TWITS 1-24 - League One
Lots of pretty solid teams in League One this season. And with it not being overrun by overfunded clubs, it will be a lot more competitive at the top. Any of the top 7-10 teams could be in with a shout of going up, with the possibility of a few surprises too!
Download the Tipple Sports app on iOS here
Read below our predictions for the 2025/2026 EFL League One season.
1st
Kieran: Huddersfield
Excellent recruitment and big spending for Huddersfield this year, I think they have the quality to win them the league and would love to see them back in the Championship. The signings of Alfie May and Ryan Ledson are excellent acquisitions and high quality players at this level.
Schoey: Luton
A league 1 team with a second year parachute payment. Things will have to go seriously tits up for Luton for them to not be at least automatically promoted this season.
Will: Luton
Matt Bloomfeild will be looking to bounce straight back up after last season shocker. It’s pretty ironic that Luton are the team with one of the biggest budgets when you look back 10 years on the club. They've had a bit of a clear out this season but have signed replacements who are easily Championship quality. They have the best team in the league and will be going straight back up, my guess with 100+ points.
2nd
Kieran: Luton
A horrible two seasons for Luton (one to be expected in the Premier League) and a shock double relegation, they now face the prospect of League One with parachute payments. I think it's hard to argue that they will be one of the ones to beat this year. They haven't really lost a lot of players either, so if they can get last season out of their heads they will be flying this year.
Schoey: Huddersfield
Heavily financially back the last 2 transfer windows. Can Lee Grant get them automatics? I think it’s about time Huddersfield make their way back into the championship.
Will: Stockport
Really good momentum going into this season for Stockport County. Finishing 3rd last season with joint second highest goal scorers in the league. They have strengthened again with Malik Mothersille who was brilliant at a poor Peterborough team. I like the fact they have kept a majority of the same players but have just added extra quality and experience to the squad.
3rd
Kieran: Stockport
Stockport have been slowly building and improving every single season, and this year I think they are going to come very close to the automatics. Out of the top 4 teams in my list I honestly believe it could be in any order, with a big gap to 5th.
Schoey: Stockport
The best team not to spend silly money in league 1 last season. Stockport's an upwards trajectory lead me to predict a top 3 finish.
Will: Huddersfield
They have got rid of a lot of players but maybe it’s needed to give them some head room to bring the players they want in. They’ve brought in quality players as well stand out for me is Marcus McGuane such a good ball winning midfielder. Top that with Alfie may and Ryan Ledson they are building a really strong team for this season.
4th
Kieran: Cardiff
Unlucky to go down last season really, and I can seem them pushing strongly this year to go straight back up. I think they will be another excellent watch and one to keep an eye on every week.
Schoey: Cardiff
Strange to see Cardiff not in the championship this season. They’ve taken a chance with an unproven manager. But even so I think they are too big of a club not to a least finish in the top 6.
Will: Plymouth
They could of stayed up if the season was 2-3 games more last season. It’s another managerial change with Tom Cleverley coming in. They've lost a few decent players but have signed a couple and with Cleverley still looking at spending big on 2-3 players, if they get those they will be comfortably in the play off places.
5th
Kieran: Bolton
The big signings of Ethan Erhahon and Thierry Gale could finally push Bolton up to where they should be in this league. Whilst I am sure fans will be hoping for a closer challenge to the automatics, I think it is such a strong league this year they will have to settle for play-offs, with hopefully a better outcome than last time...
Schoey: Bolton
A very solid league 1 squad. I think Schumacher could be the man to finally get them over the line.
Will: Blackpool
Steve Bruce taking charge last season and getting them to a 9th placed finish. With Brucey in charge and arrivals of George Honeyman and Malcolm Ebiowei to highlight two, they are good attacking players who like to get on the ball and cause issues for the defenders. It’s going to be close between the teams from 5th down to 9th this season.
6th
Kieran: Plymouth
Rooney absolutely ruined any chances of Plymouth staying up last year, but when Muslić came in there was atleast a hope that even if they did go down, they would be the frontrunners for the league this season. However now he has left and they have Cleverley in charge, I have my doubts. The signings they have made don't really inspire confidence in a top push, but I think they may just sneak playoffs.
