Latest League One Odds: One Win in the Top Six

This weekend, there were not too many wins at the top of the division, with several teams drawing. However, a few teams have progressed up the table.

New Leaders... Again

Now sitting at the top of the division is Stockport County, whose fourth win in a row this weekend has put them in first place, and their performance was deserving of it. On Monday night, they put three past Port Vale, completing the job in the first 30 minutes.

As a result, they are now the second favourites for the league title and it is not really a shock. Dave Challinor’s record is superb, and after missing out on promotion last season, he will want to get the job done this time around.

However, they are not the favourites to win the division, largely because they do not have any games in hand, like others around them do. 

The favourites are Cardiff City, and they have played one game fewer than the Hatters. If they were to win that, they would go top, but only by a point, considering they lost their advantage at the weekend.

In Saturday’s early kick-off, they faced a Bolton side who have been excellent recently, and lost by a single goal. It is only their third loss of the season, so I would not be worried about them at this moment.

Whilst these two are the favourites for the title currently, it is certainly not a two-horse race, with quite a few teams close by. The most threatening, though, would have to be Stevenage. 

Sitting in third, Boro have two games in hand on Stockport and could get a four-point advantage if they are to win both of them, of course, depending on other results too. 

Like Cardiff, though, they too were held this weekend. However, they still managed to pick up a point against Bradford, who also could be classed as a title challenger. 

Most probably did not expect them to be sitting in third right now, so a lot of credit must be given to Alex Revell for how much his side are overachieving.

Tough to Call

It feels a little harsh to relegate Bradford City to this section, but I feel they are probably stronger play-off candidates than title candidates right now, given they have drawn their last four games, including the aforementioned result with Stevenage at the weekend and then in midweek against Lincoln.

A lot is going for the Bantams, given they have only lost one game and also have a game in hand, which could take them top. However, this lull in form is certainly making it seem a bit more unlikely that they win the league. 

Sitting below them is Wimbledon, who lost their first home game since the 19th of August this weekend, and it was against Burton Albion. Many, including myself, thought they were one of the picks of the week to win. 

However, they were narrowly beaten by the Brewers, which has put a stop to an excellent recent run of form, which has seen them fly up the table in the past month. Despite the loss, though, I think they are still looking very solid for a play-off place.

Then, taking the final spot in the top six is Lincoln City, who have had a bit of a disappointing week. Away at Leyton Orient, they fell to defeat on Saturday, but they still managed to pick up a point against Bradford in midweek, which is a solid result. 

Despite this, they could have gotten more involved in the title picture with a win in either game, so it will be seen as a chance missed, especially with the gap below them shortening.

The final real team of note is Bolton Wanderers, who have crept up on the play-off spots recently. Three wins in their last five mean they are now just a point away from the top six, even if they do not have any games in hand. 

This weekend’s win against Cardiff was certainly a statement to the rest of the league, too. So, it would be difficult to argue that they are not one of the main contenders for the play-offs right now. Perhaps even the title if they continue at this pace.

Burton Escape Bottom Four

Looking towards the bottom, things are also quite interesting. With the odd win dotted about here and there.

Peterborough have now returned to the bottom and are now relegation favourites. After a win last weekend, they could have put together a bit of form. However, they lost their relegation six-pointer against Blackpool, who now sit in 23rd after the game.

Snatching a 2-1 win away from home is huge for the Tangerines, who have been massively disappointing this season. It lifts them off the bottom, though, and you have to say that their recent form does not look too damning.

For Posh, it is a massive chance wasted, especially as they were on top for large parts of the game. Who knows how big a defeat this will be at the end of the season? 

Plymouth have had a dismal week, too, after two losses with four conceded. In the Devon Derby, they were well beaten by Exeter City, and then they followed that result up with a 2-0 defeat to Mansfield Town in midweek. A terrible week for the Pilgrims.

Rounding off the bottom four is Port Vale, after their hammering against Stockport. They are now winless in four games, having drawn two and lost their last two games. Darren Moore’s side are certainly desperate for a bit of change. 

Finally, Burton Albion deserve a lot of praise for their win this weekend against Wimbledon. Three points have taken them outside of the drop zone, and they will hope to remain there, given their recent form has been pretty good, in fairness.