With the Premier League taking a week off due to internationals, this weekend will see the spotlight shine on the lower leagues, with the battle at the top of the League One table particularly exciting.
In-form Wigan In Pole Position
Currently, it is Leam Richardson’s Wigan who leads the way in League One, with Sunderland narrowly behind on goal difference.
It has been a remarkable turnaround for the Latics, who were close to League Two last season after their well-documented financial issues.
However, some excellent summer transfer business has allowed them to sit pretty at the top of the table, winning each of their last four games.
They also have up to four games in hand over some of their rivals at the top, meaning they have ample opportunity to extend their lead, starting with a trip to Cheltenham.
Wigan are available at 1/1 to win the title, while Sunderland, looking to end their League One nightmare, are 13/2 to claim the title.
Lee Johnson has done well with a relatively thin squad, and the arrivals of Patrick Roberts and Jack Clarke this month will give them some much-needed flair on the wings.
Rotherham and Wycombe, relegated from the Championship last season, are also in hot pursuit and are 6/4 and 18/1 respectively to win the title.
Bottom Three Look Doomed
The bottom of League One seems a bit more clear-cut. Gillingham, Crewe, and Doncaster are drifting away from their rivals, and it will require a major turnaround to escape trouble.
The fourth relegation place seems more up for grabs – Morecambe currently occupy that spot, and Stephen Robinson’s men can be backed at 1/2 to see their third-tier adventure end.
However, AFC Wimbledon and Cheltenham above them have suffered alarming dips in form and must arrest that slide to stop themselves from dropping into the fourth tier.
Fleetwood are hovering above the drop zone in 19th, but two wins from their last four have given them a slight lift.
Forest Green Well Set For League One
At the top of League Two, it looks like this could finally be Forest Green’s year after much playoff disappointment in the past.
Rob Edwards’ side are seven points clear at the top and, more crucially, 11 points ahead of the playoff places.
In second, Mickey Mellon looks as though he is going to produce the goods for Tranmere once again, with the Merseysiders, astonishingly- miserly defence helping put them second, and they can be backed at 11/10 to win promotion.
Behind those two, it is very tight – Newport currently occupy third, and like Forest Green, they will be hoping to finally achieve promotion after years of play off heartache.
Sutton are gunning for back-to-back promotions, while Northampton are fifth, though they have gone off the boil, failing to win any of their last four games.
Oldham And Scunthorpe On The Brink Of A Nightmare
The big hazard in League Two is the thought of dropping out of the EFL and into non-league, and for Oldham and Scunthorpe, that is looking a likely prospect.
The Latics are seven points off safety with their off-field issues well known, while five successive defeats for Keith Hill’s Iron see them six points off 22nd.
Colchester are the closest team to falling through the trap door, but a 3-0 win at Salford on Saturday will have done them a world of good, and they are duly priced at 9/2 to go down.
Cumbrian duo Barrow and Carlisle are just above, but both teams have been able to grab important wins in recent weeks.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
