League 1 Top 6 Finish Odds: Can Posh & Tykes make it three in-a-row?

Last season was another thrilling one in the third tier as the top-six race went down to the final day, with draws for Oxford United and Barnsley ensuring Lincoln City were left to rue a defeat to Portsmouth which ultimately consigned them to seventh place.

The departure of Portsmouth, Derby County and Oxford United to the Championship, the first two in particular, will have given the remaining sides renewed hope in their bid to break into the top six this year, although the addition of Birmingham City and others is likely to make it equally difficult. Below you can find the League 1 top 6 finish odds and a rundown of the main contenders.

League 1 Odds

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Birmingham City @ 1/5

The odds say it all really - it would be an almighty shock if Birmingham City failed to make the League 1 play-offs at least.

The Blues have spent like no club has ever spent before in the division, and they are expected to walk the league, let alone finish top six.

Bolton Wanderers @ 8/11

Last season was a huge disappointment for Bolton Wanderers as they drew three of their last four games to miss out on the second automatic promotion spot to Derby County before suffering the ultimate agony of losing in the play-off final at Wembley to Oxford United.

Pressure is mounting on the Trotters to end their third-tier stay, which has now extended to a fourth season. Ian Evatt oversaw a ninth-place finish on their return from League 2 in 2021/22 before cracking the top six in the following two campaigns, leading the club to fifth and third.

Another top-six finish looks likely, but supporters will probably demand more than that.

Rotherham United @ 5/6

A season of sorrow for Rotherham United saw them finish bottom of the pile in the Championship, 18 points behind 23rd-placed Huddersfield Town and 24 points off survival.

The Millers now return to familiarity - they've spent three of the previous seven seasons in League 1 - with one of the most experienced managers around.

Steve Evans has managed 236 third-tier games in his career, winning 93 and averaging 1.49 points per match, which works out as 68+ points throughout a 46-game campaign. That's not enough to guarantee a play-off berth, but it has to be remembered that his time in League 1 includes stints with Stevenage and Gillingham, two of the more unheralded clubs in the division.

Meanwhile, his previous spell at Rotherham, between 2012 and 2015, included a successful League 1 play-off campaign which saw the side promoted to the Championship in 2014.

Another tilt for the top six looks likely this year, particularly after an active summer transfer window that has seen them recruit Portsmouth defensive duo Sean Raggett and Joe Raffety, both promoted as League 1 winners last season, and two-time League 1 Golden Boot winner Jonson Clarke-Harris.

Huddersfield Town @ 5/4

Huddersfield Town's five-season stay in the Championship was ended in May as they were relegated to League 1, a division they haven't competed in since winning the play-off final in 2012.

Several of their best players - notably midfielder Jack Rudoni - have since departed the John Smith's Stadium, but the Terriers have added third-tier experience in Herbie Kane (Barnsley), Antony Evans (Bristol Rovers) and Lasse Sorensen (Lincoln City).

The appointment of Michael Duff as the club's new head coach has added further belief that they can engineer an instant return to the Championship, and at least secure a top-six spot this term.

In his only season in League 1, Duff led Barnsley to the 2022/23 play-off final where they were narrowly beaten by Sheffield Wednesday in extra time before moving to Swansea City, where he was sacked in December after less than six months in charge.

The 46-year-old will feel he has unfinished business in the Championship and should be extra-motivated to take the Terriers back there at the first time of asking.

Charlton Athletic @ 6/4

Charlton Athletic were in a relegation battle when Nathan Jones took over as head coach in February, but after losing his first game 2-0 at Reading, the 2021/22 EFL Championship Manager of the Season inspired a 14-match unbeaten run which saw them streak clear of the bottom four and finish 16th.

Jones' second defeat as Addicks boss came on the final day of the campaign when safety was already secured, so he will be confident that with a full season in charge, the south London club can knock on the door of the top six.

There have been some encouraging signings made so far including Gassan Ahadme, Luke Berry and Matty Godden, though the departure of last season's 23-goal League 1 Golden Boot winner Alfie May to Birmingham City is sure to hit them hard.

Wrexham @ 13/8

Back-to-back promotions from the National League have seen expectations rise for Wrexham, who are now backed by the bookies to finish in the League 1 play-off places this year.

Of course, the fairytale element of their rise is tempered by the financial benefits they have enjoyed over other sides, and they will be coming up against an even bigger juggernaut in Birmingham this year, so could struggle to flex their powers in the same way.

But the positivity around the club, and the firepower they possess up front, particularly in Paul Mullin, means they cannot be discounted from making the play-offs this season.

Barnsley @ 7/4

After sneaking into the play-offs on the final day last season, Barnsley suffered disappointment in their semi-final tie with Bolton as they lost 5-4 on aggregate.

Darrell Clarke was subsequently brought in as new head coach, despite overseeing Cheltenham Town's relegation to League 2, and he brought back an old Oakwell favourite Conor Hourihane as player-coach.

Last season's top scorer Devante Cole, who struck 18 times in League 1, has left for West Bromwich Albion, while a couple of other influential players, Herbie Kane and Jordan Williams, have departed for Huddersfield Town and Portsmouth respectively.

Clarke has a tough task in piecing a new side together, but after back-to-back top-six finishes, the Tykes certainly have the experience necessary to mount another play-off push.

Peterborough United @ 7/4

Peterborough United suffered League 1 play-off semi-final heartache again last term as they were beaten 2-1 on aggregate by Oxford United. It wasn't quite as dramatic or painstaking as their previous play-off exit to Sheffield Wednesday, but it was still a big disappointment against a side who had finished seven points below them in the table.

Darren Ferguson has stayed on as manager but has lost a few of last season's stars, namely Ronnie Edwards, Josh Knight and Harrison Burrows, while Clarke-Harris, who became more of a bit-part player after previously winning two League 1 Golden Boots with the club, left on a free to promotion rivals Rotherham.

Like Barnsley, the Posh have recent experience of making the top six, but Ferguson will have his work cut out to make it three play-off campaigns in a row after the departure of some big players.

Wigan Athletic @ 11/4

An outside bet to keep an eye on this year is Wigan Athletic, who are only given odds of 11/4 to make the top six this term. The Latics only finished 12th last season but were handed an eight-point deduction at the start of the year; without it, they would have finished two places higher up and just six points behind sixth-placed Barnsley.

Money appears to be tight again at Wigan but head coach Shaun Maloney has utilised his contacts to make some exciting additions in the loan market.

Liverpool full-back duo Calvin Ramsay and Luke Chambers will spend the season at the Brick Community Stadium and have been joined by Manchester United centre-forward Joe Hugill and Brentford winger Michael Olakigbe, while Australian midfielder Tyrese Francois has joined on a free from Fulham.

Tom Pearce, Charlie Wyke and Stephen Humphrys have all left the club, and the concern will be about the inexperience in the side, but if Maloney can pull it all together, the Latics could be in for an exciting season.

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