League 2 Betting Odds: Winners, Top Six, Relegation, Top Scorers, Promotion

League 2 Winner Odds, Top Six, Relegation, Top Scorers

With the promotion of Wrexham and Notts County after a record-breaking National League season, League 2 looks stronger than ever. Add Gillingham and Salford, who are well backed financially, Stockport and Mk Dons and sleeping giants Bradford, predicting League 2 will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

In the same week my bettingexpert League 1 ante-post betting preview went live, here’s a deep dive into League 2, the fourth tier. Elsewhere on the site, Jack Wright has served up his impressive ante-post take on the Championship in 2023/24.

In this article:

• Winner Odds: The battle of the celebrity-status owners
• Top Seven Odds: Mariners to sail to the playoffs?
• Promotion Odds: Stockport to continue rise
• Top Scorer Odds: Swan to fly to top scorer
• Biggest Longshot Value Odds: Wimbledon serving a goalscorer
• Relegation Odds- Crawley to tumble down the leagues

League 2 Winner Odds: The battle of the celebrity-status owners

League 2 looks very strong this year. Sides such as Wrexham, Notts County, Stockport, MK Dons, Doncaster, Gillingham, Bradford, Salford, and Mansfield, to name a few, will all fancy their chances of promotion.

Wrexham (4.33) is the bookies’ favourite to win the title, with the Red Dragon’s 111-point tally a National League record. Phil Parkinson’s side looks well versed for a title charge, with a plethora of EFL experience, goals from Paul Mullin, and an increased set-piece threat thanks to the signing of Will Boyle. However, it is another well-funded side that I feel will win the title.

Salford FC are owned by the class of ’92 and are often billed as title favourites, starting last season as 8/1 second favourites. However, The Ammies tend to buckle under pressure. However, they are priced as 16/1 sixth favourites, and I believe ‘the underdogs’ narrative will suit them.

The owners are often impatient with managers, chopping and changing the head coach after a dip in form. However, they seem to trust Neil Wood and have supported him well.

The experienced Curtis Tilt signs to play centre-back from Wigan, while former Everton left-back Luke Garbutt joins from Blackpool. The midfield has also been ameliorated with the signing of Ossama Ashley from Colchester. A midfield trio of Ashley, Elliott Watt, and Stephen Mallan will be the envy of the rest of the league.

Keen runner Callum Hendry, bustling target man Matt Smith, and the clinical Conor McAleny make up a potent attack.

While I feel Wrexham look strong, I feel Salford will push them the whole way, making the odds of 17.0 for The Ammies to win the title value.

• Selection: Salford to win the title
• Odds: 17.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 5/10

League 2 Winner Odds via bet365 as at 08:01, July 31st, 2023. Odds may now differ.

League 2 Top Seven Odds: Mariners to sail to the playoffs?

The 2022–23 season represented a comfortable return to the English Football League for Grimsby. An 11th-place finish and a FA Cup quarterfinal would have pleased boss Paul Hurst, who will be looking to go one further this year.

The Mariners have overseen a massive squad rebuild, selling nine players and signing 10. Hurst won’t be too disheartened with most of the sales, with the majority being bit-part players.

The main concern for many at Blundell Park is the lack of a goalscorer, with Harry Clifton topping the scoring charts with seven goals. However, a lot of similarities can be drawn between this team and Steve Evans’ Stevenage. A side full of hard-working players, all capable of contributing in the goal department.

Versatile defenders Toby Mullarkey and Harvey Rodgers sign for the Mariners, improving an already solid defence. 20-year-old Kamil Conteh is a real coup and an indication of the club’s ambition. Conteh has signed from Middlesbrough after a terrific loan spell at Gateshead and is an all-action midfielder capable of making things happen on his own.

Abo Eisa, Charles Vernam, Danny Rose, Donovan Wilson, and Rekeil Pyke are all solid additions in attack, with the quintet epitomising typical Paul Hurst players.

While other League 2 teams boast bigger names on paper, Grimsby is a well-drilled team that will fancy their chances of sneaking into the play-off fold.

• Selection: Grimsby to finish in the top 7
• Odds: 4.50
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 5/10

League 2 Top Seven Odds via bet365 as at July 31st, 2023.. Odds may now differ.

League 2 Promotion Odds: Stockport to continue rise

With four promotion slots up for grabs, a host of teams will be fancying their chances, making for fascinating viewing. David Challinor’s Stockport hopes to make it three promotions in six years.

Despite it being their first season in League 2 for 12 years, Stockport went into the 2022–23 season as 7/1 favourites. A stuttering start made life difficult for Challinor. Still, a tremendous second half of the season saw them miss out on automatic promotion on the final day before a heart-wrenching play-off final defeat to Carlisle.

Stockport are well reinforced financially, and their squad is looking even stronger this season. Ibou Touray joins from local rivals Salford, with the 28-year-old capable of playing at left-back and slotting in at centre-back in a back three.

The signing of Nick Powell is a serious statement, with the ex-Crewe starlet dropping down two leagues to sign for the Hatters. If Challinor can keep the 29-year-old fit, he has the best attacking midfielder in the league at his disposal. He will join the goalscoring, box-to-box Will Collar in midfield.

Up front, Kyle Wootton hit 14 goals in his debut season, while Paddy Madden rolled back the years with 10. Isaac Olaofe had a slightly disappointing season, only scoring three goals, but the 23-year-old showed glimpses of ability and will be hoping to demonstrate his undoubted ability this season.

