Regional Winner Prediction: Ante-Post Outright Preview

Just as we did in our Season Match Bet Ante-Post Outright Preview, Matthew O’Regan and Josh Ingram are going back-to-back again to preview their best Regional Winner prediction selections for the upcoming season.

Matthew O’Regan is up first, giving his three best Regional Winner prediction selections all from the EFL. Defeated playoff finalists Bolton must navigate through a tough region containing two rivals and a recently promoted team. Recently relegated Luton faces bitter rivals Watford, a resurgent QPR and a steady Millwall. Finally, Chesterfield, Notts County and Port Vale do battle in a tight looking midlands region.

• League One Top North West Club Tip 1: Luton
• Championship Top South East Club Tip 2: Bolton
• League Two Top Midlands Club Tip 3: Port Vale

Next up, Josh takes on a duel down south in the Premier League, before a Steve Evans-led Rotherham side pips Huddersfield in League One. To round off proceedings, perhaps we should hang our hat on Mike Williamson?

• Premier League Top Southern Club Tip 1: Bournemouth
• League One Top Yorkshire Club Tip 2: Rotherham
• League Two Top South East Club Tip 3: MK Dons

Championship Top South East Club: Hatters Hungry for promotion

England, League One , Friday, August 9th, 20:00 (UK)

When Luton got promoted to the Premier League, a lot of their signings were made with the Championship in mind. Instead of splashing out on players from abroad who may jump at the first available chance, they signed top-end Championship players who are there for the project and are well-versed to fire Luton back to the Premier League at the first time of asking. 

As a result, only Ross Barkley (Aston Villa) and Gabriel Osho (Auxerre) have departed the club with Reull Walters (Arsenal) and Shandon Baptiste (Brentford) joining. With the same manager and core as the promotion season, Luton have much needed stability – a luxury that is rare to find in a relegated team. 

Regional Winner Prediction: Wary of Watford? 

• Luton: 1.90
• Watford: 4.30
• QPR: 5.00
• Millwall: 6.50

In my ‘Season Match Bet’ article I spoke about my concern for Watford this season. Ismael Kone has departed, while key duo Wesley Hoedt and Yaser Asprilla look on the verge of departing. With financial difficulty rumoured coupled with poor recruitment in the last couple of years, Watford may be looking over their shoulders for the majority of the season.

QPR looked nailed on for relegation last season after a shambolic start to the season. However, after Hammarby manager Marti Cifuentes was the man chosen to take the helm at Loftus Road, Rangers survived comfortably finishing 18th. 

Their recruitment has been extremely savvy thus far, signing Zan Celar, Liam Morrison, Paul Nardi and Heverton from abroad, sticking to this brave approach that saw them land on the influential Cifuentes as manager. 

QPR should finish above last season’s final position and it won’t be a surprise to see them pushing for the top half. They have an abundance of attacking talent at their disposal. However, they are paying the price for a couple of poor windows and are in desperate need for more legs in midfield before they can even begin to think of a playoff push.  

The 2024/2025 season is set to be Millwall’s eighth straight season in the Championship after failing to reach the playoffs in any of these, finishing 13th last season. 

A lot of their season will hinge on the stats of Dutch midfielder Zian Flemming, with the 25-year-old linked with moves abroad. Millwall struggled in front of goal last season and seem to have arrested that issue with the signing of Macualey Langstaff, who has scored 71 goals over the past two seasons for Notts County. 

Lukas Jensen arrives in goal after a stellar campaign for Lincoln, while Japhet Tanganga signs on a permanent after a great loan spell in South-East London.

• Championship Top South East Club Prediction 1: Luton (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

League One Top North West Club: Trotting to promotion?

Bolton had a stellar campaign last year, finishing third in the league, missing out on automatic promotion by just five points. The Trotters then went onto lose the playoff final 0-2 to Oxford United, ensuring a fourth straight season in League 1. Ian Evatt is nearly five years into his project at the club and must sense promotion is only just around the corner. 

