EFL experts make surprise claim on who will finish 2nd in League One, it’s not Huddersfield Town

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This League One season is set up to be an incredible one.

The three sides who were relegated from the Championship last season are all bringing their own qualities, while those who were already in the division in 2024/25 and challenging for a top six finish will once again be looking upwards.

Huddersfield Town are one of the favourites for promotion, and after the signing of Alfie May from Birmingham City they will be a real threat. However, Luton Town are particularly strong.

Nevertheless, there is another side who will have their own say in the battle for the top two this campaign after a cruel end to the last.

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EFL experts predict Stockport County to pip Huddersfield Town to top two finish in League One

With a week to go until League One and League Two get underway, it’s anyone’s guess as to who will start the strongest and maintain their form until the finish line in May.

However, the Not The Top 20 Podcast have made one prediction that may surprise many as we close in on the opening weekend. They said: “The reason we have Stockport in second above Huddersfield. Well, they came third in League One last season. Huddersfield finished 10th. Stockport have a lot less distance to travel in order to become a top two team.

“In some ways they’re the opposite of what I was just saying about Huddersfield in their last few seasons. This is the continuity pick. This is a team who have built consistently because of good decision making, an excellent manager in Dave Challinor, sensational recruitment over the course of three or four years now.

“They get the compound benefits of good decision making, winning culture, good recruitment, everyone singing off the same hymn sheet. And that’s what I believe in. I think that is a bit stronger.

“That’s why I think they’ll finish above Huddersfield, even if the names on paper might not stand out to your neutral fans. They’ve lost Fraser Horsfall. That will be a blow.

“To replace him, they’ve brought in Joseph Olowu, who starred for Doncaster in League Two last season, and Arttu Hoskonenm who’s a Finnish international centre-back that Stockport are really excited about. He’s not Finnish. He’s literally 28.

“Tayo Edun will be the left-sided defender and adds a lot more technical quality compared to Ibou Touray, who departed, probably less defensive and physical resilience. And Corey O’Keeffe on the right side is someone who I could see contributing a lot in attack to this team.

“Malik Mothersille comes in because Isaac Olaofe went out. I think the signings are all very, very well thought out, and there’s a group of players like Jayden Fevrier and Jack Diamond, who I think will come on again, having spent the season last season getting up to speed and trying to stay fit. Dave Challinor signed a new contract.

“He’s a huge asset for the club as well. For me, it’s very, very difficult to see major issues here. We’ve seen this team under this manager be an excellent winning football team for three seasons now, League Two for two seasons, and then straight into third in League One.

“We’re going with continuity rather than flashy signings.”

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Stockport County have unfinished business after last season

The Hatters finished in the play-offs in League One last season, however, they were beaten on penalties by Leyton Orient at Edgeley Park.

Charlie Kelman scored a controversial goal in the first leg of that clash, and Stockport will feel as though they’ve got a point to prove when they return to action in just under a week’s time.

Challinor has tasted plenty of success already in Greater Manchester, but taking the club to the second tier for the first time since 2002 will be his greatest achievement by a distance.

Automatic promotion would also save Stockport the nightmare of the play-offs, although they do know how to win at Wembley when they get there.