League 1 Odds 25/26 Season: Luton favourites as Stockport offer value

Charlton Athletic and Nathan Jones celebrated promotion to the Championship on Sunday, meaning Leyton Orient have to settle for a place in the third tier next season. Talking of League 1, Betfred have now posted the outright odds for the 2025/26 season - which you can find below. 

We’ve discussed where the early value could lie, with some big teams competing for promotion from the third tier.

Luton Town @ 7/2

At the time of writing, the top three in the betting were the bottom three in the Championship last term, and we have to start with Luton Town. I’m not sure there has been a more shocking relegation in recent years, as the Hatters plummeted from the Premier League straight down to third tier, finishing 22nd last season and going down on goal difference. 

That final day defeat sent them down despite an upturn in form under Matt Bloomfield. With him at the helm, they are in relatively safe hands, although of course we have to expect some upheaval in terms of their squad. Still, I’d also make them clear favourites to secure an instant return to the Championship. 

Cardiff City @ 7/1

Cardiff had a miserable campaign in the second tier, finishing rock-bottom with Omer Riza leaving the club after a tough run of form. A new manager is set to come in this summer to succeed Aaron Ramsey, and whoever it is faces a big task to turn this club around. 

There’s been a lot of negativity around the place for several years now, with Vincent Tan looking unlikely to release his grip on the ownership. They are a massive club at this level but their home attendances have been dropping and I don’t feel comfortable picking them out to go up at this stage. There’s so much uncertainty that I can’t get behind the Bluebirds, with several exits expected and a fresh start needed.

Plymouth Argyle @ 15/2

I’m far more confident in backing Plymouth to be in the promotion picture, if they can hold onto Miron Muslic. He did a terrific job towards the back end of the campaign and they probably would have stayed up had they fired Wayne Rooney a few weeks earlier than they actually did. 

That hire was a mistake that cost them dear, but Plymouth should be competitive at the top end of the table once again. They’ve got some key assets they would love to keep hold of, but they’ve already brought in the experienced Jamie Paterson on a free transfer - a smart signing for the level. I’d keep an eye on Muslic’s potential suitors, but I’d expect a strong season for Plymouth back in League 1. 

Stockport County @ 10/1

Another heartbreaking play-off semi-final defeat on penalties brought an end to Stockport’s promotion dreams, but under David Challinor, you never think they are going to be too far away from the mix. He’s got a 55% win ratio at County and has led them up from the National League to this stage, so it does feel like only a matter of time before they crack the Championship. 

I think this is a great price for a strong club that just keeps on building. Given their play-off pain lately, the Hatters will be desperate to make it into the top two to secure automatic promotion. Unless Challinor leaves, I think they will certainly be play-off contenders at the minimum. 

Bolton Wanderers @ 11/1

Former Plymouth boss Steven Schumacher is now at the helm of Bolton Wanderers, but a poor end to the season saw them drop out of the play-off picture. Bolton have moved on from the Ian Evatt era and it will be interesting to see how Schumacher takes on this challenge, but I’m not sure they will be able to close the gap on the other contenders. I’d rather side with a team like Stockport at this stage, while I think Luton and Plymouth are also clear of the Trotters. 

Huddersfield Town @ 11/1

Huddersfield have now confirmed that Lee Grant will take the reins in Yorkshire ahead of the new campain. He’s most recently been coaching at Ipswich Town so it will be interesting to see how he fares in his first managerial job, but it doesn’t fill me with a boatload of confidence. 

Huddersfield finished 10th and lost their last six games of the season, so the club does need a reset and they will hope the new manager can provide that. However, I’m not so sure they will be challenging for automatic promotion in 2025/26. 

Wycombe Wanderers @ 14/1

Wycombe Wanderers were flying high under Bloomfield, but his departure coincided with a drop off in form. In came Mike Dodds, and although they reached the play-offs, his rigid style of football saw them come up slightly short against Charlton over two legs. 

With top scorer Richard Kone likely to move on, it feels as though they may have missed their best chance at promotion. Unless they make some drastic moves over the summer, I can’t see them competing with the money that exists at the top of the division.

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