Schoey: Wycombe
A pretty solid top 10 side in league 1 now. I expect a strong season and a definite challenge for top 6.
Will: Barnsley
Finishing 12th last season and was down to conceding a massive 73 goals. They’ve had a clear out and have started adding some quality players with David McGoldrick coming in and new GK Murphy Cooper who only conceded 37 goals with Stevenage last season. If they get it right at the back they will be top 6.
7th
Kieran: Reading
Finally out of their horrible ownership issues and can finally focus on pushing up the league. I think they will be back in the Championship in the next 5 years, just not this year.
Schoey: Plymouth
It was sad to see the argyle relegated last season, particularly as they finished the season so strong. Cleverly could be a good appointment. But the loss of all their stand out players last season makes me think they could finish outside the playoffs.
Will: Leyton Orient
Tough not to put them in the play off places again this season, they have a really strong team and have added well with Josh Koroma and El Mizouni who I do like he brings a directness in his play. Mix in Richie Wellens as well they very well could be a couple places higher.
8th
Kieran: Leyton Orient
The loss of Jamie Donley going back to Tottenham is a big hit to the squad that made it to the play-off final last year. I think this season is going to be a bit of a rebuild with a view to really pushing for automatics / high play-offs next year.
Schoey: Barnsley
A strong league 1 side but their promotion chances rest on an unproven manager in Conor hourihane. I expect a top 10 finish.
Will: Reading
Going to be chasing the play offs again, I think they are going to be competitive but just miss out on the play off places.
9th
Kieran: Wigan
Ryan Lowe comes in and if he hits the ground running, Wigan could go well this year. I just again feel that with a strong league and a lot of money being thrown around, they have not strengthened enough to really challenge. Dara Costelloe could be a good addition with a lot of potential to grow.
Schoey: Rotherham
Yo-yo FC must be back near the playoffs again soon right?
Will: Bolton
Through away a chance of getting plays off last year only picking up 2 points from the last 5 games. They've let a couple of their better players leave. They will go again to get play offs but don't see them having enough.
10th
Kieran: Barnsley
I think Barnsley could finish anywhere between 15th to 5th this year, so it makes sense to put them in the middle. I think the fans have a right to be ambitious, but need to understand that a top 10 finish is still a decent place for them at this point in time.
Schoey: Blackpool
Steve Bruce could get Blackpool near the top 6. But I predict them to finish a few places out.
Will: Cardiff
Relegated last season had such a poor season and have lost a couple decent players and released a lot more players. There very much going to be trying to rebuild and as we've seen in the past it’s a much harder league to get out of.
11th
Kieran: Wycombe
Non-league team in League One.
Schoey: Leyton Orient
Surprised the league and slightly over performed finishing 6th last season. But losing some key players makes me think they drop down the table a little.
Will: Wycombe
Lost to Charlton in the Play offs, I think they’re going to fall off this season don't seem them pushing play offs again.
12th
Kieran: Blackpool
Signing Ebiowei from Palace is business I just don't understand. No doubt he has the ability, but don't be surprised if he ends up training with the u21s due to his attitude. Other than this, the business by Blackpool has been steady, nothing too inspiring though, so just a top half finish for me.
Schoey: Reading
Loss of Selles will be a big one. I can’t see them doing as well this season.
Will: Bradford
I've got Bradford to finish the highest out of the newly promoted teams again they have managed to keep the team pretty much the same. They have brought in some very experienced players with Matt Pennington and Joe Wright who have over 300+ League one games between them. They’re going to be a solid side for the coming season.
13th
Kieran: Lincoln
I think their manager has the potential to be excellent, so excellent that he may get poached halfway through the season. I'm taking a gamble and saying that this will happen and they will drop down the league a little bit, if it doesn't though I could easily see them getting top 10.
Schoey: Wigan
A decent manager in Ryan Lowe. But I’m not expecting much more than a mid table finish.
Will: Lincoln
A lot of departure this window for them with Jovon Makama leaving for the Championship, I think they will slip a few places this season unless they can bring in another striker.
