AUTHOR: Star Sports Content
STAR FOOTBALL PREVIEW: League Two 2026/27 – 1-24 Predictions
The 2026/27 campaign is nearly upon us and sure to be another exciting season!
Star Sports’ Social Media Manager and resident EFL expert JOE CITRONE has put together his preview for the new League Two campaign, complete with 1-24 predictions and recommended ante-post bets.
1st-3rd place – 🏆 Automatic promotion to League One
4th-7th place – 🔁 Qualification for the Play-Offs
23rd-24th place – ⬇️ Relegation to the National League
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1. Bristol Rovers
Steve Evans has made a career out of getting clubs out of League Two and there’s every reason to believe he can do it again. The experienced boss completely transformed the mood around the club last season, with Rovers ending the campaign as one of the division’s form sides after looking destined for a relegation battle under Darrell Clarke.
The club have backed him in the market too. Jack Aitchison arrives with a proven record at this level, while Bobby Kamwa adds pace, flair and unpredictability in the final third. Although Yusuf Akhamrich and Luke Thomas have moved on, Rovers arguably look stronger going forward.
With Evans’ know-how and a squad built in his image, Bristol Rovers look one of the safest picks for a promotion push.
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2. Salford City
There are no excuses for Salford City this season. The decision to part company with Karl Robinson raised plenty of eyebrows after play-offs disappointment, but it has been followed by one of the most ambitious recruitment drives in the division. The message from the Class of ’92 ownership is clear – enough is enough, they want out of League Two.
The arrivals of Macauley Langstaff and Luke Molyneux would be eye-catching at League One level, let alone in the fourth tier. Those signings significantly raise the ceiling of a squad that was already very strong.
With that level of investment comes expectation. Promotion isn’t just the target – it’s the minimum requirement. Anything less would be viewed as a very disappointing campaign.
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3. Grimsby Town
Grimsby have come close in recent seasons, and with David Artell still in charge, this could finally be the year where they reach the third-tier for the first time in over 20 years.
Keeping hold of key players (so far), including exciting striker Jaze Kabia, gives them a strong platform to challenge towards the top end of the division once again this term.
After a positive 2025/26 campaign, highlighted by a memorable EFL Cup win over Manchester United, promotion feels like the natural next step in the club’s progress, and that’s why I am fancying them to grab the final automatic-promotion spot.
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4. Port Vale
Last season’s relegation was a huge disappointment, but Jon Brady still gave the club reasons for optimism.
They’ll be aiming to bounce straight back to League One, and they’ve made a solid start to the summer.
Keeping Onel Hernandez could prove to be their best piece of business. If he gets up to speed, he has the quality to be a real difference-maker in League Two.
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5. Chesterfield
They’ve been one of the most consistent sides in League Two, reaching the play-offs in each of the last two seasons.
The summer hasn’t been spectacular, but they’ve kept the core of the squad together and stuck with the same manager, giving them plenty of stability to push for promotion once again.
I’m also excited to see Fraser Bryden after his move from Crusaders. He scored goals for fun in Northern Ireland, and it’ll be interesting to see if he can make the step up to the EFL.
I have the Spireites getting another play-off spot.
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6. Northampton Town
After relegation, the aim has to be an immediate return to League One, and that’ll be the expectation at Sixfields.
Chris Hogg takes on his first managerial role after earning a strong reputation as Liam Manning’s assistant. It’s a gamble, but one that feels modern and progressive.
I like the appointment, and I think the Cobblers have a good chance of challenging near the top end of the table. I have them finishing in the play-off places.
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7. York City
An outstanding National League title-winning season, finishing on 108 points, has them well placed for a strong return to the EFL.
The decision to sack Stuart Maynard and replace him with Scott Lindsey raised plenty of eyebrows, but the club have moved to add a mix of proven League Two players, like Mark Shelton from Barnet, and also some young up-and-comers, such as Zak Johnson from Sunderland.
Losing Malachi Fagan-Walcott is a blow, but they’ve recruited well once again and also managed to tie top goalscorer Josh Stones down to a long-term contract, and so I can see them having a very strong season.
I would have them higher, but that Lindsey appointment has me a little worried (and very confused!)
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8. Oldham Athletic
It took them a while to get going last season, but once they found their rhythm, they became one of the tougher sides to play against.
Micky Mellon knows exactly what it takes to get results at this level, even if his teams aren’t always the most entertaining.
The addition of Southend duo Gus Scott-Morriss and Keenan Appiah-Forson looks like smart business, and I can see them having another strong season. I have them finishing comfortably in the top half.
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9. Rotherham United
Rotherham’s fall has been remarkable. They were in the Championship in 2023-24, but now find themselves preparing for life in League Two.
Alex Bruce, son of Steve, has been brought in for his first managerial job in the EFL, with former England boss Steve McClaren also taking on the role of director of football. It’s an interesting new era, but there’s plenty to prove.
Losing Sam Nombe and Joe Powell is a blow, although I like the additions of Jamie Jellis and Ossama Ashley.
I’m still not convinced by Rotherham, though. The feel around the club isn’t all that great after relegation, and I think they need more quality. I have them finishing in the top half, but just outside the play-off places.
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10. Crewe Alexandra
Under Lee Bell, Crewe have become one of the more consistent teams in League Two, regularly challenging towards the top end without quite taking the next step.
I expect a similar story this season. It may frustrate supporters, but budget constraints make it difficult to compete with some of the division’s bigger clubs.