When building a promotion-chasing squad, it is important to maintain a core group of players, while bringing in the right signings to complement this. They beat off stiff competition from the Championship to sign Chris Forino on a free from Wycombe. The 24-year-old will add even more aerial ability to a tough backline containing Ricardo Santos and Eoin Toal. 

Scott Arfield brings much needed experience to the side- perhaps something Bolton were severely lacking last season. While Paris Maghoma has returned to parent club Brentford, the signing of Klaidi Lolos from Crawley replaces that star quality. 

Bolton has a strong defence, tenacious midfield and a potent attack, with Dion Charles and Aaron Collins, both 20-goal-a-season strikers. Bolton will be vying for promotion again, and it will take a top-quality side to get in their way. 

Stockport Leading the North West Competition

• Bolton: 2.20
• Stockport: 4.33
• Blackpool: 4.50
• Wigan: 5.00

Stockport is priced as second-favourites for this market. David Challinor’s side won the League 2 title last year despite strong pressure from Wrexham, and County have ambitions of getting promoted again. 

They’ve let nine first-teamers go in a brutal shake-up of the first-team squad. As always, Challinor has been backed in the transfer market, with a number of impressive signings – 11 to be precise. Stockport have all the tools to challenge near the top end of the table again but may fall short due to the step up in quality.

Blackpool finished ninth in League One as they looked to stabilise after a disappointing relegation the season before. This summer, they have opted for experience, with the signing of Lee Evans a stand-out. Jordan Rhodes and Hayden Coulson have also made their loans permanent. 

The Tangerines, like Stockport, will be there or thereabouts, but they perhaps lack the star quality that sides such as Rotherham, Birmingham, and Bolton have at their disposal. 

Wigan have endured a tumultuous couple of seasons off the pitch but are slowly stabilising on the pitch thanks to Shaun Maloney. Without a points deduction, Wigan would’ve finished tenth last season and will be looking to build on that this time around. 

Calvin Ramsey and Michael Olakigbe represent shrewd loan signings, while Tyrees Francois and Will Aimson are good pickups on a free. 

However, due to the unfortunate circumstances, things at Wigan are not yet back to normal, which may again affect their season on the pitch.

• League One Top North West Club Regional Winner Prediction Prediction 1: Bolton (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.20
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

League Two Top Midlands Club: Value on Vale

Port Vale suffered a disappointing relegation last season, with the mid-season appointment of Darren Moore unable to save them from crashing back to League 2. 

However, the Vale hierarchy have backed Moore and given a hefty transfer budget – one he is utilising very well so far. 

George Byers – who Moore worked with at Sheffield Wednesday- has signed on a free. On his day, he will be the best midfielder in the league, so Moore has to figure out the best way to play to his strengths. The signing of the industrial Ryan Croasdale is perfect for this, with the former Stockport midfielder a hard-working tenacious player who will allow Byers and the creative maestro Ben Garrity to flourish. 

Ronan Curtis has been signed on a free. The Irishman enjoyed a number of stellar years at Portsmouth in League 1 and looked a cut above the rest when playing for AFC Wimbledon last season. Up front, Lorent Tolaj has been signed from Aldershot after 19 goals in his debut campaign. Ruari Paton has also signed from Queens Park in Scotland for a significant fee after 22 goals in 43 games. Paton was touted for a bigger move so the fact Vale managed to attract him to the club is a real sign of their ambition. 

With more signings expected, Port Vale look real value to challenge towards the top end of the table as they chase an immediate return to League 1. 

Chesterfield heads the rest

• Chesterfield: 2.30
• Port Vale: 3.60
• Notts County: 3.75
• Walsall: 6.50

This regional market is perhaps the tightest of all markets, with four strong teams all competing. Chesterfield are priced as favourites for the league title, so in turn have automatically been priced as favourite for this market as they look to make it back-to-back promotions.

The Spireites were one of the strongest teams in National League history last year as they stormed to the title with 98 points. Paul Cook is a serial winner and proved this last campaign, and he will be hungry to repeat these heroics this season. 

Their recruitment has been a mix of experience – Chey Dunkley (32) and Paddy Madden (34) and youthfulness- Tim Akinola (23) and Lewis Gordon (23). 

