League 1 Promotion Odds: Luton look to go straight back up

Birmingham City blitzed League 1 last season with a record 111 points with a budget the third tier hadn't seen before, With them out of the picture, the third tier is expected to be a lot more competitive in 2025/26, with several teams capable of gaining promotion to the Championship.

Below I take a look at frontrunners, according to Betfred's League 1 Promotion Odds.

Luton Town @ 10/11

Much of the past decade has been about Luton Town's rise, having achieved promotion from what is now the National League in 2013/14, the Hatters climbed all the way to the Premier League in 2023, regarded as one of the best-run clubs in the country.

Disaster has followed in the two years since with back-to-back relegations which has left them weaker than they have been for a long time. Rob Edwards' magic ran out at Kenilworth Road and his successor Matt Bloomfield was unable to arrest their slide in the Championship last term.

As we know from his previous job at Wycombe Wanderers, things started out tough before he slowly got the Chairboys ticking. Before his departure midway through the last campaign, Wycombe were the team applying the most pressure on Birmingham in the title race and looked destined to join the Blues back in the second tier.

League 1 Odds

His task is now to rebuild Luton and get them back on the track they were thriving on for years. He has a financial advantage as the Hatters are receiving the second year of their Premier League parachute payments, and in the third tier, this is a huge helping hand.

Luton may have lost the influential Carlton Morris and Alfie Doughty this summer to Derby County and Millwall respectively, but they have added Nahki Wells, Kal Naismith and George Saville to their ranks.

Their squad depth is mighty for League 1, just like Birmingham's was, and it'll be very surprising if the Hatters finish outside the top two this season.

Huddersfield Town @ 9/4

Lee Grant's first managerial role is one filled with pressure as Huddersfield's stance will be they have to go up this year. They fell well below expectations last term, as they were expected to be Birmingham's closest threat, along with Rotherham United, and they too had a disappointing campaign.

The Terriers have gone for a different approach this summer, appointing a coach finding his way in the game but it is more their transfer business I have been impressed with. Alfie May was an astute signing from Birmingham, having bagged 16 goals in the league for the Blues in 2024/25.

The striker has 82 goals across 172 appearances at this level and he is sure to be the main man at Huddersfield, something he wasn't at Birmingham. He guarantees them goals and in a promotion race that is so important.

Huddersfield have also added experienced Championship players Ryan Ledson, Marcus McGuane and Lynden Gooch to their ranks, while Marcus Harness looks a steal having thrived at this level in the past. Joe Low has joined from Wycombe on a free, as one of the most sought-after centre-backs in the division.

Cardiff City @ 5/2

Cardiff City, like Luton, have plans to get back to the Championship at the first attempt. Last season ended in poor fashion but a clean slate awaits them in 2025/26. They have also made an appointment with promise in Brian Barry-Murphy, who joined from Manchester City's academy.

He needs support from the board to get the squad up standard and to be able to compete with the likes of Luton and Huddersfield, but if they can keep hold of Yousef Salech and Rubin Colwill, that is a huge bonus for the Bluebirds.

Football Odds

Stockport County @ 11/4

I think there's value in Stockport County, who have been enjoying their own rise from the National League. They reached the play-offs last term following their promotion from League 2 and I think they could go one step further in 2025/26.

The Hatters have a brilliant manager in Dave Challinor and a well-balanced squad which has been further added with the club-record signing of Malik Mothersille from Peterborough United. They know exactly the way they are playing and that consistency on the pitch and in the dugout could lead to further success at Edgeley Park.

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Plymouth Argyle @ 3/1

After losing Miron Muslic, I don't feel very confident about Plymouth Argyle's promotion chances. The Pilgrims have appointed Tom Cleverley to rebuild them in League 1, and the former midfielder started last season well in his post at Watford, before their form fell off a cliff in the second half of the campaign.

Question marks still surround him but being at a lower level might help him build up his reputation in the game. He is having to cope with some key player exits with Ryan Hardie joining Wrexham, and there might be too much work for them this summer to muster a strong promotion charge given the teams they are up against.

Bolton Wanderers @ 7/2

Steven Schumacher guided Argyle to promotion from this division two years ago and he will be hoping to accomplish that feat with Bolton Wanderers in 2025/26. The Trotters looked to suffer a hangover from their play-off final defeat in 2024/25 as they ended last season in eighth, 10 points shy of the top six.

They have made some interesting signings this summer and that may help them climb back into the play-off picture, but right now I wouldn't expect them to achieve promotion.

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