Stockport were seven points clear in the form table from October 1st, showcasing their talent. Start the season better this time around, and The Hatters will be right in the mix.

• Selection: Stockport to get promoted
• Odds: 2.37
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

League 2 Promotion Odds via bet365 as at July 31st, 2023.. Odds may now differ.

League 2 Top Scorer Odds: Swan to fly to top scorer

League 2 is blessed with an abundance of talented goal scorers. Macaulay Langstaff (6/1), Paul Mullin (10/1), David McGoldrick (10/1), and Andy Cook (12/1) lead the markets. However, a slightly chunkier price catches my eye.

Will Swan enjoyed a fruitful loan spell at Mansfield, with the Nottingham Forest loanee notching ten goals in 28 games (12 starts). Now back permanently, Swann will be hoping for regular game time in a strong Mansfield side.

His 0.67 goals and 0.51 XG per 90 ranked him in the 98th percentile for these metrics. The Stags were the joint top scorers with 72 goals, so they have a myriad of firepower and creativity. The One Call Stadium was a happy hunting ground for Swan, who scored 1.28 goals per 90 minutes at home.

The 22-year-old is not afraid to shoot, averaging 2.82 shots per 90 and 1.48 shots on target, again ranking him amongst the very best in League 2. Swan is a natural-born poacher and excels at peeling off the shoulder of a defender. The creativity of livewire Lucas Akins also sees Swan presented with scoring chances.

With the punctured lung suffered in preseason for Paul Mullin and the likelihood of Macauley Langstaff and David Mcgoldrick sharing the goals between them, Swan will fancy his chances of leading the scoring charts.

• Selection: Will Swan Top Scorer
• Odds: 26.00
• Bookmaker: BetVictor
• Stakes: 5/10

League 2 Top Scorer Odds via Betvictor as at July 31st, 2023.. Odds may now differ.

League Biggest Longshot Value Odds: Wimbledon serving a goalscorer

AFC Wimbledon suffered a disappointing first season back in League 2 after relegation in the 2021/22 season, finishing in 21st, five points clear of relegation.

One bright spark was the emergence of Iraqi forward Ali Al-Hamadi. Signed in January, the 21-year-old joined in the worst period of The Dons season, with Jonnie Jackson’s side winning only two games in 2023. Despite this, Al-Hamadi managed to score ten goals in 15 starts.

This season should be comfortable, with The Dons strengthening this window. Ryan Johnson and Joe Lewis improve the defence, while Jake Reeves, Armani Little, and James Ball strengthen the midfield. Going forward, James Tilley, Josh Neufville, and Ryan Mclean add pace, creativity, and guile to the attack.

However, it is the signing of Omar Bugiel that I like the most. The Lebanese international is as selfless as they get, bringing others into the game with his exceptional hold-up play. The 6’1 striker will link up perfectly with Al-Hamadi and should afford the Iraqi plenty of chances.

While AFC Wimbledon probably won’t challenge for the top of the table, they will undoubtedly fare better this campaign. An average of 27 goals per season was required for the top goalscorer crown over the past five seasons. Al-Hamadi’s ten goals in 15 starts put him at a rate of scoring roughly 30 goals in a season. At a price of 34.0, I believe Al-Hamadi is worth an each-way bet to be the top scorer.

• Selection: Ali Al-Hamadi top scorer
• Odds: 34.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 4/10 (2 EW)

League 2 Biggest Longshot Value Odds via bet365 as at July 31st, 2023.. Odds may now differ.

League 2 Relegation Odds- Crawley to tumble down the leagues

Crypto gurus WAGMI’S failed experiment in charge of Crawley Town has been a disaster thus far, and things look to be going from bad to worse.

Some of the off-field decision-making has been baffling, with a number of key players departing for league rivals and replaced by non-league players. For a side that was languishing perilously close to the drop zone last campaign, their recruitment has left them weaker this time around—worrying time for Crawley Town fans.

Jack Powell departs for Crewe following his nine-goal contributions from midfield, earning him the Red Devils’ Player of the Season award. Ashley Nadesean is a quick and hard-working striker who bagged seven goals last season and now departs for Gillingham. Despite seven goal contributions in 16 games, attacker Aramide Oteh has been allowed to join Walsall, while quick winger James Tilley joins rivals AFC Wimbledon.

The incomings have flattered to deceive. Joy Mukena, Harry Forster, Jay Williams, Klaidi Lolos, and Ade Adeyemo all signed from non-league teams. Of course, there is an abundance of talent to be found in non-league, but to sign five in one window and expect them to drag you out of a relegation battle is a big ask.

Elsewhere, Ronan Darcy signs after struggling at Swindon, while goalkeeper Luca-Ashby Hammond joins on loan after an error-ridden loan spell at Aldershot. Liam Kelly did in a relegated Rochdale side, and Danilo Orsi found game time hard to come by at Grimsby.

There are smatterings of talent in the Crawley squad, with Dion Conroy, Ben Gladwin, and, most notably, Dom Telford good enough to drag teams out of trouble. However, I feel Scott Lindsey has too big a job on his hands, and it seems inevitable that Crawley will be relegated to the National League.

• Selection: Crawley to be relegated
• Odds: 4.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stakes: 10/10

League 2 Relegation Odds via bet365 as at July 31st, 2023.. Odds may now differ.

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