The list of teams readying themselves for the new 2026/27 EFL League One campaign features an eclectic mix of fallen giants, lower-league regulars and ambitious newcomers this year.
This is a division with an unpredictable nature at the best of times and while bigger names like Leicester, Sheffield Wednesday and Luton Town have dominated the early League One outright market movements, things are unlikely to go perfectly to script in England’s third tier over the next ten months.
Last term, Lincoln City upset the odds to win the League One title outright with a mammoth 103 points ahead of favourites Cardiff, and a clutch of unfancied sides will be eager to emulate the Imps in 2026/27.
The new season kicks off on Saturday, August 15th and ahead of this weekend’s opening salvo, we’ve put together some early League One outright predictions using the latest odds from LiveScoreBet.
League One Outright Winner 2026/27
Current Odds:
Leicester - 9/4
Sheffield Wednesday - 6/1
Luton Town - 7/1
Plymouth Argyle - 11/1
Huddersfield Town - 14/1
*Odds taken from LiveScoreBet correct at the time of writing
Leicester – Worthy Favourites (9/4)
Premier League champions 10 years ago, Leicester are reeling following back-to-back relegations, though this season looks like a major opportunity for a positive reset.
New manager Russell Martin struggled at Rangers, however, he had more luck with Southampton before that, guiding the Saints to Premier League promotion and his new Leicester charges showed promise under his instruction in pre-season, winning four and losing only one of their six friendlies.
The summer window signings of Connor Chaplin and Wes Burns from Ipswich along with Tommy Watson from Brighton (loan) were head-turners, and with the likes of Luke Thomas, Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Stephy Mavididi and Oliver Skipp all still on board, this Foxes squad looks too good for the third tier.
Not everything is picture perfect and there might be a couple of bumps in the road to begin with, however, Leicester’s EFL Cup win over Northampton (1-0) was achieved with 77% possession, and they should dominate the ball in most of their League One fixtures in similar style under Martin. Expect the Foxes to be there or thereabouts.
Back Leicester to win 2026/27 League One outright with LiveScoreBet
Sheffield Wednesday – A team to avoid? (6/1)
Sheff Weds finally look ready to shake their “crisis club” tag following their relegation from the Championship, emergence from administration and subsequent change of ownership, however, despite decent backing in the markets, they might not be ready for an instant rebound.
The playing staff at Hillsborough has undergone a major overhaul over the summer, with close to 20 players either coming or going through the revolving door. Among the more notable arrivals are Owls legend Barry Bannan, who is back from Millwall, while Billy Mitchell arrives with the veteran from the same club.
Louie Barry, who scored plenty across two loan spells with Stockport in League One, is also an interesting addition in attack. However, the level of change to Wednesday’s squad is bound to come with complications and should test Henrik Pedersen’s man management. It could be a case of a slow start followed by a strong finish while chemistry develops.
It must also be said that the Dane isn’t exactly Mr. Popular after the Owls’ disastrous year. Pedersen has a win rate of just 5.9% over the last 12 months and he will be under pressure to perform from the off this month. Wednesday are second-favourites in the outright markets, though a solid playoff push feels a more realistic target.
Back Sheffield Wednesday to win 2026/27 League One outright with LiveScoreBet
Bradford City – Dark Horses (20/1)
Bradford finished fourth last season with 77 points but came unstuck against Bolton in the playoff semi-final. They failed to turn up in either leg and suffered back-to-back 1-0 defeats against a Wanderers outfit that eventually earned promotion.
Driven on by that heartache, Bradford could go one better in 2026/2027, especially with promotion specialist Graham Alexander still at the helm. The Coventry-born boss got Fleetwood and Salford up the divisions earlier in his career, before taking Bradford into League One in 2025, so he knows how to navigate these kinds of waters.
The Bantams’ summer business has also looked useful, with Adam Phillips, who hit double-figure goals in each of his last four years with Barnsley, an eye-catching arrival. Defender Macaulay Gillesphey, who was a regular for Charlton in the Championship last season, adds quality and experience at the back.
They’ll mix Max Power’s aggression (but not his 14 yellow cards) with the enforcer now patrolling Wigan’s midfield, though Bradford have kept hold of their other assets and could make a proper push for automatic promotion.
City are priced at a meaty 20/1 to land the League One title, which offers plenty of value, especially with LiveScoreBet paying out each way on outright markets for up to three places.
Back Bradford to win 2026/27 League One outright with LiveScoreBet
Other contenders
Luton Town - 7/1 – The Hatters finished just outside the playoff spots last term, though they could go better in 2026/27 under Jack Wilshere. Promising young forwards Callum Marshall (West Ham), Gideon Kodua (West Ham) and experienced defender George Johnson (Bolton) have arrived, while Kasey Palmer (Hull City) could be a wildcard addition as an attacking midfielder if he settles well. A title tilt feels unlikely, however, a playoff berth should be the target.
Plymouth Argyle - 11/1 - Winners of the 2023 League One title, Argyle finished 8th last season with 30 points fewer than the eventual champions, Lincoln. They lost 17 games in total, which is more than any other side in the top ten, though they did finish the campaign well under Tom Cleverley. The loss of 21-goal Lorent Tolaj to Bristol City was a blow, though the acquisition of Will Evans, who scored 25 times over two years for Mansfield, should help to fill the void up top. The Pilgrims will be chasing the playoffs again.
Huddersfield Town - 14/1 – The Terriers landed in 9th spot last season and have chosen to keep faith with manager Martin Drury, who takes his first permanent gig in professional football. The markets like Town’s prospects, but I just don’t see it. Derensili Sanches Fernandes and Ilias Bronkhorst, who both arrived from Dutch club Excelsior, could be interesting additions, though it remains to be seen how they will fit into Drury’s back-three system. Another mid-table finish looks likely for Huddersfield.
