League 2 Winner Odds: MK Dons are favoured once again

League 2 was highly competitive last season as Doncaster Rovers went on to clinch the title. There are several teams who will be hoping to follow in their footsteps in 2025/26.

With the new season getting underway this week, I take a look at the current favourites to be crowned the fourth-tier champions this term, using our League 2 Winner Odds.

MK Dons @ 10/3

Milton Keynes Dons are the current favourites to win the league, as they were with Betfred last season, but as we know, it wasn't what happened. The Dons hugely underperformed, finishing 19th in the table - so the expectation is going to be far greater this time around.

They have got a head coach with valuable promotion experience in former Derby County boss Paul Warne, who recently led the Rams to the Championship from League 1. He has achieved promotions in each of his four full seasons as a boss below the second tier, and that expertise will be vital to MK Dons' chances.

We can expect a change in approach from them this year. Previously, they have relied on data when it comes to the aspects out on the pitch but Warne is not predominantly that way inclined.

He likes his teams to be energetic and aggressive and it remains to be seen how many of last season's squad can thrive under this shake-up. Warne has made several signings to help get the squad where he wants it to be, which includes a reunion with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing, whom he worked with at Derby.

But the most eye-catching signing of the lot is Aaron Collins from Bolton Wanderers. The Welsh striker has dropped down a division to join this project, which has fired a warning to their League 2 rivals this summer. He has become the Dons' club-record signing and brings promotion-winning experience from this division with Bristol Rovers (2021/22), while also being crowned the League 1 Player of the Season the following year.

Behind the scenes, much has been done to change things to put MK Dons in a much stronger position for 2025/26. The transition of style may take time for Warne to get the desired effect but if it clicks, they will be a huge threat in the promotion race.

Whether it's enough for the title remains to be seen, as Warne has never won a league as a head coach.

Chesterfield @ 6/1

Chesterfield had a positive first season back in the EFL in 2024/25 as they claimed the final play-off spot. They may have been beaten by Walsall in the semi-finals but they have set solid foundations for the new term, and they are expected to build on that.

They have an experienced boss in Paul Cook, who has won this league twice, including once with the Spireites in 2013/14. It was a coup for the club to bring him back in the National League and now he is a very useful asset to have now that they are back in the fourth tier.

After the last couple of years, the supporters feel the club is heading in the right direction. Board and management are unified and this has all the ingredients for another successful year.

At one point last term they were in the automatic promotion picture, but a winter slump of eight defeats in 12, as well as injuries throughout the season, crushed their chances.

Their transfer business this summer has been eye-catching, notably Ryan Stirk from Walsall and Lee Bonis from ADO Den Haag. There's a good blend in Chesterfield's squad and they have one of the best managers in the division. A title push wouldn't be surprising this year.

Bristol Rovers @ 12/1

Darrell Clarke is back in charge of Bristol Rovers after seven years away. He was recently in charge of Barnsley in League 1 before being let go by the Tykes towards the end of last season.

He was the Gas' most successful manager in recent history, having led them from the National League to the third tier. His return has been most welcome as he still has a lot of love from the fan base, and both parties will be hoping that there is more success to be achieved in this second chapter.

Clarke led Port Vale to League 1 in 2022 and Rovers will be hoping that he still has some magic to work with back at the Memorial Stadium. There's a decent group of players for him to work with and they could be a force to reckoned with in 2025/26.

Football Odds

Salford City @ 12/1

Salford City's project has a new look this summer as Gary Neville and David Beckham have completed a takeover of the club with a consortium, promising investment in the squad and other areas. The Ammies are hoping to emulate the likes of Wrexham and Stockport County who have risen through the EFL in recent years.

Salford have an experienced coach in Karl Robinson at the helm, who has a decent track record when it comes to his teams competing at the right end of the table, namely Oxford United and MK Dons.

His team narrowly missed out on the play-offs last term and they will look to improve on that this year. A play-off push seems realistic enough but significant work is needed for them to become credible title challengers.

Gillingham @ 12/1

Gillingham are a club with backing but they are yet to turn that to their advantage, as their previous two campaigns have been rather disappointing (12th and 17th-place finishes).

It hasn't helped with frequent managerial changes, moving from the direct play of Neil Harris to the possession-based football of Stephen Clemence, then on to Mark Bonner’s more cautious approach, John Coleman’s attacking intentions, and now back to another route one master in Gareth Ainsworth.

He's someone with promotion experience and is very much a figure who installs a unified culture in his teams, and he usually has a core group of players he can trust. Then there's his trusted assistant Richard Dobson, who is going to be of benefit to the cause.

Progress is expected this year, but being in the title race might be a bit of a stretch.

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