Latest League One Odds: Questions About Prices

Stockport Favouritism Continues

Before the international break, Stockport were the favourites to win the League One title and that hasn't changed over the past few weeks. Instead, they're now much shorter. Once 5/1, they've now shortened into 5/2 with this weekend's win against Barnsley.

It was a game that they were expected to grab three points in, but it's a further improvement on their already strong goal difference.

Personally speaking, though, I'd not have them as heavy favourites. Wins against Barnsley, Peterborough, Wigan and even Wycombe aren't hugely impressive. All four have been underwhelming this season and the Hatters' games away from them haven't exactly wowed.

5/2 feels incredibly short.

Yorkshire Title Derby

In HD1 this weekend, there was another big game, as Huddersfield Town took on Sheffield Wednesday in a Yorkshire derby. Two of the pre-season favourites for the title facing off in a game which already meant a lot.

It's fair to say that neither team will be happy with the result, too. In fact, the only winners were the other title-chasing sides. Huddersfield had a 2-0 lead at one point, but it fell apart in the final 10 minutes.

An own-goal and a penalty in the 98th minute saw the sides leave with a point each and whilst Wednesday will be happy to get a point, they can't be happy with the performance. However, there is something to take note of.

Sporting Index have the Owls at 12/1 to win the title - with three each-way places offered - and they're currently four points behind the league leaders. With that said, they have two games in hand and they could leapfrog the leaders.

The price feels questionable...

For Huddersfield, they're around the 6/1 mark to win the league this season, which certainly feels a little fairer.

Plymouth Sit Top

Right now, Plymouth are the leading team in League One, but it feels a bit deceptive (in some ways). Now, I don't want to diminish their performances this season; they've got a very strong record. However, they've played at least a game more than anyone inside the top 10.

In other words, they're fairly vulnerable. Almost every team from eighth and above can overtake them with their games in hand and that creates a few questions about their price. They're 7/1 with William Hill, for example, and that feels like a bit of an overreaction.

Bradford's New Era

This week saw Bradford City appoint Michael Duff after the departure of Graham Alexander to Preston North End, starting a new era at the club. It's a difficult one, too. On paper, it's a smart appointment, but it's how the team transitions.

Right now, they're second in League One and the 9/1 - offered by the best football bookmakers - feels a bit harsh on face value. However, it feels like a bigger gamble than several others in the picture. A draw against Leyton Orient this weekend isn't an awful result, far from it.

Nevertheless, I'd not be rushing to back them. It feels like a much bigger gamble than what the price would suggest it to be...

Leicester and Luton Still Baffle

Moving on to the top six picture, there are two places to start really and that's Luton and Leicester. Now, it's strange to cover both in the same section. However, they're the same in many ways, which is why I'm doing it this way.

Starting with the Foxes, they're in real trouble. Russell Martin isn't a popular figure at the King Power and it's understandable why. His team are showing no signs of any consistency and a loss to a struggling Peterborough side this weekend proved that they're in a problematic position.

Despite this, they're 6/5 to get into the play-offs this season. With two games in hand, they could get into the top six if they win both. However, I'd have little faith in that happening, oh and they'd have to see no one else in the division win their games.

Luton are a little better off, but you'd hardly be encouraged. Winning two of their last five League One games - in fairness, including this weekend's 4-1 win against Wycombe - they're again far too inconsistent to challenge currently.

Games in hand against Huddersfield Town and Doncaster don't exactly fill you with confidence of a push up the division, either. Conceding in seven of their eight games so far this season, if they can sort themselves a little bit, things may get better.

As it stands, though, I'd not be taking any of the 7/5 available for them to get into the play-offs.

Two poor prices.

General Picture

Given how many teams were covered in the title section, there's obviously going to be a lower amount discussed here. Nevertheless, there are still a few teams of interest in the play-off race.

In our last Odds Watch, I mentioned Reading and I'm going to do so again. They've now been backed into 11/10 from 2/1 and it'd be a surprise if they didn't keep shortening. The highest scorers in the league, they're unbeaten in their last four and a 5-1 win against MK Dons is a superb result.

Then, we've got Cambridge. After their promotion from League Two, they've stood out, only losing once - to Huddersfield Town - and I think they'll continue to do so. They're a team of fine margins, scoring 14 and conceding 11 so far this season, but if they can expand on them, they could shoot up.

Backable at 7/2 with Bet365 for a play-off place, it's worth considering, definitely.

Wigan in Huge Trouble

At the bottom of League One, you're drawn to Wigan and that's unlikely to change any time soon. They've lost three of their last four games and the only 'excusable' one would be a loss to Stockport County.

Barring that, it's been defeats to lesser teams and with only four points on the board, they're in substantial danger of heading to League Two. With only five goals scored so far this season, it's unlikely to get any better.

Somehow they're 17/11 to go down, though.

Fancy Winning MK Dons?

If your eyes weren't drawn to Wigan, they were drawn to MK Dons, who have not won a game in League One yet. The fact that their last league victory came in April speaks for itself and they're not looking like a likely candidate to stay up this season.

With two games in hand and two points to catch up, they're not completely out of it. However, that doesn't solve their issue. They need to start winning games - if not just win a game - until then, they will be subjected to questions. I can only see the 11/2 for them to go down dropping...

Notts County Form Flips

At the start of the season, Notts County were looking pretty solid, going unbeaten in their first five. However, League One can be very cruel and three defeats on the bounce have them sitting in 22nd. It's a bit harsh, though, as is the 15/8 price for their relegation.

In their opening eight, they've faced four of the current top eight and Leicester and Luton. So, it's really not that bad of a start. With a much easier run of games until Christmas, maybe they're not in danger. That said, their form needs to flip back.

Bromley Remain Favourites

Despite sitting fourth from bottom, Bromley remain the favourites to head back to League Two this season. It's not really a major surprise. However, they're maybe a little harshly priced. They beat Huddersfield Town before the break and if they can pick up some other big results, they'll be fine.

Saying that, their goal difference must start to be improved. At -11, they're in a difficult position already; it must start improving.

The Bs in Trouble?

Finally, I wanted to look at Blackpool and Barnsley.

Starting with the Tangerines, they've lost four of their last five games - this weekend's defeat actually helped us secure a 27/1 winning acca - and it seems like they're only heading in one direction currently. Yet, the bookmakers still price them at 14/5 to go down, it feels a little big compared to others.

Then, Barnsley could be heading to League Two, their struggles have been well discussed in recent years and it's no different this season. Losing three of their last four, they're showing signs that their League One stay could end this season. At 13/5 to be relegated currently, I'd be keeping an eye on them and that price...