LEAGUE One is looking at its strongest in a while, because of the number of former-Premiership sides, increased by the relegations of Norwich City, Southampton and Charlton Athletic, from the Championship last season.
It will be a close season, in which fans of many of those former-Premiership sides will be demanding nothing less than bouncing straight back, but it is easier said than done, shown by Leeds United's failed attempts since being relegated in 2007.
There are also some strong sides coming into the division from League Two, looking to make their marks, including a return of Brentford, who finished as champions. They are joined by Exeter City, Wycombe Wanderers and, winners of the League Two play-offs, Gillingham.
An exciting season looms as the sides kick-off tomorrow.
Brentford
The Bees were promoted as champions of League Two last season and Andy Scott has equipped his side well for life in League One. Transfers including a trio of Dagenham and Redbridge’s best players from last season, Ben Strevens, Danny Foster and Sam Saunders have arrived at Griffin Park, along with goalkeeper Nikki Bull from Aldershot and midfielder Myles Weston from Notts County. With their new signings in addition to last season’s squad, Brentford could find themselves challenging at the top of the table. Prediction: 2nd
Brighton And Hove Albion
Brighton finished in 16th place in League One last season and will be aiming to build on that this season. Albion will be an attacking threat, having signed striker Liam Dickinson from Derby County, and midfielders Mark Wright and Alan Navarro from Milton Keynes Dons, and should be capable for a top-half finish. Prediction: 9th
Bristol Rovers
Rovers finished in 11th place in League One last season and with quite a settled squad, there is no reason why they should not be expecting a similar finish this time around, but with the signings of other clubs, Rovers squad is not strong enough to claim a play-off spot. Prediction: 10th
Carlisle United
Carlisle avoided relegation by a point last season and, with the departure of striker Danny Graham, goals may be hard to come by and another season of struggle looks likely for Greg Abbott’s side. Prediction: 24th
Charlton Athletic
Charlton endured a miserable season last time around, finishing bottom of The Championship. Their fans will be longing for end to the miserable time they have had since relegation from The Premiership. Their squad, with the additions of defenders Christian Daily, Frazer Richardson and Miguel Angel Llera should be strong enough to stay up, but this could be a season of stopping the rot for The Addicks and steadying the ship in mid-table. Prediction: 15th
Colchester United
Paul Lambert’s side finished 12th in League One last season and will want to build on that, but they may miss winger Mark Yeates after his sale to Middlesbrough. Colchester will do well to reach as high as 12th again this season, but the loan of striker Kevin Lisbie from Ipswich could give them the goals they need to stave off relegation. Prediction: 16th
Exeter City
Exeter were promoted in second place in League Two last season and will be looking to build on the success they have achieved since coming back into the league. The signings of Scott Golbourne at left-back and Joe Burnell, if he can stay fit (because he is notoriously injury-prone) should see The Grecians finish comfortably in mid-table. Prediction: 11th
Gillingham
The Gills were promoted via the League Two play-offs last season and will find League One a challenging step up. They have not strengthened their squad enough to challenge at the top of the table, and depend a lot on Simeon Jackson. If he hits the same vein of form as last season and stays free of injury, they should stay up. Prediction:20th
Hartlepool United
Hartlepool finished last season just above the relegation zone and may find that they have not done enough to strengthen their side for this year’s campaign, which could see them struggle again. Prediction:21st
Huddersfield Town
The Terriors started showing potential under the guidance of Lee Clark last season, finishing 9th in League One. His side will be pushing for a play-off spot this year, aided by the pace of Theo Robinson, an arrival from Watford, in attack. Prediction:4th
Leeds United
The departure of Fabian Delph to Aston Villa could be crucial in Leeds’ season, but it means they should have money to spend to strengthen their squad. Whether Jermaine Beckford stays or not will also be crucial to Leeds’ season and their will be a lot of pressure on them again to achieve automatic promotion again. It would not be surprising if they fell into the play-offs again. Prediction:5th
