in this article
You can also check out our League One outrights articles on promotion odds, relegation and top scorer.
The top end of League One looks wide open this season and many clubs, big or small, will fancy their chances of overperforming their budgetary rank to sneak into the top six. Given that state of affairs, there are some very enticing options to consider in the League One top 6 odds including some clubs who have not been used to competing in that section of the table in recent years. Sometimes the League One top 6 odds can be utilised to take on extra insurance on a positive stance on a side going into the season, however, that will have a significant impact on the price of the selection depending on where they rank.
We have found four strong runners in the League One top 6 odds, two of which were not in the conversation last season whereas the others may be considered promotion contenders given their recent history at the level. The race for the play-offs has been thoroughly entertaining and a close-run thing in the third tier of late, and that is likely to be the case once again with so many clubs feeling like they have a good chance of becoming the division’s surprise package. You should check out our League One top scorer and promotion odds pieces when you’re finished with this one.
Get a £30 risk-free bet by following the Paddy Power signup offer below, the funds could be used on our League One top 6 odds picks.
Rejuvenated Blackpool look far too big
There is a lot to like about the Seasiders in aiming to bounce straight back to the Championship, with their squad looking similar to the one that won promotion via the play-offs in 2020/21. Neil Critchley is one of the more high profile managers in the division and he returns to Bloomfield Road with a point to prove following unsuccessful stints at Aston Villa and Queens Park Rangers.
It is a real surprise to see them rated the same as Charlton Athletic by the market, and as worse than the likes of Peterborough United, Barnsley, Reading and Portsmouth, when you know what Critchley will bring and the way he will want to play, with squad members and a club that he has experience of achieving success with. The Tangerines will likely conduct further transfer business before the end of the window and they have been good at spotting young players for low fees in the recent past. Despite a challenging 2022/23 campaign, the continuity in the group at Critchley’s disposal should be seen as a positive.
League One Top 6 Odds
5th August
kick off 15:00 BlackpoolHigh-ceiling Bristol Rovers have the potential
Rovers were very inconsistent in League One last season, their first after promotion from League Two, but in spells looked like one of the most dangerous attacking units in the league. At the time of writing, League One Player of the Season 2022/23 Aaron Collins is still at the club, and in combination with Jevani Brown playing off a central striker they could be deadly. Luke McCormick and Antony Evans are both dangerous from attacking midfield roles and with James Wilson and George Friend arriving to strengthen the backline, Joey Barton’s men will be quietly confident of at least a top half finish. There are parallels to be drawn between their progression and that of Bolton Wanderers, who finished fifth in their second season in League One last term.
If it all clicks from the off, the Gas could comfortably finish inside the play-offs and they have bags of League One knowhow in the form of John Marquis, who could lead the line, as well as former Manchester City winger Scott Sinclair in their ranks. Do not sleep on Bristol Rovers in this season’s League One outrights.
League One Top 6 Odds
5th August kick off 15:00 Bristol RoversFleetwood Town up to their old tricks?
Fleetwood Town finished in the League One play-offs in 2016/17 and 2019/20, before they began to take a more sustainable approach to funding the club. That has resulted in the club looking over their shoulders somewhat in the last few seasons, but with a modest budget they comfortably pushed towards mid table under Scott Brown last term.
The Cod Army has increased their transfer kitty noticeably since January and should be in a stronger position to kick on for the past year under Brown’s tutelage. Danny Mayor and Ryan Broom are very shrewd additions to improve the supply line to Jack Marriott, who could be one of the most dangerous number nines in the division if he can stay fit. The Cod Army had the ninth-best defensive record in the third tier last season, and with incremental improvements all over the pitch a surprise top six push could be on the cards.
League One Top 6 Odds
5th August kick off 15:00 Fleetwood TownIs it finally Portsmouth’s time?
Performances did not quite stack up with the very promising results that Pompey pulled off as they briefly re-entered the play-off race at the back end of last season, after John Mousinho replaced Danny Cowley in the hotseat. However, with some of the big boys getting promoted and out of Pompey’s way last season, combined with an exciting summer window so far, 2023/24 looks like a great opportunity for the club in the League One top 6 odds.
It has felt like they have only been a handful of players away from being a real force in the division in recent seasons, and the additions of Anthony Scully, Christian Saydee and Gavin Whyte should add fresh dynamism to their forward line. Ryley Towler is emerging as one of the best defenders in the league and Will Norris has come in between the sticks after impressing for Peterborough United last term. There is a strong core of players who can drive standards at the level, with Marlon Pack a key cog at the base of midfield, Connor Ogilvie a very reliable performer at centre back or left back, and Colby Bishop leading the line as a player who should be playing in the Championship in the not too distant future.
2.37 looks generous given the ambition that Pompey are showing in the market, and Mousinho seems like the kind of leader from the touchline that the supporter base have been crying out for arguably since the departure of Paul Cook.
League One Top 6 Odds
5th August kick off 15:00 Portsmouth
