2010-2011 Npower Football League One betting odds

Football Betting

Southampton were one of the best teams in League One last season, although a large points deduction for going into administration and a slow start prevented them from reaching the play-offs. This time around, the Saints have been installed as strong favourites to win the division and they may well oblige at odds of 5/2 that are available with Sporting Bet. The Hampshire club shouldn’t be short of goals thanks to the firepower of Rickie Lambert and Lee Barnard.

However, as we saw with Leeds United last season, the short-priced favourites don’t always oblige and it’s perfectly possible that Alan Pardew’s team could have a run in one of the cup competitions. Not to mention the fact that they are the big fish in the division with the exception of a certain sleeping giant in south Yorkshire!

Sheffield Wednesday supporters must have thought they had seen the back of the English third tier, although this well-supported club are once again enduring a downward spiral and there’s not much cash available to improve the side. Although Allan Irvine seems like a decent manager and Clinton Morrison was an eye-catching signing for the Owls, the odds of 6/1 (Victor Chandler) about them winning League One look a little skinny.

Indeed, the bookmakers have done their usual trick of making the relegated trio from the Championship too short in the outright betting for League One. Peterborough (12/1 Victor Chandler) might bounce back under Gary Johnson, but we can practically draw a line through Plymouth (18/1 Blue Square) who have appointed the hapless Peter Reid and will be lucky to scramble a place in the top six.

Instead, it may be preferable to consider a progressive team such as Huddersfield Town or Brighton and Hove Albion. The Terriers reached the play-offs under Lee Clark last term and the former Newcastle player will be looking for his team to improve their away form and grab themselves an automatic promotion spot. With Jordan Rhodes, Theo Robinson and Lee Novak leading the line, Ladbrokes’ 8/1 about them winning this division looks well worth taking.

Brighton were situated near the foot of League One for much of last season, although the appointment of Gus Poyet as manager proved to be the turning point. The Uruguayan rallied the Seagulls to the extent that they were beating some of the best teams in the division and Paddy Power offers excellent each-way value at odds of 14/1.

Swindon Town were a whisker away from being promoted last season, losing out in the play-off final to Millwall by a single goal. The Robins are 20/1 (Coral) on the outright market this time around, although the sale of striker Billy Paynter to Leeds arguably makes them a weaker prospect this time around.

Notts County are the most interesting of the newly-promoted teams that came up from League Two last season. While their financial position continues to be murky, they have the benefit of momentum gathered from last season and Lee Hughes should score regularly at this level. Victor Chandler offer 25/1 that the Magpies are crowned champions in May.