Latest League One Odds: Three-Team Title Race

The festive period has been hectic as always, and it has meant that a lot of action has taken place in League One. As a result, several teams may have moved in the table, where you may not have expected them to.

Title for Three?

We start at the top, where Cardiff are still in a position of real strength in the League One title race. In fact, they lead by three points and even have a game in hand over their competitors; they could further establish themselves as the favourites by winning that, if they even need to. 

At the weekend, the Bluebirds got past a mediocre Wigan side, and even if only by a goal to nil, it means they have ended the festive period without losing a game. 

As already mentioned, they have a lead of three points already, and that may only be extended as we enter the second half of the season. It is no surprise that they are the favourites for the title at 8/11. 

They are not that alone at the top, though, and there are two contenders for the top spot. Firstly is Lincoln City and then it's Bradford City behind them, but it may not be the case for long. 

Starting with the Imps, they have been on a frankly ridiculous run in the past few months, with their last defeat coming at the end of November against Wycombe. Since then, they have recorded six wins in the league, only drawing twice. 

Right now, they sit two points off the top, and whilst the game in hand could affect things, they are certainly still in the conversation. 

Speaking of games in hand, Bradford City could also benefit from this situation, given that they have only played 24 games. The Bantams, should they win that, would go to second, and whilst it would only be by a point, it would still be an automatic promotion spot. 

Admittedly, their form has been slightly more up and down than the Imps’, but they remain a strong contender, certainly. 

Looking Vulnerable

The play-off picture is as tense as it has ever been, and the Christmas break has only made that clearer. Several teams have games in hand, as well, so it may get even closer than it is currently. 

Huddersfield sit at the top of the pack, after a bit of a surge through the Christmas games. However, they sit seven points away from their West Yorkshire rivals, so they will not be too impressed with their position.

That feeling will only be boosted thanks to their draw against Exeter at the weekend. The Terriers took the lead twice, but failed to hold out and it has left a sour taste in the mouth, even if Spreadex now have them at 19/20 for a top six spot. 

Sitting behind them is Bolton Wanderers, who have hit a real rough patch in recent weeks. In fact, they are probably the biggest victims of the festive period inside the top group. They have only one once in their last five games. 

Draws in their last two, including one against strugglers Northampton this weekend, is not great and they are vulnerable to dropping. However, they can take something from the fact that they have a game in hand on the Terriers.

A lot of the same could be said about Stockport County, who similarly struggled through the festive period. Although they picked up two wins in their last five games, they lost twice as well, so it was not a strong few weeks.

Nevertheless, they are level on points with Bolton and Huddersfield, and like the former, they have a game in hand, so they can create an advantage.

The final team of note is Stevenage, who sit seventh in the table, two points off of fourth. However, they have two games in hand, which could lift them up to 43 points. They have three wins and a loss in their last five games and have definitely struggled. 

However, they are still very much in the conversation, and the odds are quite nice, too. In fact, they are 15/8 with Bet365 for a spot in the top six, so it could be worth a look.

Several at Risk

Finally, it is time to look at the bottom, and things have certainly changed a little bit. 

Port Vale sit at the bottom of the league; however, things may start to change for them. Despite their game this weekend being postponed, they hammered Blackpool 5-1 after the sacking of Darren Moore, so they could start to fight towards safety. It will be tough, but it is not impossible. 

Doncaster, who at one point were fighting for a play-off spot, have quickly succumbed to League One and now join the Valiants at the bottom of the table. Four defeats in their last five games tell a tale of struggle, and they look pretty doomed, in my eyes. But the odds do not echo my fears, given they are 11/10 to go down at the moment with William Hill.

Rotherham are the next team facing the drop currently, and they are staring at it without doing much. The Millers are winless in nine games, losing their last six League One games, which has created some real worry about their situation. It is certainly difficult to see them getting safety. 

Taking the last spot in the bottom four is Burton, who have also faced a few difficulties recently. Having lost their last three games on the bounce, they are in real danger of the drop. 

With that said, they sit on 27 points, and with only three points separating them from 14th-placed Exeter, they are not relegated just yet.