2025-26 League Two Runners & Riders

Every year shortly after the full line up of League Two teams is confirmed for the following season, I like to put out an initial assessment on where I think each team will finish in the coming season. I don't pin them down to positions, as with an entire 4 month transfer window to come, it's impossible to say where each team will finish.

However, what I do like to do is put them into 3 camps. The promotion challengers(1-8), the mid-table mediocrity(9-16) and the strugglers(17-24). So, with the line up for the 25-26 EFL League Two season confirmed, it's time to do just that. Here is my snap call on which teams will finish in which category. Please note they aren't listed in any particular order.

Contenders(1st-8th)

Bristol Rovers(22nd in L1)

I know they are in a mess at the moment, but they, like Doncaster, almost never seem to stay in L2 very long. When they came out of the National League in 15-16, they went up in 1 season. When they came down in 21-22, they again spent just 1 season at this level. With a decent summer of recruitment, there is a good chance they'll quickly bounce back once again. With Darrell Clarke back in charge as well, a top 7 finish feels very likely.

Salford City(9th in L2)

He's a detestable human, but Karl Robinson is a good L2 manager. He got the Ammies back into the play-off picture, which is no mean feat given they on paper didn't have a squad with any stand out stars in it. But perhaps that was their strength, as they relied on team spirit and togetherness. Will they definitely challenge again in 25-26? I'm not 100% convinced, but with Robinson at the helm, they'll be a tough team to beat.

Grimsby Town(8th in L2)

Things do seem to be progressing nicely under Dave Artell. In season two of their rebuild under him, they took big steps forward, moving from a struggler to a play-off chaser. There are definitely still question marks, namely their suspect home form and the number of goals they conceded in 24-25.

Plus, missing out on the top 7 in the way they did has to sting. But if the can find some reliable firepower behind Danny Rose and find a way to shore things up at the back, then they can get back into the play-off hunt next season.

Chesterfield(7th in L2)

They had a wild season in their first one back from the National League. A strong start, a rocky middle third and then an incredible final 10 games to surge into the play-offs on the final day is incredible. Ok, they weren't quite able to get over the line, but they can feel proud of making the top 7. With a better run of luck with injuries and some tidying up of their weaker areas, they'll be back stronger next season I have no doubt, especially led by one of the best managers in the division in Paul Cook.

Colchester United(10th in L2)

Things really turned around for Colchester in the 2nd half of this season, as they surged from mid-table into the hunt for a top 7 spot. They did so thanks to the classic Cowley style of being hard to beat but knowing how to pinch tight games. They fell short as they seemed to run out of gas in the final weeks, but they will be one of the better teams in L2 next season. With a fair wind, they could be a top 3 contender.

MK Dons(19th in L2)

They have to start performing to their potential right? Well, it's been an impressive start to their window once again, signing Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and being rumoured to signing David McGoldrick. No doubt they'll be in the market for more top performers and assemble a top side on paper once again. But can Warne and his stars deliver where managers like Mike Williamson and Scott Lindsey failed last season?

Cambridge United(23rd in League One)

Neil Harris knows how to get results, but they have a big rebuild on their hands to get a side ready to compete in L2. It's also worth noting that they only once actually finished in the weren't a consistent contender in L2 the last time they were here. Still, with Harris at the helm, you can see them having a decent season if they get their recruitment right.

Fleetwood Town(14th in L2)

The Cod were very inconsistent under Pete Wild, with them ranging from fantastic to farcical on a game to game basis. But at the same time, they were rocked by several long term injuries which ruined them. Providing things don't blow up off the pitch, if they can recruit smartly in the forward and defensive areas, I'd back them to have a decent season in 25-26.

Mid-Table Safety(9th-16th)

Notts County(6th in L2)

Sorry, I know it's bold to put them here right now, but with no manager and David McGoldrick departing for pastures unknown, there is little evidence currently to warrant putting them in the promotion hunt. Should they make a few smart signings in the attacking areas and bring in a more experienced manager who knows how to get out of the division, then I'd put them back in the top 8. For now though, they look like a mid-table outfit.

Walsall(4th in L2)

I'd love to say they can bounce back and put right what went wrong in the 2nd half of 24-25, but how as a club do you recover from not only blowing a huge lead at the top, but also blowing what looked to be a nailed on top 3 spot? Whatever could go wrong in 2025 did go wrong for the Saddlers and given how dramatic their slide was, I just don't see them becoming contenders in 25-26, even despite their admirable recovery in the play-offs to make Wembley.

Swindon Town(12th in League Two)

The Robins turnaround under Ian Holloway is as impressive as it is surprising. They've done it in typical Ollie style as well, in very entertaining ways. But whilst they can feel optimistic on the pitch under him, the bubbling issues off the pitch won't go away, as owner Clem Morfuni continues to dodge controversies and poor decisions. Unless he sells up, which doesn't seem likely, I think they are going to be limited in how much they can improve. They'll be safe in mid-table, but I can't see them doing more than that.

