2020/21 League One Winner Odds

Ahead of a the 2020/21 League One season filled with relative heavyweights, Sunderland surely stands near the top of the list once again. The Black Cats were relegated from the Premier League for the first time in 10 years back in 2016-17, finishing bottom, and the club have continued to spiral downwards ever since.

After sacking David Moyes and losing many of their quality players, the club suffered a second consecutive relegation to find themselves in League One. Their first campaign in the third division of English football was a mild improvement, losing in the play-off final, before a disappointing start in 2019/20 led to an eighth-place finish.

However, they are the firm favourites heading into the new campaign now that Coventry City, Rotherham United and Wycombe Wanderers we're all promoted in 2019/20. Now, with Phil Parkinson's proven track record in the lower leagues, Sunderland to win League One odds sit at 7/1 to get out of the third tier at the third time of asking.

Striker Will Grigg is prolific at this level, although he struggled to capture his goalscoring form in Sunderland colours so far, and he, Aiden McGeady and others need vastly improved campaigns if the club are to succeed.

Plus, with rumours of a potential takeover rife, there is reason to be optimistic about the Black Cats’ future, but the immediate aims remain on getting the club back amongst the Championship hopefuls.

Another team of great stature that will be itching themselves all year to get out of League One is Charlton Athletic, who find themselves in the third tier of English football after suffering relegation from the Championship.

The London outfit looked like they were going to be safe in the second division for another season, but a fabulous 2-1 win for Barnsley against promotion hopefuls Brentford, forced Chartlon into the bottom three.

One of the problems for the Addicks in their spiral into League One was their lack of goals, as the club netted just 50 goals in 2019/10 - the third-lowest in the Championship. At the same time, only Lyle Taylor and Macauley Bonne scored more than seven goals in the Championship in the last campaign, which will cause great concern in League One. Plus, with Taylor signing for Nottingham Forest, just as Bonne is linked with a move away, it's clear Charlton will need to sign some new players in this transfer window.

Lee Bowyer’s side, however, are still well-equipped to make an immediate return and are placed only behind Sunderland as the team to beat in League One. Charlton to win League One odds are now priced at 9/1.

Peterborough United just missed out on a spot in the League One play-offs by finishing seventh in another 'almost' year. However, their performances were strong enough that the club are now favoured to be one of the threats in 2020/21 and Peterborough to win League One odds are priced at 8/1, above Charlton and just behind Sunderland.

However, the future of Ivan Toney is set to give the Posh the worst start to the League One season, as they look to build and grow into a Championship side without him.

If Peterborough are to keep hold of the 24-year-old, they would definitely have the firepower to challenge for the league title, as he bagged 24 goals and won the top scorer award last time out. Toney is expected to leave, however, after announcing that it was “time to move on” amid the constant transfer rumours, most notably, Celtic.

If the club can adequately replace Toney’s goals, they will certainly challenge for the League One title and promotion via a play-off places is certainly going to be worth taking a look at.

Defeated in the League One play-off semi-final on penalties, Portsmouth have to be considered one of the favourites for the title this time around and Portsmouth to win League One odds sit at 10/1.

They suffered erratic form in 2019-20, not being able to perform on a consistent basis as they finished in the playoff spots, but are being linked with some interesting players ahead of the new campaign. Liverpool winger – and the youngest goalscorer in the club’s history – Ben Woodburn has been pegged for a loan move to Fratton Park, and the Welsh international would be a solid signing for Portsmouth as they chase League One glory.

There is a whole host of clubs that are pegged to be there-or-thereabouts at the end of the season, such as the unpredictable nature of the lower leagues of professional domestic football.

Oxford United (10/1) are the strongest of this group, with the club losing the League One Playoff Final to Wycombe Wanderers, and they will be keen to bounce back with a strong showing as The Us chase that elusive promotion.

Hull City (12/1) – who played Premier League football in 2016-17 – could also make a push for the title, with the Tigers suffering from relegation from the Championship in 2019-20. Hull have a decent squad intact, and will undoubtedly try to escape League One sooner rather than later.

By Andrew Gamble