League One season preview

The 2007/08 League One season promises to be something special.

With none of the relegated trio (Leeds, Southend and Luton) primed for a swift Championship return, expect a fierce battle for the automatic promotion places.

Nottingham Forest are the pre-season favourites for promotion after falling in the play-off semi-finals to Yeovil Town last season.

Doncaster Rovers are being tipped to impress while the likes of Swansea City, Oldham Athletic and Millwall will all be looking to challenge for the top two.

Leyton Orient, Bournemouth and Cheltenham are likely to struggle, although Leeds' 15-point penalty means they are up against it from the start.Bournemouth 66/1

The Cherries' small squad means it could be a season of struggle for Kevin Bond's South Coast side, who finished just five points clear of the drop zone last term.

Bond has brought in striker Jo Kuffour and experienced midfielder Paul Telfer from Celtic, but they have also lost the likes of James Hayter, Steve Fletcher and Stephen Purches.

Brighton 33/1

Brighton will need to improve upon their home form if they are to have any hopes of challenging for a play-off spot.

The Seagulls won just five of their 23 outings at The Withdean last term, although the capture of experienced hit-man Nicky Forster should boost their output.

Bristol Rovers 25/1

Last season's League Two play-off winners have it all to do to avoid the drop, but underestimate Paul Trollope's Pirates at your peril.

With Trollope bringing in David Pipe, Joe Jacobsen and Andy Williams this summer expect Rovers to be fighting for their lives this season.

Carlisle 20/1

The loss of striker Karl Hawley is likely to hit Carlisle hard, although manager Neil McDonald has brought in Middlesbrough's Danny Graham to replace the free-scoring forward.

The Cumbrians finished eighth last season and they may find it hard going to achieve a top half of the table finish this time around.

Cheltenham 66/1

The Robins are among the favourites for relegation following the departures of Kayode Odejayi, Craig Armstrong and JJ Melligan.

Cheltenham finished in 17th last season thanks to impressive away form, but a repeat this time around could be hard to come by for John Ward's troops.

Crewe 33/1

Crewe would settle for a mid-table finish now following a summer in which a number of first-team players have departed.

The Alex have lost the likes of Luke Varney, Billy Jones and Jon Otsemobor as Dario Gradi looks to blood the next generation of the club's production line.

Doncaster 8/1

Astute summer captures mean Doncaster are nicely poised to mount a serious challenge for promotion this season.

The acquisition of Bournemouth's James Hayter should prove a good piece of business along with the return of veteran keeper Neil Sullivan.

Gillingham 25/1

Gills boss Ronnie Jepson has been busy in the transfer market this summer bringing in no less than ten fresh faces.

Steve Lomas looks an astute midfield capture along with former Sheffield Wednesday striker David Graham.

Hartlepool 25/1

Manager Danny Wilson would settle for survival if it was offered to him before the season started.

Wilson has brought in former Leeds duo Robbie Elliott and Ian Moore to what looks a squad more than capable of holding their own.

Huddersfield 16/1

The Terriers will need to improve their away form if they are to mount a serious bid for the play-offs this season.

Andy Ritchie has bagged experienced duo Frank Sinclair and Danny Cadamarteri, although it could be season of struggle for the West Yorkshire outfit.

Leeds 25/1

The Whites' 15-point deduction is likely to make it impossible for a swift Championship return. If anything, Leeds could be dragged into a relegation dog-fight.

Leeds boss Dennis Wise has retained keeper Casper Ankergren, although the loss of a number of experienced faces leaves the club somewhat of an unknown quantity.

Leyton Orient 66/1

The O's have made no less than eight close-season signings, although it is the loss of Matt Lockwood which could be a key transfer.

Orient finished one place above the drop zone last term and boss Martin Ling will be hoping to avoid any relegation scares come May.

Luton 16/1

Kevin Blackwell arrived too late to keep Luton up last term, but after a full pre-season under his belt he will be hoping for an upturn in fortunes.

Blackwell has added much-needed experience to his squad in the likes of Paul Furlong, Paul Peschisolido, Chris Perry and Don Hutchison.

Millwall 12/1

The Lions are being tipped to have a real push for promotion this season under manager Willie Donachie.

Veteran striker Neil Harris is likely to play a key role if the South East London outfit are to challenge for a top-six place.

Northampton 33/1

A mid-table finish beckons for The Cobblers despite a busy summer of transfer activity.

Colin Larkin, Ian Henderson and Daniel Jones have all been brought in while veteran midfielder Ian Taylor has retired.

Nottingham Forest 11/4

The capture of Celtic midfielder Neil Lennon is surely the final piece of the puzzle for Colin Calderwood's squad.

Coupled with the captures of the dangerous Arron Davies and Matt Lockwood, it is hard to look past Forest for promotion.

Oldham 14/1

If hit-man Michael Ricketts can return to his best then Oldham could have one of the most potent strikers in the division.

John Sheridan has also gambled on former West Brom favourite Lee Hughes while bringing in the experience of keeper Mark Crossley.

Port Vale 40/1

Martin Foyle will be relying on Luke Rodgers to find the back of the net following striker Leon Constantine's Leeds switch.

The Valiants have brought in Shane Tudor, Justin Miller, Marc Richards, Paul Edwards and Craig Rocastle as Foyle looks to improve on last season's 12th placed finish.

Southend 16/1

The loss of talismanic striker Freddy Eastwood was a blow for The Shrimpers, although free-scoring Charlie McDonald has been brought in.

The signing of Kerrea Gilbert on loan from Arsenal could prove an astute capture for manager Steve Tilson.

Swansea 11/1

The Swans will parade a new strike force this term with Jason Scotland and Darryl Duffy replacing Lee Trundle and Adebayo Akinfenwa.

Along with the loss of fans' favourite Trundle the Welsh outfit also lost defender Izzy Iriekpen on a free transfer to Scunthorpe.

Swindon 40/1

Despite a number of summer arrivals, Paul Sturrock's side might prove too small to survive in League One at the first time of asking.

Hasney Aljofree is likely to play a key role for The Robins, who finished third in League Two last season.

Tranmere 20/1

Tranmere are the dark horses of the division this season, despite a ninth placed finish last time around.

The captures of Antony Kay, Jack Obersteller, Danny Coyne, Adnan Ahmed and Ben Chorley give Ronnie Moore's side real hope ahead of the new campaign.

Walsall 33/1

Last season's League Two champions will be hopeful of staying up thanks to some experienced arrivals.

Tommy Mooney, Danny Sonner and Paul Boertien all have the qualities required and will fight to keep The Saddlers up.

Yeovil 25/1

Russell Slade could find it hard going to achieve last season's lofty position of fifth following Arron Davies' exit to Forest.

Slade has made a number of close-season captures, with QPR's feisty midfielder Marc Bircham among the pick of the arrivals.