14th
Kieran: Peterborough
A real decline for Peterborough in recent years, strange to see considering they are usually one of the top competing teams in the league. I feel this might be the final year we see Ferguson in charge. Until 3 years time when he's appointed again.
Schoey: Lincoln
Lincoln’s downward trajectory makes me think that again, they won’t be challenging for promotion this season.
Will: Rotherham
One place worse than last year, there be safe again but if they start picking up injuries they could be falling further down the league.
15th
Kieran: Mansfield
Surprisingly high finish in my predictions for Mansfield, a few people have them to go down but I think this might just be a year of consolidation for them.
Schoey: Peterborough
A club who continue to sell all their best players and last year it really showed. I think they’ll be safe but a bottom half finish again.
Will: Wigan
Got them to finish exactly where they did last season. Maybe Ryan Lowe having a transfer window and time to get the players playing the style he wants could get them higher up.
16th
Kieran: Doncaster
League Two champions and with a highly rated manager in Grant McCann, I can see Doncaster steadying the ship this season and restablishing themselves as a consistent League One team.
Schoey: Doncaster
Won league 2 last season. And manager McCann has won league 1 before with Hull. I think they’ll be safe from the drop zone.
Will: Port Vale
Promoted last season and have done well to keep all their best players, they have also added good experience to the squad with Jordan Gabriel and Ben Waine. I don't seem them in any trouble going into this season.
17th
Kieran: Port Vale
With ambitions to one day become a Championship level club, you have to admire the optimism. The way they are going about their business it could be more realistic aim than first thought, but I still think they are a few seasons off that yet.
Schoey: Stevenage
I don’t think Stevenage have a particularly strong squad for league 1. Could be fighting off those relegation spots near the end of the season.
Will: Stevenage
Finished 14th last year bit of a bang average season. Very strong defensive team with the likes of Charlie Goode and Carl Piergianni. It’s just going forward they have signed Chem Campbell who looks ok but isn't a player who is going to get 10+ goals and drag them up the league. Again, going to be a hard to beat team.
18th
Kieran: Exeter
Now we get into the troublesome group. Exeter I think are the pick of the bunch to have the best chances to stay up. With Joe Whitworth coming back, they have a very safe pair of hands in goal, but it still could be a very nervy season for the Grecians.
Schoey: Port Vale
Only spent one season in league 2 before coming straight back up again with Darren Moore. I think he will keep them up this season.
Will: Peterborough
Not sure what is happening with Peterborough they conceded the second most goal (81) in the League last season and with Kwame Poku and Malik Mothersille 24 goals (12 each) and 17 assists they leave a massive whole in the attacking play. Looking like a mountain for them to climb.
19th
Kieran: Bradford
What a promotion story on the final day of last season. For that alone I think Bradford deserve to stay up. With a few good additions over the summer, I think they should have enough to keep themselves safe.
Schoey: Exeter
Haven’t managed to solidify themselves in league 1 since coming up from league 2 a few years ago. I can see them in a relegation battle this season.
Will: Mansfield
Nigel Clough is going to be tested again this season they will be looking to improve on the 17th place finish last season. If they want to improve this season, they need to stop conceding so many goals (73 concede last season). Ultimately, I don't think they will go down but if they don't sort out the defensive trouble they will in for a long season.
20th
Kieran: Doncaster
I do worry about Northampton this season, mainly the over reliance on Sam Hoskins. I just don’t think they have enough quality to push for mid table and it could be a very worrying season for them at the bottom end of the league.
Schoey: Mansfield
Started last season well, but then dropped down the table like a lead balloon. They’ll need that good start again if they want to stay away from the bottom four.
Will: Doncaster
League one Champions last season, lost one of their best players on a free in Joseph Olowu after he rejected a new contract in favour of going to Stockport County. They have replaced Olowu though with Matty Pearson who brings championship experience playing 193 time. They have also retained Luke Molyneux who had 28 goal involvements scoring 16 and assisting 12. As whole they will be scrapping at the bottom and not have quite enough to stay up.
