentford and Tisdale has plenty more work to do to boost ranks before the transfer window slams shut.

11. Stevenage

Manager: Darren Sarll

Last season: 10th (67 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Stevenage to finish in the top half at 10/11

Stevenage surprised myself and other onlookers last term as they seriously challenged for a play-off place.

Striker Matt Godden was the star performer after stepping up from non-league with Ebbsfleet and he's sure to be crucial to the Boro's chances of a top-seven finish.

Blair Turgott (Bromley) and Danny Newton (Tamworth) are two of the latest non-league names signed up by boss Darren Sarll and there's the capability for Stevenage to once again worry some of the division's more-fancied sides.

12. Chesterfield

Manager: Gary Caldwell

Last season: Bottom of Sky Bet League One (37 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Chesterfield to finish higher than Notts County at evens

Chesterfield manager Gary Caldwell has given his squad a much-needed makeover during the summer but the pressure is on straight away after a meek relegation from League One.

Caldwell was a highly-rated managerial prospect after being harshly sacked by Wigan only months following their League One title success. However, he hasn't been able to get anything right at the Proact Stadium so far and we should know pretty quickly whether there's any chance of promotion.

Chesterfield have the quality to challenge but I reckon a finish just outside of the play-offs is more likely.

13. Cambridge United

Manager: Shaun Derry

Last season: 11th (66 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Cambridge to finish higher than Coventry at 11/8

Cambridge aren't far off being ready to challenge for the play-offs but I reckon a number of sides are ahead of them in the promotion race.

The U's are heavily reliant on midfield lynchpin Luke Berry and talk of a summer move for the 25-year-old, who netted 22 goals last term, is a worry.

Keeping Berry is the biggest challenge for Shaun Derry before the summer transfer window closes and the midfielder's presence is the key to whether Cambridge have the capability of scrapping for the top seven.

14. Notts County

Manager: Kevin Nolan

Last season: 16th (56 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Notts County to finish in the bottom half at 13/8

I've found Notts County one of the toughest teams in League Two to work out ahead of the big kick-off.

The Magpies have finished 17th, 19th and 21st over the last three seasons in the bottom tier and it's going to take a heck of a lot of work to challenge at the right end of the standings.

Kevin Nolan is an optimistic character in the Meadow Lane hotseat but my inkling is that more work is required before the Magpies are ready to start their journey back up the EFL.

15. Grimsby Town

Manager: Russell Slade

Last season: 14th (62 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Grimsby to finish higher than Carlisle at 11/8

Russell Slade is back at Grimsby but I predict another mid-table finish for the Mariners in their second season back in the EFL.

Marcus Bignot's tenure at Blundell Park won't live long in the memory but the sacked manager was hindered by the departure of star striker Omar Bogle to Wigan in January.

There isn't the quality required in the squad to push for promotion but Grimsby are better than the division's strugglers.

16. Coventry City

Manager: Mark Robins

Last season: 23rd in Sky Bet League One (39 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Coventry to finish in the bottom half at 9/4

Coventry are third-favourites to land the League Two title but I don't fancy the Sky Blues to end their stay in the bottom tier of the EFL at the first attempt.

The problems run deep for the Ricoh Arena tenants and I think time is needed to get even close to returning to League One.

Off-field issues have to be solved before Mark Robins has a chance at aiming for promotion and I reckon another season of great frustration is in store.

17. Newport County

Manager: Mike Flynn

Last season: 22nd (48 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Frank Nouble to score 15 or more League Two goals at 10/1

Five wins from their final seven games last season saw Newport become the latest club to enjoy a great escape from the League Two relegation zone.

Caretaker-manager Mike Flynn was rightly given the chance to take charge of the Exiles on a full-time basis and I fancy the former Wigan midfielder to build on the successful survival mission.

Former West Ham striker Frank Nouble is one to watch if he can get his career back on track but the biggest pressure is on the Rodney Parade pitch. The Exiles are joined by the Dragons and Newport RFC rugby union sides at the ground so the hope is that a new £750,000 surface will consign last season's ploughed field to the history books.

