League 2 Promotion Odds: MK Dons look the best-equipped

The new League 2 campaign is just days away and that means you only have a limited amount of time to decide who is worth backing for promotion from England's fourth tier. With four teams getting promoted from this division, it makes it a very popular league to bet on.

Below I run through the current favourites, as per Betfred's League 2 promotion odds list, and then it is for you to decide who is the best-equipped to get the job done. 

League 2 Odds

MK Dons @ 7/4

When Mike Williamson took over the reins at Milton Keynes Dons last season, the team attained 62 points from the 33 matches he oversaw. Given a full campaign, that form would register 86, which would have had them competing for the automatic promotion spots.

There is no disputing their attacking quality, even if star striker Max Dean left the club for Gent in the summer, as the team netted 83 goals last term. The big concern heading into this summer is their defence. They conceded 68 goals, which is very high for a promotion contender, and of course they were smashed 8-1 by Crawley Town in the play-off semi-finals.

Williamson has addressed this by recruiting Laurence Maguire, who gained promotion with Crawley, Luke Offord, who lost the play-off final with Crewe Alexandra, and Sam Sherring, who has just excelled in League 1 with Northampton Town.

If this gets them more structured, and the attacking output doesn't falter, this could be a very fruitful year for MK Dons, and they are rightly the favourites.

Chesterfield @ 15/8

After firing their way to the National League title, Paul Cook's Chesterfield are expected to compete at the top end of League 2, just as the likes of Stockport County and Wrexham did before them, who are both now in League 1.

The Spireites have spent six years outside the Football League and they will be hoping that they can remain here for a long time now that they are back. Cook is hoping for more success at Chesterfield after last season, as well as the League 2 title victory back in 2013/14.

His side were very good going forward last term scoring 106 goals, but their 65 conceded does give some cause for concern as to whether that is sustainable when making a promotion push in League 2.

Cook needs to solidify that back line, while adding to his attacking depth for them to be up there with the likes of MK Dons. But right now, they are looking like they should be strong play-off contenders.

Gillingham @ 2/1

Gillingham owners Brad and Shannon Galinson have big plans for the club, but promotion has evaded them during the first 18 months of their reign. They will be hoping this can change in 2024/25. They have appointed Mark Bonner, a promotion winner at this level with Cambridge United in 2020/21, to lead the team this term, which is a start.

He has solid foundations to work with as the side kept 15 clean sheets last year, and they boast three excellent centre-backs in Conor Masterson, Shad Ogie and Max Ehmer. The Gills have then looked to bolster the attack with the arrivals of Jack Nolan and Aaron Rowe, plus the prolific Elliott Nevitt.

The squad looks to be taking shape and Gillingham look like they are primed to secure a much higher finish than 12th this term. And if the new signings bed in quickly, they can mount a serious top-three charge.

Doncaster Rovers @ 2/1

We're still not over Doncaster Rovers' crazy end to last season. They were 20th as late as March and somehow managed to finish in the play-offs, courtesy of a sublime 10-game winning streak.

The fans were patient and they kept showing their support of boss Grant McCann, and despite their play-off heartache, they look like they will be ready for another crack at promotion this year, but likely with less of the last-ditch drama.

Doncaster have a solid spine in their side which should serve them well in 2024/25. Joe Ironside brings power and goals up front, the classy Owen Bailey brought consistency and composure from midfield, and when he was fit, defender Richard Wood brought defensive organisation.

Summer arrival Joe Sbarra looks to be an exciting addition, having starred for Solihull Moors in the National League over the past few years. He has the technical ability to aid Doncaster in their promotion quest.

Football Odds

Port Vale @ 5/2

Darren Moore will be looking to get Port Vale back to League 1 at the first attempt and his five-year contract that he was given upon his arrival would suggest he is being trusted to rebuild the club.

He has pulled off one of the biggest signings of the summer in George Byers, whom he worked with at Sheffield Wednesday. Byers was an excellent player in the division above, and the fact he has joined the Valiants when there was League 1 interest shows just how much of a top addition this is. He will be key for Port Vale's promotion bid this term.

Forward Jayden Stockley offers a huge aerial presence and will no doubt be a nuisance to defenders at this level. Another interesting signing over the summer was Lorent Tolaj from Aldershot, having showcased goals with both feet in the National League.

The Valiants have a very strong squad for this level, which should help Moore get them back to the third tier, but it won't be easy given the fierce competition around them.

Notts County @ 3/1

Notts County were expected to be involved in last year's promotion race before a ball was kicked, but that wasn't to be. They were easy to score against despite their impressive attacking output, then their manager Luke Williams left to join Swansea City and he was replaced by Stuart Maynard, only for the club to finish in 14th.

The Magpies have lost their goal machine Macaulay Langstaff, who joined Millwall over the summer, but they still have players who delivered some impressive numbers last year. Midfield maestro Dan Crowley scored 15 goals and provided 10 assists, and the Arsenal academy graduate is likely to play an even bigger role this time around.

Jodi Jones, whose career has been blighted by injuries, was able to stay fit throughout the campaign and we got to see him at his best as he provided an incredible record-breaking 22 assists in the league, as well as six goals. Both players will be key for Maynard in 2024/25.

After last year's disappointment, County will have a point to prove, and this should make them much stronger. I expect they will be pushing for a top-three spot but it will be determined by a stronger defence and if Langstaff's goals are replaced.

Offers

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