21st
Kieran: Rotherham
A club on freefall really, and I think this could be the season that sees them drop to League Two. A very weird prospect considering they are pretty much known now as the League One Championship yo-yo club.
Schoey: Bradford City
Automatically promoted from league 2 in 3rd last season. I think they’ll be in a bit of a relegation battle.
Will: AFC Wimbledon
This is going to be tight for the newly promoted team. Its always hard predict a newly promoted team but I don't think they will manage it. Losing Jaes Tilley to Wycombe and James Ball to Swindon who helped them get up doesn't set them up well. I do like the signing of Steve Seddon from Motherwell and Alistair Smith who they have signed on a permit from last season’s loan. They will go to the last game of the season, but I think will just fall short.
22nd
Kieran: AFC Wimbledon
Favourites for relegation and I'm afraid it might come to fruition, however I don’t think they are dead and buried just yet.
Schoey: Northampton
A fairly solid first season back in league 1 when promoted 2 years ago. But only being 5 points off of safety last season makes me think this could be their time.
Will: Northampton
*Another team pushing it close last season finishing 19th with only 5pts from safety. With Kevin Nolan coming in December, they really were a mix bag for the remainder of the season could never really start stringing any results together but managed to just stay up. With the signings they brought in there is only one that sticks out with Jordan Thorniley rated him at Oxford but I don't think they have enough to stay up. *
23rd
Kieran: Stevenage
Stevenage are lacking firepower in my opinion. Again I wouldn't be surprised if they did stay up, but I think there is going to be a bit of a dog fight between a fair few teams at the bottom this year.
Schoey: AFC Wimbledon
Won the league 2 playoffs last season. As nice as it would be to see Wimbledon do well in league 1, I expect the step up may be a little too much to ask.
Will: Burton
Just scraped it last season by 1pt. I think they’re going to struggle again they have lost top goal scorer last season to QPR. Fabio Tavares on a free I think he will key signing for Burton to get some points on the board. Overall, I don't think the business they have done so far is enough to keep them up.
24th
Kieran: Burton
The nearly team year after year, I just don't see it as sustainable and I think this will be the year they finally drop into League Two. Would love to be surprised again.
Schoey: Burton
After 2 straight seasons finishing 20th, I fear this could be one year too many in league 1 for Burton Albion. Only Fabio Tavares can save them now.
Will: Exeter
Finished 16th last season much to the helping hands of Joe Whitworth he is a fan favourite for sure, and he is back on loan with the club for another season. That’s it though for notable incomings the goalkeeper. There top goal scorer last year was Millenic Alli with 11 he left for Luton in January. Jayden Wareham doesn't look to be the answer he only scored 5 times last season playing 37 games. That’s why they are my rock bottom team.
Overview
| Pos | Kieran | Schoey | Will |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huddersfield | Luton | Luton |
| 2 | Luton | Huddersfield | Stockport |
| 3 | Stockport | Stockport | Huddersfield |
| 4 | Cardiff | Cardiff | Plymouth |
| 5 | Bolton | Bolton | Blackpool |
| 6 | Plymouth | Wycombe | Barnsley |
| 7 | Reading | Plymouth | Leyton Orient |
| 8 | Leyton Orient | Barnsley | Reading |
| 9 | Wigan | Rotherham | Bolton |
| 10 | Barnsley | Blackpool | Cardiff |
| 11 | Wycombe | Leyton Orient | Wycombe |
| 12 | Blackpool | Reading | Bradford |
| 13 | Lincoln | Wigan | Lincoln |
| 14 | Peterborough | Lincoln | Rotherham |
| 15 | Mansfield | Peterborough | Wigan |
| 16 | Doncaster | Doncaster | Port Vale |
| 17 | Port Vale | Stevenage | Stevenage |
| 18 | Exeter | Port Vale | Peterborough |
| 19 | Bradford | Exeter | Mansfield |
| 20 | Northampton | Mansfield | Doncaster |
| 21 | Rotherham | Bradford City | AFC Wimbledon |
| 22 | AFC Wimbledon | Northampton | Northampton |
| 23 | Stevenage | AFC Wimbledon | Burton |
| 24 | Burton | Burton | Exeter |