Crewe Alexandra(13th in League Two)

If you wanted to make the case that the Alex bounce back from a horrendous end to 24-25 to challenge for the top 7 in 25-26, I can see it. If you want to make the case that things continue to fall apart and they struggle, I can see that also. Personally right now, I think they split the difference and finish roughly where they did in 24-25, 13th.

Tranmere Rovers(20th in League Two)

I think Tranmere might have finally found a manager who can lead them forward. Andy Crosby has transformed them since coming in. Whilst there is every chance he's the next Nigel Adkins and things fall apart in his first full season after a new manager bounce, I think the style of football they're playing to me looks very sustainable. They are in an attractive location to recruit some quality players, but a lot hinges on the potential takeover. Get that sorted and they could fly. Without it, I think they'll improve but won't go much higher than mid-table.

Gillingham(17th in League Two)

As much as I think Gareth Ainsworth is capable of leading a huge turnaround, I'm not so sure about him just yet. He could make me look very silly as they romp to a top 7 spot, but as yet he hasn't proven he can achieve success away from Wycombe. One club managers exist, see John Coleman. I don't see them struggling, but I'm still a bit hesitant to put them as contenders, even if they splash out and sign a load of big names, like Seb Palmer-Houlden for example.

Oldham Athletic(5th in the National League)

It's good to one one of the old boys back. They are a club that deserves EFL football and it's good to see them on the rise again after years of steady decline. I have no doubt Micky Mellon will have them stable in L2 in 25-26, but I don't think they'll be good or bad enough to trouble either end of the table.

Barnet(1st in the National League)

I know they come up off the back of a superb title winning season, bringing the momentum that comes with this. However, between 2005 and 2018, they were in L2 for 13 of 15 seasons. They never once finished higher than 12th in any of those seasons. I think they'll be a team that struggles for consistency and finishes in the middle of the pack.

Tough Times Ahead(17th-24th)

Barrow(16th in League Two)

Andy Whing has quietly done a good job turning things around after Stephen Clemence's poor appointment. They went 8-7-6 under Whing since he took over, which is good for 67 points. They'll be solid once again in 25-26, but I'm struggling to find 8 clear sides for the bottom 8, so I'll have to stick them in here.

Shrewsbury Town(24th in League One)

This is possibly my riskiest shout at this point. I'm sorry, but I don't rate Michael Appleton. And whilst the initial signings of Tom Anderson and Sam Clucas seem to be about bringing in experience, I don't see anything close to a promotion contending squad right now. They've got no form, no quality, a mixed bag manager and an owner that is desperately trying to sell the club. Those things just don't look to me like ingredients that make side that will do anything other than struggle in 25-26.

Cheltenham Town(15th in League Two)

Whilst they undoubtedly had a solid season in 24-25, their underlying numbers don't paint a pretty picture. They overperformed their xG by a long margin and there is evidence to say they are set for a regression. With them set to lose some key players and still lingering questions over Michael Flynn and their ownership, I just don't think it's hard to see them sliding into the bottom 8 next season.

Crawley Town(21st in League One)

Sorry, but I think 23-24 was a massive fluke. They over performed their underlying numbers by a long stretch and whilst I don't put too much stock into their struggles and relegation in L1, I also think they could well keep sinking in 25-26 and finish in the bottom 8 of L2. Maybe Lindsey can prove that 23-24 wasn't all smoke and mirrors, but at this point, that is what I'm calling it, especially given his disastrous spell with MK Dons.

Bromley(11th in League Two)

Maybe this is a lazy pick given how well they did in 24-25, but I do feel they pounced on a weak league and given the book is now out on them, the league will likely adapt and they may find results harder to come by next season. Does Michael Cheek repeat his goalscoring success? Very possible. But if he doesn't, they could easily slide down the table.

Newport County(22nd in League Two)

What is Huw Jenkins vision for Newport? They seem to be accepting survival as the best they can hope for, which for me is a slippery slope. Can the model he is looking to bring in from his time at Swansea be successful on a smaller scale? I'm unsure. They need long term stability at manager, so letting letting Nelson Jarim go and bringing in a similarly inexperienced David Hughes doesn't feel like a step forward, just another gamble.

Accrington Stanley(21st in League Two)

They've heavily flirted with the drop zone since sacking John Coleman and you just wonder if, after years of over achieving in the EFL, time is running out for them. With Andy Holt continuing his wild mood swings between selling and not selling, there seems to be precious little stability off the pitch as well. I know it's lazy to just put them in the bottom 8, but I would be surprised if they weren't scrapping for survival once again. And if this time, they fall through the trap door, they won't be coming back.

Harrogate Town(18th in League Two)

They keep proving people wrong, but there are only so many times you can circle the drain before you get pulled in. They've been remarkably consistent, picking up between 52 and 63 points in each season since being promoted. But as they lose more key cornerstones of their team and Jack Muldoon continues to decline, another relegation dogfight seems very likely at this point.