League Two Odds: A closer look at the five favourites in the winner market ahead of 2021/22

The EFL season is fast approaching, with the country’s third and fourth tiers kickstarting the 2021/22 campaign on August 7th. 

There’s plenty of excitement surrounding the League Two odds for outright winner, and today we’re going to delve deeper into the market to see which sides head up the betting and are tipped to challenge for top-spot during the coming season. 

Salford - 6/1 (Favourites)

Due to the vast amount of money Gary Neville & Co have invested into Salford during the last two seasons, it’s unsurprising to see them lead the betting at 6/1. 

The Ammies will be looking to build on their rather disappointing 8th-place finish from last term, and have brought in some quality new additions to help them do so in the form of attacking-midfielder Matty Lund from Rochdale and forward Conor McAleny from Oldham. 

The Moor Lane outfit have, however, waved goodbye to goalkeeper Vaclav Hladky - who was one of their standout players last term but has left for League One Ipswich - which will be a huge blow for Gary Bowyer’s side, though the incoming Tom King has more than enough ability to effectively fill the Czech’s boots. 

Bristol Rovers - 11/1

Relegated from League One last season, Bristol Rovers will be looking to bounce straight back up to the third tier this time out. The future of manager Joey Barton still hangs firmly in the balance due to an ongoing court case, which means that the Liverpudlian is unlikely to begin the campaign in the dugout - a far from ideal situation. 

The Gas have added quality to their ranks this summer, bringing in Paul Coutts, Sam Finley, Mark Hughes and left-sided defender Nick Anderton - each of whom have previously been named captain of a club during their respective careers. 

Guidance is something Rovers desperately need this season, as last term it was their lack of experience which proved costly. The West Country side will pose a huge threat in League Two this time out, but it remains to be seen if either Barton - should he remain in charge - or whoever it is that’s drafted in to replace him, can get the best out of this talented crop of players. 

Mansfield - 12/1

Third-(joint)favourites in the League Two odds for outright winner is Mansfield. The Stags have underachieved in recent seasons, returning finishes of 21st and 16th in their last two campaigns - albeit the former being curtailed early due to Covid-19. 

With one of the strongest squads in the division and plenty of financial resources, many would have predicted Mansfield to have escaped the clutches of League Two long before now, but they are still plugging away in England’s fourth division - a league they have been a part of since their promotion from the National League in 2012/13. 

There will be hope among supporters that this is the season Mansfield finally earn promotion to League One, with the experienced Nigel Clough at the helm and a talented group of players that includes the likes of George Maris, George Lapslie and Ollie Clarke, alongside new signings Elliott Hewitt - signed from relegated Grimsby, and Danny Johnson - who scored 17 goals in League Two last season - drafted in from Leyton Orient.

Bradford - 12/1

Bradford are also 12/1 in the market and with seasoned promotion-obtainer Derek Adams in charge, they will certainly possess an edge this season. Many were left shocked when Adams, who guided Morecambe to a hugely unlikely promotion to League One via the play-offs last term, departed for the Bantams earlier this summer. 

Indeed, Bradford are a much bigger club compared to the Shrimps and perhaps looking at the bigger picture, Adams will feel confident in his ability of winning his third career League Two promotion with the West Yorkshire side in 2021/22, having also guided Plymouth up to the third tier four years ago. 

With a direct style of play that massively suits the rigours of League Two, 6ft 2 powerhouse Lee Angol, signed on a free last month following his departure from Leyton Orient, should thrive up-front in Adams’ system this season. It does, however, remain to be seen whether or not the club’s new boss can get this team seriously challenging for the title after two underwhelming finishes of 9th & 15th.

Exeter - 14/1

Exeter are always there or thereabouts at the end of the season, but they have fallen victim to the curse of Wembley on three separate occasions in the previous five years. The Grecians have made it through to three League Two play-off finals since 2016/17 but lost every single time, with their latest taste of heartbreak coming last season against Northampton - where they were comfortably beaten 4-0 in north London. 

The south-west club do have plenty of quality within their ranks, though, most notably in the shape of striker Matt Jay - who last season notched 18 league goals and finished as the division’s fourth-highest scorer - and attacking midfielder Josh Randall, who returned 8 goals and 4 assists across all formats last term. Meanwhile, new recruit Jevani Brown will add some much-welcomed firepower to the Devoners front line. 

A full list of the League Two odds for promotion can be found listed below.