League 1 Promotion Odds: Can Bolton go one step further this year?

The new League 1 season is getting nearer and punters will be looking at their pre-season bets, whether they be singles or accumulators that cover multiple divisions across the Football League. It is sure to be an interesting season ahead and one where many teams will be fancying their chances to gain promotion to the Championship.

Below I run through the current favourites for promotion in League 1 as per Betfred's odds list.

League 1 Odds

Birmingham City @ 8/13

After years of swirling the plug hole, Birmingham City were finally relegated from the Championship after another chaotic year at St Andrew's. Unlike previous years though, there is a lot of optimism from the supporters because they believe that owners Knighthead Capital Management can bring back the good times.

The Blues have not hung about with their summer business, with eight new players being brought in for an approximate total of £12m (transfermarkt). Chris Davies, a coach with an impressive CV as a number two to the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Ange Postecoglou, has been tasked with overseeing this new dawn in B9, as he looks to deliver an exciting brand of football.

On paper, Birmingham have one of the strongest squads ever to grace League 1, although a couple of their players, including Jordan James, could still yet depart before the transfer window closes. It's clear why many people perceive them as the promotion favourites, but as most people will tell you, this is arguably the toughest division to get out of.

Bolton Wanderers @ 11/4

Last season was a tough one for Bolton Wanderers. There were times throughout the campaign where they looked to be in a strong position to achieve automatic promotion, but they eventually missed out, with Derby County taking second spot behind Portsmouth.

The Trotters had to settle for the play-offs for the second year in a row and as we know, they were completely outperformed by Oxford United at Wembley Stadium in May. Ian Evatt and his players will look to put things right this year as they look to bring an end their six-year hiatus from the second tier.

This season will be a huge mental test for them and you get the feeling that this will be Evatt's last chance to show that he is the man to take Bolton back to the Championship. He will be hoping that the fates will be more kind this term with injuries as he lost stars Ricardo Santos and Nathan Baxter at different stages of 2023/24.

If the Trotters can keep their key players fit, I do think that they can make another promotion push. I think they will aim to go up automatically as they may not want to face the play-offs for a third time, but I do think they would still be better-equipped for them at the third time of asking.

Football Odds

Rotherham United @ 11/4

Steve Evans will be hoping that he can deliver a second League 1 promotion for Rotherham United this year, having led the Millers to play-off glory a decade ago. Rotherham have been very skilled at gaining promotion from this division over that period, having been promoted four times.

That experience, coupled with the return of Evans should help their quest to return to the Championship at the first attempt. They have made some very smart signings over the summer, with plenty of League 1 experience.

Jonson Clarke-Harris is back for his second spell and he has been a Golden Boot winner at this level, while Sean Raggett will offer valuable experience in defence, having just helped Portsmouth get back to the second tier.

I think they are assembling a strong squad that should be in the promotion picture. The only question mark is whether Evans' swift attacking style will be able to compete with the sides who like to play possession-based football in the likes of Bolton, Peterborough United and now Birmingham.

Wrexham @ 100/30

Wrexham will be hoping for some more Hollywood glamour this season as they aim for a third-successive promotion. The transformation of the Red Dragons in recent years has been most impressive, but I do think they will find the step up to League 1 tougher than some people believe.

Manager Phil Parkinson is a well-seasoned coach in the EFL and the consistency of having him in the dugout over the last three years will have played a huge part in Wrexham's success. They have made two strong signings this summer with goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo, who starred in his loan spell with them last year, and former Charlton Athletic midfielder George Dobson.

I think the Red Dragons have what it takes to push for a top-half finish this year, but I'm not sure they're among the top promotion contenders, with some of their rivals having a head start in terms of League 1 experience. And then there are those who have been in the Championship in recent years. Wrexham won't have it their own way this time around.

Huddersfield Town @ 100/30

Huddersfield Town were in disarray towards the end of last season. Their relegation had been inevitable for a while and this summer was going to be huge for them as they pressed the reset button.

They pulled off an excellent managerial appointment in my opinion as they appointed Michael Duff to take over at the John Smith's Stadium. He was harshly treated at Swansea City but at this level he's an excellent operator. He led Barnsley to the play-offs two seasons ago and what he will add to the Terriers that they desperately need is defensive structure.

Huddersfield conceded a lot of sloppy goals last term and he will look to cut that out. He has also made three eye-catching additions to his side over the summer in Herbie Kane, whom he worked with at Barnsley, Lasse Sorensen and Antony Evans, who joined from Lincoln City and Bristol Rovers respectively.

I think there is more work needed on the squad but my impression of Duff as a coach is why I think the Terriers will be strong promotion contenders this season.

Offers

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