Latest League One Odds: Title Wrapped Up?

There were some big moments in League One this weekend, and the landscape of the division has changed a little as a result. At the top, the lead is clear, but the relegation fight is closer than it has ever been. 

Let's take a look!

Cardiff's to Lose?

We start with the league leaders, and Cardiff City currently hold a fantastic lead at the top. In fact, it would be difficult to see them dropping off now, and the 4/9 price for them to win the division with QuinnBet is not at all shocking.

Their position was strengthened to six points with a huge win against Bradford City at the weekend. Two goals in the first half effectively wrapped things up for the Bluebirds, and in the process, they knocked a title hopeful off balance and potentially back into the play-off picture. 

Most people expected them to be in the title conversation, and they could potentially have it wrapped up much sooner than people anticipated. 

If anyone is to stop Brian Barry-Murphy’s team, it will be Lincoln, it seems, given they are sitting in second and are on a great run of form themselves. Their unbeaten record is marvellous, and it only makes you think that they are a threat, even if there is the points gap to overcome. 

However, they were left slightly disappointed this weekend with their draw to Luton Town away from home. All four goals came in the first half, and Michael Skubala will feel especially frustrated as his side gave away a two-goal lead. 

AK Bets are offering 7/1 if you think they can catch Cardiff, but that certainly feels a little bit low in my eyes. 

Changes at the Top

Bradford City certainly could be in the title picture still. Ultimately, they have a nine-point gap to the Bluebirds, with the bonus of a game in hand. However, they will not get a chance to win that six-pointer again. 

As a result, it does seem more likely that they will be forced to settle for an automatic promotion spot, or failing that, a spot inside the League One play-offs, if they are to go up to the Championship. 

The loss to Cardiff is certainly not something to be too disappointed by. After all, they are a newbie in the division, so the fact that they have contested a spot in the title race for so long must be applauded.

They are still candidates for automatic promotion, too, with Lincoln only three points away. In other words, there is still a lot to play for.

Stockport County sit below them, and their second win in a row has certainly strengthened their position in the play-offs. It was not the prettiest win against a struggling Rotherham side. However, they got the job done. 

They were required to take the lead three times, and that third time was enough to hold on, with Rotherham unable to find any answers for the Hatters.

Sitting in fifth is Bolton, and their win this weekend has also given them a nice boost in the top six. In fact, they now have a three-point buffer to sixth, so they could be able to relax a little bit. 

A win against rivals Wigan this weekend also helps the morale around the club, so they will hope to keep spirits high, despite the fact that they have only won one of their last five League One games. Maybe a chance to turn things around. 

Taking the final spot in the play-offs, somehow, is Huddersfield Town, who were well beaten by Burton Albion this weekend. It is a result which could be significant, though, given Lee Grant has now lost his job as head coach. 

Liam Manning is the favourite to take over, and he will instantly require some big results with teams sitting on their tail.

With the Terriers sitting on 39 points after 27 games, they are quite vulnerable. Nine points separate the gap to 20th, with most teams having games (plural) in hand. In other words, they may need some things to go in their favour!

Problematic Port Vale

Sitting at the bottom, Port Vale lost again this weekend, as a potential play-off chaser in Mansfield well beat them. It is certainly not a shock that they are 1/5 for relegation to League Two this season. Indeed, it would take a near-miracle at this moment.

Rotherham are also looking quite doomed at this moment, as they have a five-point gap to overturn to escape the drop zone. However, with seven defeats in a row, and their last win coming in November, it seems quite likely that they will not turn around the gap. 

Doncaster are not as doomed as the other two, sitting only three points away from potential safety at this moment. With four points accumulated from their last six available, they may be turning a corner after a pretty rotten run of form. 

Then, taking the final spot in the drop zone is Northampton Town. They were only narrowly beaten by Wycombe at the weekend. So, it certainly could’ve been worse. They are only in the bottom four on goal difference at this moment, so things can turn around quickly. 

Blackpool are the other team ‘sharing’ that spot currently, but with Northampton having a game in hand on the Tangerines, things could change drastically. 

Given the gap from 15th to 21st is only three points, a lot can change at the bottom. For example, Burton drew themselves out of the drop zone with their win against Huddersfield this weekend. Whilst they are only safe by a point, that looks huge at this moment, given how poor everyone else is at the bottom.