FST’s outright predictions season continues with our next EFL edition as we look into the prospects in League One next term.

The threat of point deductions mean the relegation picture is murky at best but there is plenty of interest at the top of the table, with favourites Derby closely followed by a host of potential winners.

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League One 2023/24 winner odds

• Derby – 9/2
• Bolton – 7/1
• Barnsley – 8/1
• Peterborough – 10/1
• Portsmouth – 10/1
• Reading – 12/1
• Blackpool – 14/1
• Charlton – 16/1
• Oxford United – 16/1

League One outright predictions & tips

Portsmouth to win League One (eachway) at 10/1

The spectre of points deductions is casting a shadow over League One before the 2023-24 season has started but to the best of our knowledge shouldn’t impact on Portsmouth, who look well worth backing for the title.

Pompey made it six straight top-ten finishes in May when they ended up in eighth and that level of consistency should ensure they challenge again.

One of seven ex-Premier League clubs in tier three, Portsmouth are eager to get back up the pyramid and the disappearance of class acts Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday in the summer will certainly have helped their cause.

So too has the eight-point deduction copped by Wigan while Reading are also threatened with a six-point hit. And that could just be the start of it.

Portsmouth signed off 2022-23 in style. The Danny Cowley reign had gone stale and the punt they took on John Mousinho, not universally acclaimed at the time around Fratton Park, has looked inspired.

They signed off last term unbeaten in 11 and had they managed to turn a trio of seven draws into victories they could have nipped into the playoffs.

Sporting director Richard Hughes and Mousinho have overseen a massive summer buying spree which, on top of the nuts and bolts of a high-class squad featuring aces of the calibre of Marlon Pack, Joe Morrell and 20-goal Colby Bishop, augurs well for a decent campaign.

Barnsley to be promoted at 7/4

By some distance the best three teams went up last season and it’s also hard to foresee the teams who stayed on their coat-tails – the likes of Barnsley, Bolton, Peterborough and Derby – also sniffing around the top six once again.

Reading, in theory, ought to be challengers but they have started the summer under a transfer embargo and have a point deduction hanging over their heads on top of the six they swallowed last season.

These are troubled times in Berkshire and either way the Royals are easily swerved. The same goes for Wigan, cut adrift from the off.

Of the bigger-priced teams, Charlton have landed a coup in signing the prolific Alfie May from Cheltenham and the Addicks did finish tenth last season, albeit miles away from the top six.

There still looks a huge jump between the likes of Charlton, Lincoln and Shrewsbury to clubs of the calibre of Barnsley, Bolton and Derby with the Tykes, seemingly dripping in cash, set to improve again.

They’ve raked in millions from the sale of Mads Andersen to Luton and in compensation from Michael Duff’s move to Swansea, so new boss Neill Collins is well-armed for a pre-season splurge.

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More betting news:

FST’s 2023/24 outright predictions hub

Premier League 2023/24: Key fixtures & 30/1 opening day acca!

When does club football return?

Betting Academy: See our complete guide to football betting

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