League One 2026/27 Predicted Table: Full 24-Team Breakdown

League One is stacked this season. Three sides drop in from the Championship carrying big budgets, four come up buzzing from League Two and the 17 who stayed put all fancy their chances of finally kicking on. Below is a full breakdown of where we think each of the 24 clubs is likely to finish, based on the summer's business, the managerial merry go round and recent form. Odds and squad news move fast in this division, so check the latest prices before backing anything and gamble responsibly.

1. Luton Town

Luton fell just short of the play offs last season but the EFL Trophy final win over Stockport under Jack Wilshere showed real progress under the young manager. A full pre season to build on that, rather than the mid season rebuild he inherited, should take the Hatters up another level. The additions of Kasey Palmer and Harrison Ashby add real quality to an already strong squad carrying parachute payment class from their Premier League years. On paper this looks like the best group in the division and our pick for the title.

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2. Leicester City

Ten years on from being Premier League champions, Leicester's fall to League One under Gary Rowett's brief rescue mission is remarkable. Russell Martin has been brought in to lead the rebuild and inherits, on paper, the strongest individual squad in the division. The question is whether a club that has churned through seven managers since 2023 can shake off the losing mentality that crept in during back to back relegations. If Martin gets the culture right, Leicester should be firmly in the promotion mix from the start.

3. Huddersfield Town

Given the money invested in this squad, last season was a disappointment at the John Smith's Stadium. A rookie appointment in Lee Grant gave way to Liam Manning, who left for personal reasons and now another young manager, Martin Drury, takes the reins. That kind of turnover rarely produces stability, but there's enough individual quality in this squad, built under previous regimes, to expect a solid campaign regardless and a charge at promotion is definitely on the cards.

4. Sheffield Wednesday

An 18 point deduction, more than 30 defeats and a finish on zero points made for a disastrous campaign in the championship, all against a backdrop of ownership chaos that ended in relegation. The picture is far brighter now, with the ownership situation stabilised and renewed optimism around Hillsborough. Henrik Pedersen stays on to lead the rebuild and the signings of Callum Slattery, Billy Mitchell and Louie Barry, along with the return of Barry Bannan, represent serious summer business for a club of this size. A promotion push looks well within reach.

5. Plymouth Argyle

Tom Cleverley endured a difficult start at Home Park after replacing Miron Muslić, who left for Schalke, but he still guided Argyle to within touching distance of the play offs. Losing top scorer Lorent Tolaj is a blow that will need addressing, but with a full pre season now under his belt rather than a mid year takeover, Cleverley should be able to build something more settled. A strong season near the top end of the table looks realistic if the goals can be found elsewhere.

6. Stockport County

Stockport's decision to part with Dave Challinor came as a surprise given how well things had gone and Jimmy McNulty, fresh off promotion with Rochdale, now inherits a squad still smarting from that narrow play off final defeat to Bolton. The additions of experienced heads like Ben Osborn and Eoghan O'Connell add know how, while Ryan Glover and Ollie Whatmuff bring youthful upside. Edgeley Park's atmosphere continues to be one of the best in the division. Another strong season, with a genuine promotion push looks likely.

7. Wycombe Wanderers

Michael Duff got a real tune out of this squad last season before a late wobble cost a serious play off push, and a full pre season under him now should sharpen things up. The signing of Steve Cook adds proven experience at the back, Conor Hazard's arrival should solve last season's goalkeeping issues, and keeping hold of Fred Onyedinma may prove to be the summer's smartest piece of business. A strong campaign, with Wycombe pushing hard for a top six finish, looks well within reach.

8. MK Dons

After going straight up from League Two, survival is the stated first objective, but a squad and manager of this calibre won't be settling for that alone. Paul Warne has a track record of getting teams promoted, and the arrivals of Dan Barlaser, Ryan Wintle and Sam Nombe give real League One quality to work with. The step up in physicality always catches promoted sides out to a degree, but this group looks better equipped than most. A top half finish, with a play off push is realistic.

9. Bradford City

Bradford were one of League One's surprise packages last season after coming up from League Two, built around a well drilled, hard working team under Graham Alexander rather than one standout individual. Adam Phillips looks a smart addition from Barnsley, but with the division looking even stronger this season, repeating last year's play off push may prove difficult against the bigger spenders above them. Another top half finish would still represent a strong campaign for a club still adjusting to life back at this level.

10. Reading

Leam Richardson isn't the most popular figure at the Select Car Leasing Stadium after last season's late collapse, but before that wobble he showed he can grind results out even when the football isn't easy on the eye. Kyreece Lisbie arrives with plenty of promise after impressing at Colchester, Jack Marriott adds goals, and Lewis Wing remains one of the better creative midfielders in the division. John Coleman's arrival as assistant manager brings further experience to the staff. A solid top half finish looks the likely outcome.

11. Leyton Orient

Last season was a disappointment for Orient, with manager Richie Wellens openly frustrated at how it played out and there's clear motivation to bounce back. Yusuf Akhamrich arrives on an exciting loan from Tottenham Hotspur after a productive spell at Bristol Rovers, while Armando Dobra adds pace and quality on the opposite flank. Orient should be considerably stronger this time after narrowly missing out on promotion two seasons ago, and a push back towards the top end of the table seems the most likely outcome.