Chesterfield have been signing players from up the league for the last few seasons, a recruitment strategy that has served them well and has them well prepared for League 2. However, the main concern with Paul Cook’s side comes defensively, with Chesterfield conceding 65 goals last season. Their defence has been weakened with the news that Laurence Maguire won’t sign permanently. 

The Spireites have a lot of work to do to fix their leaky defence and for that reason I don’t feel they justify their ‘favourites tag.’

Notts County are the prime example of how tough the transition from National League to League 2 can be. The Magpies were promoted in dramatic fashion from the playoffs after a historic title battle with Wrexham. 

While they started their return to League 2 well, they ultimately slipped down the table and finished 14th. The departure of much-adored manager Luke Williams was a major reason, with Stuart Maynard of Wealdstone hired as his replacement. However, the warning signs were there defensively, with County conceding 86 goals all season – the most in the league. 

Work has begun to address this, with Alex Bass, Jacob Bedau, Matty Platt, Nick Tsaroulla, Kellan Gordon and Rod McDonald brought in, while Kyle Cameron, Aden Baldwin, Richard Brindley, Geraldo Bajrami and Connell Rawlinson were allowed to leave. 

The defence has undergone much-needed change, but with so many new players to gel in, Notts may have to settle for another mid-table finish. The loss of goal machine Macauley Langstaff is also a huge blow. 

Walsall are now entering their sixth straight season in League 2, with last season’s 11th place finish their highest since relegation in 2019. The Saddlers are always loitering in the bottom half of the table, never really challenging the play offs but never in danger of relegation. Their summer business so far suggests more of the same for the West Midlands club. 

• League Two Top Midlands Club Prediction 3: Port Vale (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 3.60
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Regional Winners odds via bet365 as at 09:00, July 24th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Premier League Top Southern Club: Cherries to sneak above the Seagulls

Brighton are the favourites at 1.57 for the top southern team, and I can understand why they are. Their transfer business on paper looks very exciting, and a couple will hit the ground running for them such as Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh. 

A new boss in Fabian Hurzler at the helm who will test his hand at the Premier League, with the squad at his disposable could well do a good job, but after seeing what Andoni Iraola did in parts last year, it impressed me and at 2.62, I do think they can mount a challenge to get near Brighton. 

A Brighton surge down South?

• Brighton: 1.57
• Bournemouth: 2.62
• Southampton: 9.00

With every appointment, there is an unknown element to Hürzeler’s ability to manage in the top flight. The evidence of his short career suggests he should be able to do so, as he won the German second tier with St Pauli, and he’s done it while only managing 55 games in his fledgling career. So, Brighton will have an element of inexperience as a team this coming season with the 31-year-old in charge. 

Two clubs with ambitious owners and Bill Foley, Bournemouth owner, have taken inspiration from Brighton. In an interview last December, he said,  “I want Bournemouth to play in Europe – that’s our goal. It’s not going to be easy, but I’m confident we can get there. Brighton are a great inspiration; they do a terrific job. I certainly think we can be in Europe within five years.”

Now, I’m not sure either side will end up getting Europe this season, but both have a slim chance of sneaking one. I could see a possibility where Bournemouth pips in front of Brighton by a slim margin.

Bournemouth attained their best-ever finish last year of 48 points. One key area for improvement is their slow start last season, where they failed to win until the 10th game. With a full season for the players to adapt and another pre-season, they are likely to start on a better note with a full understanding of what Iraola wants from them. 

Dominic Solanke is the difference between the two. He showed how good he could be last year, and there is no reason for his level to drop. Another season of getting close to 20 goals should be the minimum for him. Brighton is a team that spread its goals out last year, with Joao Pedro top-scoring with nine. In this division, having a number nine who can get you 15-20 goals is massive, and the cherries have that. 

• Premier League Top Southern Club Prediction 4: Bournemouth (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.62
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 5/10

League One Top Yorkshire Club: Rotherham to be top of the pile in Yorkshire

Under the leadership of Steve Evans, Rotherham United is shaping up to be a formidable force. They have serious potential to battle it out for the second spot in the division, with Birmingham expected to dominate the league. Having nine promotions to your name is no mean feat and Steve Evans is coming back to Rotherham looking to emulate his Millers side who gained promotion via the playoffs back in 2014.