18. Barnet

Manager: Rossi Eames

Last season: 15th (57 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): John Akinde to score 20 or more League Two goals at 5/4

It's not stretching things too far to say that Barnet's survival hopes rest on one man. John Akinde has scored 50 goals in the last couple of seasons and it's a real surprise that there hasn't been more interest in the powerful forward from clubs in higher divisions.

The 28-year-old failed to shine earlier in his career with Bristol City but he's a better player now and more than ready to make the step up.

Akinde netted just less than 50 per cent of Barnet's 57 league goals last term and I can't see Rossi Eames' men going down if the forward stays. However, if the 28-year-old departs before the summer transfer window closes it could be a very, very tough season for the Bees.

19. Carlisle United

Manager: Keith Curle

Last season: Sixth (71 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Carlisle to finish in the bottom half at 11/10

Carlisle still managed to finish in the play-offs last season despite only winning six of their 25 matches in 2017.

The sale of star striker Charlie Wyke to Bradford in January was a massive blow for the Cumbrians and the summer exits of Mark Gillespie, Michael Raynes and Jabo Ibhere have further dented the strength of the squad.

Keith Curle spoke after losing in the play-offs of the need for Carlisle to 'match his ambition' and that hasn't happened at the time of writing.

20. Port Vale

Manager: Michael Brown

Last season: 21st in Sky Bet League One (49 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Port Vale to finish bottom of the Midlands Group at evens (with Notts County, Coventry and Mansfield)

It's fair to say that last summer's recruitment drive from Bruno Ribeiro failed in spectacular fashion.

The Portuguese was sacked as Port Vale tumbled down the standings and Michael Brown couldn't improve things once taking caretaker charge.

Brown has been given the top job at Vale Park on a permanent basis but I don't envisage a quick turnaround in fortunes after dropping out of League One. Back-to-back relegations is possible but I expect Vale to end the season away from the bottom two.

21. Morecambe

Manager: Jim Bentley

Last season: 18th (52 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Morecambe to finish bottom of the North West Group at 4/6 (with Crewe, Accrington and Carlisle)

While all was falling apart off the field last season at Morecambe, Jim Bentley was once again doing a great job to keep the Shrimps away from relegation.

Survival can once again be the only target for Bentley and it's a tough task with the likes of Ryan Edwards and Paul Mullin departing during the summer.

Barry Roche and Kevin Ellison have been joined in the squad by Garry Thompson to provide experience and that nous should keep the Shrimps above water, unless the ownership issues from last term create further chaos.

22. Cheltenham Town

Manager: Gary Johnson

Last season: 21st (50 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Cheltenham to lose their opening three League Two games at 22/1

Cheltenham's return to League Two didn't quite go according to plan. The National League champions endured a season of struggle before pulling a few wins out when it mattered most at the end of term.

I don't think it will get any easier in the upcoming months as the Robins bid to finish higher than 17th for the first time in their last three League Two campaigns.

It's going to take all of veteran manager Gary Johnson's guile to get the good times back to the LCI Rail Stadium.

23. Yeovil Town

Manager: Darren Way

Last season: 20th (50 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Yeovil to be relegated at 9/2

Darren Way remains in charge of Yeovil and, with no pardon at all for the pun, this is a club that has lost its way.

Since their one and only season in the Championship ended in relegation in 2014 it has been all downhill for the Glovers. The last three campaigns have seen Yeovil finish bottom of League One (2014/15), 19th in League Two (15/16) and 20th in the bottom tier (17/18), only a late flurry of form last term seeing the drop avoided.

The Glovers are historically one of non-league football's famous names and that's exactly where I think they are heading.

24. Crawley Town

Manager: Harry Kewell

Last season: 19th (51 points)

Worth considering (Sky Bet odds): Crawley to be relegated at 3/1

Those of you who don't keep a constant eye on League Two will probably have missed the news that Harry Kewell has taken charge of Crawley in his first managerial role.

The former Leeds and Liverpool winger is up against it though at the start to his career at the Checkatrade.com Stadium. James Collins, scorer of 20 of Crawley's 53 league goals last season, has departed for Luton and there just isn't the quality remaining to cover that shortfall.

The Red Devils ended last term with only one win in their final 14 matches, that victory coming against bottom-of-the-table Leyton Orient, so it has to be a season of serious struggle predicted for Kewell's side.

Posted at 1230 BST on 01/08/17.

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