2024-25 League Two season prediction: Betting tips for top-three finish, relegation and top goalscorer
Racing Post EFL expert Aaron Ashley takes a look at the state of play in League Two – including a 33-1 top goalscorer tip
2024-25 League Two best bets
Salford top-three finish
1pt 15-2 Betfair, Paddy Power
Accrington to be relegated
1pt 6-1 Betfair, Paddy Power
Cole Stockton top goalscorer
0.5pt each-way 33-1 bet365
2024-25 League Two top-three finish predictions
Walsall have stolen an early march in the League Two table, building up a 12-point lead over Doncaster at the halfway stage, but there is room for plenty to change in the basement of the EFL.
The Saddlers are unbeaten in 14, taking their winning run to seven with a come-from-behind 2-1 success at Notts County on New Year’s Day, and the league’s highest scorers are 2-5 to convert their promising start into silverware.
However, this is often considered to be the most competitive division in the Football League with plenty of factors behind a potential slump and there are a host of challengers waiting to capitalise.
Eight of Walsall’s 16 wins this season have been by a single goal and leading scorer Nathan Lowe, who is on loan from Stoke, has been catching the attention of clubs in higher divisions after scoring 14 goals in 21 starts.
Lowe would be tough to replace and, while Walsall could still prove tough to catch, it's surging Salford who represent the best value in the top-three finish market.
The Ammies are enjoying their best run since being promoted to League Two in 2018–19, rising to third in the table with a fifth straight win to nil at Harrogate on New Year’s Day.
Karl Robinson’s side have suffered only three defeats in 15 games since the beginning of October and they may finally have found the right blend of youth and experience in the squad.
Chasing Walsall down looks a tough task but Doncaster, Crewe and Port Vale are all starting to show vulnerability which means Salford, who have the second-best defensive record in the league with only 19 goals conceded in 23 games, have serious promotion prospects.
League Two relegation predictions
With only two spots up for grabs, League Two relegation is always a trappy betting heat and Morecambe and Harrogate are already odds-on for the drop.
Morecambe are second from bottom and facing significant financial difficulties, while Harrogate are only two points better off and on a winless run of seven.
But both are short enough in a market where at least seven sides are still in the running, including bottom club Carlisle, who are still four points adrift of safety having won only four of their opening 23 games.
The Cumbrians' performances are improving, on shot data at least, and in Mike Williamson they have a manager who should soon get things right at Brunton Park.
Swindon are finding some form and Tranmere’s home performances should save them, so perhaps the value lies with ailing Accrington.
Stanley, who are two points clear of the relegation places, have won only one of their last eight league games and they have some tricky tests coming up, facing six of the current top ten in their next nine fixtures. The pressure could soon start to mount.
League Two top goalscorer predictions
There are plenty in the running to be crowned top goalscorer in League Two, with Walsall’s on-loan forward Lowe leading the way with 14 goals, two ahead of four pursuers.
Lowe could be recalled and loaned out at a higher level, which makes him a vulnerable favourite, while Notts County’s Alassana Jatta represents Gambia and is likely to miss games in the March international break.
Bradford’s Andy Cook limped off with what looked to be a serious knee injury against Barrow on New Year’s Day so a more interesting each-way play at bigger odds could be Salford’s Cole Stockton.
Stockton netted 23 goals in 44 appearances for Morecambe in 2021–22 and he has been rejuvenated by a move to Salford, scoring seven goals in his last nine starts.
The 30-year-old looks key to Salford’s promotion hopes as their first-choice striker and his seven goals have come from only 19 league games, so he could soon eat into Lowe's lead, or at least fill one of the four each-way places.
More EFL season predictions . . .
Dan Childs's best bets for the rest of the 2024-25 Championship season
Aaron Ashley's best bets for the rest of the 2024-25 League One season
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