Terriers’ bite not so concerning

• Rotherham: 2.20
• Huddersfield: 2.75
• Barnsley: 3.75

Huddersfield will be the one in Yorkshire to push The Millers closest but will ultimately fall short. They have brought in real quality in midfield with the likes of Herbie Kane and Antony Evans. Rhys Healey, if he can stay fit, as he had problems previously, will be up there with Jonson Clarke-Harris in the scoring charts. I just think they are still short at the back compared to Rotherham, which ultimately might cost them.

I do think Barnsley will put up a decent showing. I see them being a bit off the two coming down from the Championship, more than likely fighting for the last playoff spot from an optimistic view.

Goals win games; Jonson Clarke-Harris is guaranteed goals at this level. He won the League One Golden Boot in 2020/21 and scored 26 in the 2022/23 season. He has 107 goals in this league across his career, putting him fourth all-time for this division. Steve Evans loves a big striker up top, and it would be a massive shock if he didn’t get him firing again after a poor season last year for his standards, albeit in and out of the team at Posh. 

The volume of ins and outs at Rotherham United may not be surprising, but it certainly is cause for optimism. The team needed fresh faces, and with 12 signings, they have certainly achieved that. A right back on a free from league winner Portsmouth, Joe Rafferty has the technical ability to excel in this division, as shown last year. The signings of Liam Kelly and Alex Macdonald are perfect for Steve Evans’s side, adding two lads who will be the standard bearers for the others.

• League One Top Yorkshire Club Regional Winner Prediction 5: Rotherham (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.20
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

League Two Top South East Club: MK Dons to push on from Playoff disaster

Realistically, the fight for the Top South East club is only between MK Dons and Gillingham. The other clubs involved look a bit short compared to the two aforementioned clubs. Both should be right in the mix for the automatics, and winning the league is a direct possibility for either. 

Neck and neck for South East crown

• MK Dons: 2.50
• Gillingham: 2.50
• AFC Wimbledon: 6.00
• Colchester: 9.00
• Bromley: 17.00

No matter how well Mike Williamson’s side played last season, the lasting expression of that particular iteration of his side will be known for the absolute demolition Crawley Town gave them with an 8-1 aggregate win in the playoff semi-finals. What should be remembered is how well he had his side playing, and with the teams who went up, the Dons will be one of the best forward-thinking sides left in the division. 

The problem for Williamson was having to replace starman Max Dean’s 20 combined goals and assists due to him leaving for Kaa Gent. They have done this by signing a combination of forward players to cover the numbers, as it’s hard to replace what Dean bought at the side on a like-for-like basis. 

Signing Callum Hendry from Salford looks like sensible business, a frontman who is aggressive and very technically able and produced nine goals and one assist last year. Tommy Leigh joins from Accrington, where he played 39 times and had a respectable 13 goals and assists. He is likely to play as a second striker in Williamson’s system. Adding a different option, I wouldn’t be shocked if he plays a significant role in the coming season.

After an extremely underwhelming year, finishing mid-table with multiple managers, Gillingham has opted for Mark Bonner, the ex-Cambridge United manager, who did a very impressive job with them. Gills were the second-lowest scorers in the division last year, only scoring two more than basement boys Forest Green, so an injection of goals was needed.

Elliot Nevitt is hoping to be Gillingham’s answer. The former Crewe Alexandra man had 16 goals last year, which was the polar opposite of his 22/23 season, where he failed to hit the net; Bonner is hoping it wasn’t a fluke for his new striker. Signing from Accrington Stanley Jack Nolan is smart business getting him after his breakout year of 17 goals and eight assists in 45 league Two appearances.

MK Dons have a slightly better chance because they have a man who has already been able to implement his style on his team throughout the season since his October appointment. Also, the signings made by MK Dons are of good quality, adding to an already playoff standard squad. It would be no great shock for both to be well in the mix come the end of the season.

• League Two Top Yorkshire Club Prediction 6: MK Dons (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

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