Assessing the survival hopes of the newly promoted sides in League One

With the countdown to the start of the League One season imminent, excitement is palpable as another nine months of entertaining action begin. Last season saw champions Wigan Athletic automatically promoted alongside Rotherham, while Sunderland navigated their way through the playoffs, winning at Wembley to earn a place in the Championship.

Before a ball has even been kicked there’s plenty to dissect ahead of the new season, and when you look at the Predictz English Football League 1 predictions, you’ll see the likes of Derby County and Wycombe Wanderers tipped to earn a place in the second tier come the business end of the season. But what about the other end of the spectrum?

For every team’s success, there are others’ shortcomings, and while Doncaster faced the drop on the final day, four new teams will ply their trade in League One when the campaign gets underway on the 30th July. Forest Green Rovers, Exeter City, Bristol Rovers and Port Vale made their way through the ranks, with the former playing at the highest level in their history.

While the Premier League and Championship will pause during the World Cup, it’s business as usual in League One and Two, so expect a gruelling campaign for the fresh faces in the league. Games come thick and fast and in such a results-driven business, it’s easy to be dragged into a relegation battle after a few bad results. Read on, as we look at the chances of survival each of the newly promoted sides have in League One.

Forest Green Rovers
Forest Green Rovers reached the dizzying heights of League One with relative ease after winning League Two on goal difference to clinch the title from Exeter on a dramatic final day. The Green Army shot off like a house on fire in the first few months of the season, and while you could argue compliancy set in, they still lifted the title after a draw against Macclesfield, albeit making harder work of it than they probably should have. Their chances of beating the drop this year depend on the goalscoring form of Matt Stevens, whose 23 goals last term fired Forest Green to the title.

Exeter City
The only consolation for second place Exeter City is that they go up with a more experienced side than Forest Green this season. The title eluded them but Matt Taylor still enjoyed a successful campaign, and their home form at St James Park makes The Grecians are forced to be reckoned with. Of all the new teams, they probably have the best chance of survival.

Port Vale
It was hard work for Port Vale as they dragged their way to Wembley via the playoffs, but on the biggest of occasions, the Burslem outfit stood up to be counted, comfortably dispatching Mansfield Town 3-0 to play in League One this season. Vale Park’s bearpit atmosphere could be the difference between survival and relegation, and it was clear to see how their attendance influenced the Valiants’ form, at times struggling to win on the road.

Bristol Rovers
It’s been quite a strange preseason for Rovers, who finished third in League Two last year. Their schedule has been strict under Joey Barton, who gained valuable experience at Fleetwood Town, and has seen them go from playing eighth-tier Melksham Town one week to Portuguese champions FC Porto the next. Barton has kept hold of his key players and Rovers have added former Liverpool academy star Jordan Rossiter, as well as James Gibbons and John Marquis – players who know the league better and will be well adapted for a challenging campaign. If they can start brightly then expect the wins to come rolling in.