The EFL kicks off this weekend, and I’m focusing on the League One relegation battle. The three newly promoted clubs look vulnerable, and Burton Albion, who escaped demotion by five points last season, have suffered a summer of departures and upheaval. Let’s have a look at the value to be found in the scrap to avoid the drop to League Two.
TL; DR – League One Relegation Betting Tips
| Team | Odds | Bookmaker | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burton Albion | 11/8 | William Hill | 1.5 |
| Cambridge United | 7/4 | 10bet | 1 |
| Peterborough United | 7/2 | William Hill | 0.5 |
Odds correct at 1645 BST on 11th August 2026. Odds subject to change.
The bookies are tipping the three newly promoted teams to struggle along with AFC Wimbledon, Burton Albion, Oxford United, Leyton Orient and Peterborough United. We’ll now look at the relegation candidates in detail. The odds quoted are correct at the time of writing and are subject to change.
Bromley :11/10 William Hill
EXPIRING:
31/12/2026
Bromley the favourites to drop into League Two, priced at 11/10 with William Hill and, at the time of writing, as short as evens with Betfred. It is very easy to understand the reasoning of the bookies. Bromley are punching above their weight. Their debut season in the Football League was 2024/25. Twenty years ago, the highest point they had reached on the football pyramid was tier seven, the Isthmian Premier League. Their rise has been rapid, and you can argue that the infrastructure of the club cannot keep pace with progress on the field, and their bubble is about to burst.
However, the club have taken promotion seriously and have brought in players who they feel can cope with the demands of League One. A feature of their rise under boss Andy Woodman, who has been in charge since 2021, has been very few losses. Woodman has lost little over 20% of his matches at the club, and Bromley have regularly gone on long unbeaten runs. Bromley may not notch many wins as they step up to a more competitive environment, but Woodman will make them difficult to play against and difficult to beat. They are not going to lie down for anyone. Might they end up getting relegated? Yes. Do I think that they are worth backing at 11/10? No.
AFC Wimbledon: 11/10 Betfred
No Expiry Date
Momentum in football is key, and AFC Wimbledon have had plenty of that since late 2025. Unfortunately, that momentum has been downward. The Dons have done tremendously well to reach League One. They are a fan-owned club and have one of the smallest budgets in the Football League. Wimbledon made a superb start to the season last time round and were in a playoff position after eight matches. From that point on they had the third-worst record in the division and if they don’t get off to a positive start, they could be in trouble. Last season they caught a lot of teams by surprise as they rode a wave of positivity following promotion. Since then, teams have worked them out and it could be a tough season. I think that the Dons will struggle and would not be surprised to see them back in League Two this time next year. However, I am not enthused by odds of 11/10.
Burton Albion 11/8 William Hill
Burton ended up 17th in League One in 2025/26, having finished 20th in League One in both of the previous two campaigns. They escaped the drop by five points last season, and they look likely to be in the relegation fight again. The club have been charged with 28 breaches of FA agent regulations and while they have accepted these charges, they are yet to be punished. An effort has been made to slash the wage bill, and 15 members of the first team squad have been moved on over the close season. In Gary Bowyer the club have a very capable manager, but he is in a hugely difficult situation. The squad is desperately thin and with the possibility of a points deduction looming they are my tip to go down. 11/8 at William Hill, one of the best football bookies is decent value.
Cambridge United: 7/4 10bet
No Expiry Date
Cambridge United’s promotion push was built on solid defence with only 33 conceded last season. Scoring goals was another matter and this could prove more difficult in League One. Like a number of the other relegation candidates, Cambridge lack the budget to sign the players they need to establish themselves at this level. If they can keep things tight, they could survive, but they will almost certainly be in the relegation scrap. With odds of 7/4 at 10bet, one of the top UK betting sites, they are better value than the likes of Bromley and Wimbledon.
Notts County: 11/4 10bet
Notts County’s return to the Football League has been highly positive so far. After a season of consolidation in League Two they were promoted to the third tier over the summer. Survival will be the aim this season, and County are lacking in players who have experience at this level. They will be in the relegation conversation, but I don’t see them as nailed on to go down.
Leyton Orient: 3/1 10bet
O’s boss Richie Wellens was a frustrated man last season as his side finished 20th. The club have acted to improve what Wellens described as a weak squad over the summer with the likes of Isaac Hayden and Nathan Baxter adding experience and quality. While I don’t expect them to improve enough to push for the playoffs, I think that they will have enough to reach midtable, although if the new signings fail to bed in, they might be looking over their shoulder a little nervously. I won’t be backing them to go down.
Oxford United: 7/2 10bet
It has been all change at Oxford over the summer with former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey taking charge following relegation from the Championship. On one hand, they have a number of players who know their way around League One. However, they lack depth in several areas, and a transfer embargo means that they can only register two new signings. This season could go one way or the other, but I do not think that they will take one of the four relegation slots.
Peterborough United: 7/2 William Hill
Peterborough United could be in for another difficult campaign. When Luke Williams took over last season, the Posh were bottom of the pile. A fantastic run of 11 victories from his first 18 league matches saw Peterborough rocket into the top half. However, things levelled out after that initial new manager bounce and they tumbled back down the table and ended up finishing 18th. Comings and goings over the summer have left a squad short of experience and short of a goal threat. An 18th or 19th place finish looks the most likely outcome, but at 7/2 it is worth having a punt on them ending up in the bottom four.
My League One Relegation Bet is Live
I have backed Burton to go down with William Hill. If you are signing up with William Hill for the start of the season, remember that you can use your free bets from the welcome offer on your outright picks.