They’ve made some solid signings, but with a relatively small squad, I think they’ll just fall short of the promotion race again.
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11. Rochdale
Rochdale look well set up for life back in the EFL after an incredible promotion campaign, capped off by victory over Boreham Wood in the National League play-off final.
Losing Jimmy McNulty to Stockport County is a blow, but they’ve moved quickly to appoint another promising young coach in Ian Watson from South Shields, and I like the business they’ve done in retaining Cian Hayes and adding Laurence Maguire and Zain Silcott-Duberry.
Promoted teams often carry plenty of momentum into the following season, and I think Rochdale will do exactly that. I have them finishing comfortably in mid-table.
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12. Walsall
After falling short under Mat Sadler, Walsall have turned to Lee Grant in the hope he can guide them to promotion.
Grant comes across well, but he looked a little out of his depth at Huddersfield, and I’m not convinced he’s the man to take the Saddlers to the next level.
Reece Smith and James Connolly could be exciting additions, but beyond that, the recruitment hasn’t really stood out. I see Walsall in mid-table.
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13. Barnet
Barnet enjoyed an impressive first season back in the EFL under Dean Brennan, but the challenge now is to build on it.
Losing both Ryan Glover and Callum Stead is a significant blow, and replacing their quality won’t be easy. They’ll also have to avoid the dreaded ‘second-season syndrome’.
I don’t see them dropping into trouble, but I think they’ll fall short of the play-off race this time around.
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14. Gillingham
There’s been another major squad overhaul, and it feels like this season has to work for Gareth Ainsworth. It’s been a long time since his success with Wycombe, and the pressure is building.
James Brophy looks like a smart signing, but beyond that, the recruitment hasn’t really stood out to me.
I’m also still not convinced by Brad Galinson’s long-term project. It’s not inconceivable that this all clicks this season, but I’m struggling to see Gillingham making a serious push up the table.
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15. Shrewsbury Town
Gavin Cowan did an excellent job after arriving last season, steering Shrewsbury comfortably away from trouble, and I’m expecting a much more stable campaign this time around.
A transfer embargo could limit what they’re able to achieve, but I still don’t see them getting dragged into a relegation battle.
I think it’ll be a solid, but unspectacular season for Salop.
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16. Colchester United
It feels like the Cowley brothers’ project is starting to lose a bit of momentum after a couple of steady seasons.
Losing Kyreece Lisbie to Reading and missing out on bringing Will Goodwin back leaves them looking short of firepower up front.
The Cowleys should keep Colchester clear of trouble, but I’m not expecting them to be pushing towards the top end of the table.
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17. Fleetwood Town
They’ve kept the core of last season’s squad together, but I’m not sure they’ve strengthened enough to really push on.
There are also question marks over Matt Lawlor, who is still relatively inexperienced as a manager.
A lack of goals and a small squad could hold them back, and I have them in 17th-position.
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18. Swindon Town
The Robins completely fell away at the end of last season, throwing away a play-off place after sitting top of the table in mid-November and spending most of the campaign in the top seven.
The worry is that poor run could carry into the new season. Ian Holloway isn’t exactly the most level-headed of managers either; his recent criticism of the squad after a pre-season game suggests there are still issues to address.
They’ve only made four signings at the time of writing, and unless more arrive, I can see them slipping well away from the play-off race and right down the League Two table.
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19. Tranmere Rovers
Tranmere have been on a steady decline over the last few seasons, and last campaign did little to suggest they’re heading back in the right direction.
I’m also not convinced Darrell Clarke is the man to turn things around after a disappointing second spell at Bristol Rovers.
Tom Ince is an eye-catching signing, but I still think Tranmere could be in for another relegation battle this season.
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20. Crawley Town
Crawley only just stayed up last season, and survival will probably be the main target again this time around.
The appointment of Colin Kazim-Richards is an interesting gamble. He talks well, but this is a tough first job in management.
They’ve been busy in the transfer market, but a lot of the new arrivals feel like gambles too. If I were a Crawley fan, I’d be happy to get through this season with EFL status still intact.
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21. Accrington Stanley
Given their financial constraints, Accrington always face an uphill battle, and that won’t change this season.
A 16th-place finish last year was respectable, but with League Two looking stronger this time around, they could find themselves a few places lower.
Once again, they’ve backed non-league talent in the transfer market. If those signings adapt quickly, they’ll be fine. If not, it could be a long season.
22. Exeter City
Exeter are in a difficult position after relegation, with financial issues making it tough to rebuild and stabilise.
The squad already looks light, and with Jayden Wareham expected to leave, they’re struggling to add the depth they need.
It could be another difficult season for the Grecians.
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23. Cheltenham Town
Steve Cotterill did a brilliant job keeping Cheltenham up last season, but I’m not convinced he’s the right manager to push them forward over a full campaign.
They also looked a completely different side without Isaac Hutchinson, and replacing his influence won’t be easy after he returned from his loan spell.
I can see Cheltenham struggling this season, and I have them finishing in the bottom two.
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24. Newport County
Newport survived by the skin of their teeth last season, and it’s hard to see them getting that lucky again.
Christian Fuchs has gone, with the inexperienced Hayden Mullins taking charge, while losing Bobby Kamwa is a huge blow after everything he contributed to their survival.
There are more questions than positives heading into the new season, and I have Newport finishing 24th.
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