EFL experts make surprise claim on who will finish 2nd in League One, it’s not Huddersfield Town
While the teams that were already in the division in 2024–2025 and vying for a top six finish will once again be
looking upward, the three teams that were demoted from the Championship the previous season are each
contributing their unique attributes.
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.
EFL experts predict Stockport County to pip Huddersfield Town to top two finish in League One
Who will start the strongest and keep up their form until the end of May is up in the air, as League One and League
Two begin in just one week.
As the opening weekend draws near, the Not The Top 20 Podcast has made one prediction that might surprise a lot
of people. “The reason we have Stockport in second place above Huddersfield,” they stated. They finished third in
League One the previous season. Huddersfield came in tenth place. Stockport needs to cover a lot less ground to
finish in the top two.
“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.”
Stockport County have unfinished business after last season
Last season, the Hatters made it to the League One playoffs, however they lost to Leyton Orient at Edgeley Park on
penalties.
When Stockport returns to action in less than a week, they will feel as though they have a point to prove after Charlie
Kelman scored a contentious goal in the first leg of that match.
Although Challinor has already seen a great deal of success in Greater Manchester, leading the team to the second
division for the first time since 2002 will undoubtedly be his biggest accomplishment.
Even if Stockport knows how to win at Wembley when they get there, automatic promotion would also spare them
from the playoff misery.
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