Leyton Orient
Leyton Orient cruised to a 6-1 win over Newcastle United in pre-season, which should give O’s players a lot of confidence for the start of the season. Scott McGleish will also be a threat for them at the front. Prediction: 14th
Millwall
Millwall will lost out in the play-off semi-finals last season, but they should be strong again this year. With a similar squad to last season, expect Millwall to make another play-off bid, if not the automatic places. Prediction: 3rd
Milton Keynes Dons
Milton Keynes have been at the top of League One for the last couple of season and will be expected to mount another challenge at the top of the table. If Jermaine Easter focuses on his football, he will score goals and David McCracken, who left Wycombe Wanderers in the summer, will be a key part of Milton Keynes’ defence this year. Prediction: 6th
Norwich City
Norwich were relegated to League One last season, having finished 22nd in League One, but it will not be long before the Canaries return to the second tier of league football, having signed a host of decent players, in wing-man Simon Whaley from Preston North End, striker Grant Holt from Shrewsbury and Exeter’s Matthew Gill. Expect Norwich to do well this season. Prediction: 1st
Oldham Athletic
Oldham achieved a 10th-placed finished last time around and should improve that this season, thanks to the signings of potential goalscorers, Pawel Abbott and Keigan Parker. Joint signings from Huddersfield Town, Andy Holdsworth and Jon Worthington will also help Oldham to a top-half finish. Prediction: 7th
Southend United
Southend finished in 8th place last season , but the lack of improvements to their side will mean they may not be able to improve on this and can expect a similar finish this season. Prediction: 8th
Stockport County
Stockport finished last season in 18th place, but would have ended the season in 14th place in League One, had it not been for a 10-point deduction for going into administration. County will struggle this year with instability at the club and will miss players who have left, including Tommy Rowe. Prediction: 22nd
Swindon Town
After a 15th-place finish last season, Swindon have brought in some decent signings over the summer, but may miss striker Simon Cox, who has signed for West Bromwich Albion for £1.5million. Swindon may miss his goals at the front, but should have ample money to replace him. They will need to replace him soon, if they are to have a greater impact on League One this season. Prediction: 17th
Tranmere Rovers
Rovers missed out on the final League One play-off spot on the final day last season and fans will be optimistic of challenging again. But it is questionable how well new manager John Barnes will do in charge of Tranmere. He is a big name, but big names do not always come with success and Barnes. It is a risk appointment for Tranmere.Prediction: 23rd
Walsall
The Saddlers had a comfortable mid-table finish last time around and have signed defenders Jamie Vincent from Swindon Town, Peter Till from Grimsby and Matt Richards from Wycombe Wanderers, but they have not strengthened much at the front. Their side will not be strong enough ton challenge at the top this year, looking at the strength of some of the sides predicted above them. Prediction:13th
Wycombe Wanderers
Wycombe were promoted to League One automatically last season, albeit by the odd goal. The club went through a transition which led to Steve Hayes being the sole owner of the club this summer, which meant Peter Taylor may have lost out on some key transfer targets to rival clubs. No solution has been brought in for the Chairboys’ goalscoring problems, but, like last season, they should have a solid defence, with experienced defender Michael Duberry arriving at the club. Prediction:12th
Yeovil Town
Yeovil finished last season in 17th place in League One last season. They have brought in striker Dean Bowditch and experienced and well-rated midfielder Scott Murray, but this may not add enough quality to the side for a higher finish this time. Prediction: 18th
1. Norwich City
2. Brentford
3. Millwall
4. Huddersfield Town
5. Leeds United
6. Milton Keynes
7. Oldham Athletic
8. Southend United
9. Brighton And Hove Albion
10. Bristol Rovers
11. Exeter City
12. Wycombe Wanderers
13. Walsall
14. Leyton Orient
15. Charlton Athletic
16. Colchester United
17. Swindon Town
18. Yeovil Town
19. Southampton
20. Gillingham
21.Hartlepool United
22. Stockport County
23. Tranmere Rovers
24. Carlisle United
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