League One Winner Prediction and Tips 2024/25: Back Stockport to go well in the third tier
The League One season is upon us again, with 24 teams hoping to move one step closer to the Premier League with promotion to the Championship. Only three teams can succeed with promotion, with Birmingham the heavy favourites to bounce back. While the money spent and players brought in perhaps justify the favourites tag, them being best priced at 2/1 for the title is a little short for my liking. In this article I will look at the two teams I think can challenge the Blues at nice each-way prices.
League One Winner Predictions
Fancy £50 in Free Bets
Get £50 in Free Bets to use with CopyBet when you sign up, make a deposit, and place a £10 bet on any football fixture.
- Open a CopyBet account using this link
- Place a £10 bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater
- When your bet settles, you'll get £50 in free bets.
Rotherham
I could wax lyrical about Steve Evans’s ball for eternity. It’s ugly but effective. It has helped him achieve nine promotions throughout his controversial career. The 61-year-old achieved two of these promotions with the Millers and is back for another crack at the whip.
No matter where Evans is, his style on and off the field is the same. Off the field, he loves upheaval as he shapes a squad to fit his needs. As many as 13 players have come through the New York Stadium doors, with 12 going the other way. The business was done early, so Evans has had a full summer to work his magic.
On the pitch, Rotherham will be physical and direct. Teams will struggle to break them down, evident in the fact Stevenage had the fourth-best defence in the league, despite being touted by many for relegation. Set pieces will also be used, with Stevenage scoring a third of their goals from set pieces last season, also boasting the most shots from these situations.
The squad Evans has assembled suits him to a T. Defensively, Cameron Humphreys is one of the best centre-backs in the league. Sean Raggett has promotion-winning experience with Portsmouth last season, while Zak Jules is a dominant centre back, who puts defending first – a perfect embodiment of a Steve Evans centre-back. Standing at 6’2, 6’5 and 6’3 respectively, they should be threats from set pieces again. Joe Rafferty, another promotion winner with Portsmouth, and Reece James are top-end League One full backs so further solidify the Millers’ back line.
Joe Powell, Shaun McWilliams and the vastly experienced Liam Kelly come in to augment an already strong midfield containing Oliver Rathbone, Hakeem Odoffin and Christ Tiehi.
While Jordan Hugill and Sam Nombe have struggled for goals recently, they are strong, powerful strikers capable of roughing up defenders – another perfect attribute for Steve Evans. The 61-year-old excels at getting the best out of underperforming strikers- such as Jamie Reid at Stevenage, so Sam Nombe will be relishing the opportunity to work under Evans in hopes of returning to his form that made him so highly touted when at Exeter.
Jonson Clarke Harris returns to Rotherham after various successful spells elsewhere. The 30-year-old scored 24 league goals in 42 league games for Bristol Rovers, before securing a move to Peterborough where he scored 78 goals in four very successful seasons with the Posh, winning the golden boot twice.
All in all, Steve Evans is a promotion specialist and has a team that is perfectly suited to his play style. They will be hard to beat, with goals coming from set pieces and their abundance of strikers. For me, the Millers are Birmingham’s main threat.
Stockport
After numerous relegations saw them linger in the National League North for six seasons, Stockport County, under the leadership of David Challinor, have risen to League One after winning the League Two title last season.
The Hatters have been ruthless in their squad building. Myles Hippolyte, Ryan Croasdale, Antoni Sarcevic, Connor Lemonheigh-Evans, Neill Byrne, Paddy Madden and Akil Wright have all been let go after playing their part in recent promotions. Challinor has gone for a younger core, with Sam Hughes (27) the oldest of their 13 summer signings.
Corey Addai, who was arguably the best goalie in League 2 last season, has signed, further emphasising Stockport’s willingness to play out from the back. Kyle Knoyle, Ethan Pye, Fraser Horsfall and Ibou Touray conceded the second fewest league goals as a defence last season and have all stayed on. Sam Hughes (Burto-n) and Jay Mingi (Colchester) add further defensive depth.
The midfield looks strong. Lewis Bate signs on a permanent after impressing on loan at MK Dons last year. Lewis Fiorni arrives from Manchester City after a good loan spell at Blackpool, as does Callum Connolly. This adds to a strong nucleus containing Callum Camps, Nick Powell, and Will Collar.
Exciting winger Jayden Fevrier signs for a big fee from Colchester, while Jack Diamond arrives to provide depth and get his career back on track. Perhaps the most exciting signing of the lot is the loan signing of fan favourite Louie Barry who scored nine goals in 20 games for the Hatters before being sidelined with an injury.
Despite many new signings, this Stockport side has a continuity feel to it, with the same backfour from last season expected to continue into this campaign. They’ve also added smatterings of quality across the pitch and look well-versed to challenge at the top end of the table again.
Stockport to win the league 25.00 – Sky Bet (Each Way
League One Winner Odds
-
3
1/4 -
3
1/4 -
-
-
-
3
1/4 -
3
1/4
Read More:
Subscribe now for the latest previews, exclusive tips supported by stats, and top offers sent directly to your inbox.
The people behind this page
BettingOdds.com is committed to supporting Reponsible Gambling Initiatives - For additional information visit : GamCare | BeGambleAware | Gamblers Anonymous
Content on BettingOdds.com is not intended for anybody under 18 years of age.
