League One
EFL League 1 Betting Guide: Tips, Fixtures, and Predictions
While we wait for the Premier League to hit our screens once again, the exhilarating EFL League 1 kicks off this weekend. With this in mind, we have provided all you need to know about the upcoming season to gain an edge with your bets.
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What is the EFL League 1?
The EFL League 1 competition is the third tier of English football and, unlike the Premier League, includes 24 teams rather than 20.
Key Facts and Rules of the EFL League 1
Where and when is the English League 1
The first fixtures of the EFL League 1 season begin this weekend and run all the way until late May when the campaign-defining play-off final takes place at Wembley Stadium.
Criteria and format of the English League 1
Each season, the top two teams from League 1 are automatically promoted to the Championship with the four teams in behind entering the play-offs, a set of games that determines the third, and final, promoted side.
At the other end of the table, four teams are automatically relegated from the division each year while four teams from League 2 are promoted for the following season.
Important facts and rules to know about EFL League 1
As well as the domestic campaign for each team, they can also have cup games in the Carabao Cup, FA Cup, and EFL Trophy. The FA Cup and Carabao Cup is a place where League 1 teams can clash with Premier League squads.
Bet on EFL League 1 2023/2024 at William Hill
Teams in EFL League 1: 2023/24
| Number | Team |
|---|---|
| 1 | Barnsley |
| 2 | Birmingham City |
| 3 | Blackpool |
| 4 | Bolton Wanderers |
| 5 | Bristol Rovers |
| 6 | Burton Albion |
| 7 | Cambridge United |
| 8 | Charlton Athletic |
| 9 | Crawley Town |
| 10 | Exeter City |
| 11 | Huddersfield Town |
| 12 | Leyton Orient |
| 13 | Lincoln City |
| 14 | Mansfield Town |
| 15 | Northampton Town |
| 16 | Peterborough United |
| 17 | Reading |
| 18 | Rotherham United |
| 19 | Shrewsbury Town |
| 20 | Stevenage |
| 21 | Stockport County |
| 22 | Wigan Athletic |
| 23 | Wrexham |
| 24 | Wycombe Wanderers |
Top Teams and Players in the English League 1
One team to look out for this season is Peterborough who, for the second season running, were unlucky not to be promoted last season. Peterborough scored the most goals in the league last season, netting 89 in 46 games. One standout victory last season was when they beat Derby County 2-3 at Pride Park Stadium, with an emphatic last minute winner.
Unfortunately for their fans, they were defeated in the play-off semi-finals, losing 2-1 on aggregate to Oxford United. If Peterborough can keep a similar standard of form from the previous seasons, they could be a threat for the 2024-25 season at big odds of 20/1.
How to Bet on the EFL League 1 – Season 2024/2025
Betting in the EFL League 1 can prove to be a fruitful enterprise if you know where and what to bet on. There are many areas of a game and season to bet on, which include:
- Season outright results, with Birmingham City the 13/8 favourites and every other team 9/1 or bigger.
- The same can be done for match results by either backing outright on either team, the draw, or betting in the handicap markets. For example, betting on Birmingham City on the opening day (-1) would mean the Blues would need to win by at least two goals in order to collect, though you would get a bigger price because of that incentive.
- Over/under on the number of goals, corners, cards, or fouls can also be backed to heighten an in-game experience.
- On all of these bets, it is important to do research behind them, for example, a certain player that performs well against a team or if a side may have a poor record playing away from home.
English League 1 Betting Tips and Offers
As already mentioned, if Peterborough can maintain their form from previous seasons, they could be formidable contenders in the 2024-25 season at an enticing price of 20/1. The addition of Manchester City loanee Mahamadou Susoho will bolster their midfield, and with a further 10 players set to join the squad at London Road Stadium, 20/1 seems a generous price for a team that consistently challenge for the play-off places. Betting each way with three places might be a smart move for the upcoming season.
Crawley Town would have to be top of the list when predicting a side to be relegated from League 1, having only finished seventh in League 2 last year and miraculously managed to win the play-offs. This promotion represents a significant challenge for Crawley, requiring an exceptional season to avoid finishing in the bottom four. Given the step up in competition, they face an uphill battle, and the odds reflect this, at 8/13 for them to be relegated.