12. Stevenage

Stevenage were last season's surprise package, unexpectedly finishing in the play off places under Alex Revell and the obvious question is whether that can be repeated. The summer's recruitment has been fairly quiet without anything that fundamentally changes the level of the squad, with the signing of Josh Magennis the most notable addition. A natural drop off from the play offs feels likely, but there's enough organisation in this group to have a comfortable mid table season regardless.

13. Peterborough United

Peterborough have lost two of last season's standout performers in Kyrell Lisbie and Archie Collins, and it's not yet clear that quality has been fully replaced. New boss Luke Williams impressed during his time at Notts County and should get the best out of what's left, but even a good manager needs the players to match his ideas. Owner Darragh MacAnthony will expect a play off push at minimum, but there isn't yet enough evidence in this squad to suggest that's coming. A quieter season than usual at London Road looks likely.

14. Doncaster Rovers

It was a difficult first season back in League One for Doncaster, who spent much of the campaign looking over their shoulder under Grant McCann. A more settled campaign looks likely this time, with the signings of Jordan Thomas and Isaac Hutchinson catching the eye after impressive spells at Cheltenham. Doncaster aren't challenging for the play offs, but there's enough here for a comfortable, unspectacular mid table finish without any serious relegation scares.

15. Blackpool

It was a tough campaign at Bloomfield Road, with Ian Evatt eventually steering the club clear of relegation trouble but in far from convincing fashion. Losing top scorer Ashley Fletcher leaves a real hole up front, and there's been nothing in the transfer market so far to suggest it's been filled with anything like enough quality. Evatt's reputation has cooled since his impressive rise at Barrow and another bottom half finish looks the most likely outcome for the Seasiders this time around.

16. Oxford United

Aaron Ramsey's first job in senior management comes with a difficult backdrop, with Oxford hit by a registration embargo that leaves them unable to bring in new signings. There's still a strong core to work with in Cameron Brannagan, Stan Mills and Tyler Goodrham, but the lack of squad depth is a real concern heading into a long season. If that group stays fit and together, Oxford should be fine. If injuries bite, it could be a very difficult first year in the dugout for Ramsey.

17. Barnsley

Daniel Stendel is back at Oakwell after a first spell that ended in promotion from League One, but many of the same issues that have held Barnsley back remain. Losing David McGoldrick to a league rival is a blow, and the summer's incoming business hasn't obviously strengthened the squad enough to compensate. Stendel's promotion success came a long time ago, and after several years managing Hannover's reserve side, it remains to be seen whether he can recapture that form. Another disappointing season looks a real possibility.

18. Wigan Athletic

Wigan have lost some important players this summer, with Sam Tickle, Jason Kerr and Will Aimson all departing, and the incoming business hasn't obviously replaced that quality. Sonny Perkins arrives with question marks after a disappointing spell at Leyton Orient, while Max Power's arrival looks like a step backwards, particularly given the club's earlier interest in re-signing Matt Smith. There are also fair doubts over whether Gary Caldwell is the right long term appointment. A difficult season looks likely at Wigan.

19. Notts County

A superb play off final win over Salford secured promotion, but staying up will be the priority now. Losing Alassana Jatta is a real blow and there are rumours that Jodi Jones, another key contributor to last season's success, could follow him out of the door. There are also fair question marks over the manager given previous struggles at this level. A difficult campaign looks likely and survival alone would represent a positive first season back in League One.

20. Bromley

Andy Woodman has done a remarkable job taking Bromley into the third tier for the first time in the club's history. Keeping the core of last season's promotion squad together while adding smart pieces like JJ McKiernan and Kamil Conteh gives them a chance of holding their own. This is still a big step up in physicality and quality from League Two, but with talisman Michael Cheek leading the line, there's enough here to survive, even if it goes down to the wire.

21. Mansfield Town

Nigel Clough has done a brilliant job simply getting Mansfield to this level and keeping them there, but this could be the season it finally catches up with the Stags. Business has been light so far, with only three signings, and bringing in David McGoldrick and Michael Smith as a strike partnership with a combined age of 72 looks a short term fix rather than a lasting answer to a lack of firepower. There isn't enough quality across this squad to survive a stronger looking division and relegation looks a real threat.

22. Cambridge United

Cambridge bounced straight back up at the first attempt under Neil Harris after relegation, but this season looks considerably tougher. Callum Stead arrives as a solid enough addition from Barnet, but the squad still looks short of overall quality for what's coming. Harris will need to repeat last season's overachievement almost to the letter and Cambridge look set to be involved in a relegation battle towards the bottom of the table.

23. AFC Wimbledon

Wimbledon were solid for much of last season before a late collapse nearly dragged them into serious trouble, and that wobble looks more like a warning sign than a blip. Marcus Browne is the standout player when fit, but his injury record is a real concern, and without him this squad looks short of the quality needed. Johnnie Jackson usually gets a good tune out of limited resources, but there doesn't look to be enough here to survive and relegation looks the likely outcome.

24. Burton Albion

Burton are one of the smaller clubs at this level and already face an uphill battle to stay competitive, made harder by the uncertainty hanging over the club after admitted breaches of the FA's agent regulations, with sanctions still possible. Matthew Dennis looks a decent enough addition, but the squad still looks short of what's needed to compete in a stronger looking League One. A very difficult season looks likely at the Pirelli Stadium.