Early predictions for League Two in 2025/26 as MK Dons walk the division and Walsall struggle to replicate form

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The 2024/25 season may have only finished a few weeks ago, but all eyes are turning to what could happen in the 2025/26 campaign.

Bradford City ended up being promoted in dramatic fashion on the last day of the season with a 96th minute winner whereas Walsall bottled an almost unassailable lead to lose in the League Two play-off final to AFC Wimbledon, who earned the final promotion spot.

This coming year will be as tight as ever with several big name sides eyeing promotion to League One.

Meanwhile, the four teams coming down: Bristol Rovers, Cambridge United, Crawley Town and Shrewsbury Town will have to contend with new stadiums and being picked out as one of the sides tipped to go up.

Plenty can happen before the season kicks off but in the meantime, we’ve had a go at predicting how League Two will look by the time May rolls around.

• READ MORE: Early predictions for League One in 2025/26 as Plymouth Argyle bounce back and Bradford City surprise us all

Who is in the League Two promotion race?

A lot of sides will fancy their chances but the overwhelming favourite for most is MK Dons.

Having appointed Paul Warne, MK Dons are making a raft of signings that have caught the eye at this level, most notably reuniting Warne with Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and soon, David McGoldrick.

Notts County sacked Stuart Maynard after falling short in the play-offs but they will once again be in contention, as will their midlands rivals Chesterfield.

Colchester United could also be ones to watch out for under Danny Cowley and as a wildcard, don’t rule out either one of Barnet or Oldham Athletic to push for back-to-back promotions.

How will the middle of League Two look?

I alluded to the fact that Barnet and Oldham are capable of pushing the top sides for a play-off spot but I do think after such a long time away from the Football League, both sides will have a period of adjustment and just miss out on a play-off spot.

Shrewsbury Town were the first side to be relegated from League One and will need a massive rebuild job. Sometimes they don’t always guarantee instant success and it may take more than a season to fix things.

Grimsby Town have more promotions than any other EFL side with 15 and they can’t be ignored but sadly for them, it’s probably just out of the question.

The big disappointment will be Walsall, who will unfortunately fail to meet the same heights as last season.

Who will drop out of the Football League?

Only two teams are relegated from League Two meaning that there is statistically a better chance of surviving than in the Championship or League One, but losing your Football League status is a horrible feeling.

Accrington Stanley were in the midst of the relegation battle last season but fell on the right side of the dotted line. I’d back them to do that again.

Crawley Town will also be down there but won’t succumb to consecutive relegations and Bromley will consolidate their place.

Sadly, for Barrow and Harrogate Town, I think it will be the end of their EFL journey.

Barrow have lost Robbie Gotts to Doncaster Rovers and Dean Campbell has also been tipped for a move away whereas Harrogate feel like their journey will come to an end.