The English Football League Two is the third division of the English Football League (EFL) which is its lowest. More popularly known as League Two or Skybet EFL League Two for sponsorship reasons, it is the fourth-highest division in the English football league system.
Before the Premier League was established in 1992, the fourth-highest division in the English football system was known as the Football Fourth Division. Upon the arrival of the Premier League, it was renamed to Football Third Division and during the 2004-05 season, League Two was introduced.
League Structure
A total of 24 teams compete in League Two. These teams play each other twice during a season on a home and away schedule. Teams are awarded three points for a win, one for a draw and no points for a loss. From these points awarded, a league table is created with the teams arranged in the following order: points gained, goal difference, goals scored, a comparison of the ranked teams according to the first three criteria and if teams are still tied, a series of playoff matches are held.
The top three teams in the league table at the end of the regular season and the playoff winner are promoted to the EPL League One and are replaced by the bottom four teams from League One who are relegated to League Two. Likewise, the bottom two placers of League Two are relegated to the National League and are replaced by the winner of the National League and the playoff winner from that division who will be promoted.
As of last season, Morecambe holds the distinction for the longest run in League Two. They were last out of League Two during the 2006-07 season when they were promoted from the Conference National, the predecessor of the National League. Currently, there are three former Premier Leagues competing in League Two. These teams are Bradford City, Oldham Athletic, and Swindon Town.
During the 2018-19 season, Lincoln City won the League Two title after finishing the year six points ahead of Bury and Milton Keynes Dons. These three teams earned automatic promotion to the EFL League One 2019-20 season while Tranmere Rovers won the playoff between teams 4-7 and are also headed to League One for the 2019-20 football. Season.
The 2019-20 League Two
The 2019-20 EFL League Two is the 16th edition of the League Two and the 28th year under its current division format. The teams promoted to League Two from the National League are Leyton Orient and Salford City. Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle, Walsall, Scunthorpe United, and Bradford City were relegated from League One to League 2.
On the other hand, Lincoln City, Bury, Milton Keynes Dons and Tranmere Rovers were promoted from League Two to League One while Notts County and Yeovil Town were relegated from League Two to the National League.
Relegated team Bradford City is the current soccer betting favorite to win the 2019-20 EFL League Two title at +700. Promoted Salford City ranks next in the current odds board at +800.
Here are the complete odds to win the 2019-20 England League Two championship. Odds were taken from TitanBet as of 7/16/19:
Team | Odds |
---|---|
Bradford City | +700 |
Salford City | +800 |
Plymouth Argyle | +900 |
Mansfield Town | +1000 |
Scunthorpe United | +1000 |
Northampton Town | +1200 |
Carlisle | +1600 |
Forest Green | +1600 |
Leyton Orient | +1600 |
Walsall | +1600 |
Colchester | +2000 |
Swindon Town | +2000 |
Exeter City | +2500 |
Newport | +2500 |
Oldham | +2500 |
Port Vale | +2500 |
Cambridge United | +3300 |
Crewe Alexandra | +3300 |
Stevenage | +3300 |
Cheltenham Town | +4000 |
Bradford City is one of three former Premier League teams currently competing in League Two. They were relegated from top flight during the 2001 season and two more relegations in 2004 and 2007 saw them in the fourth tier. They found success with Phil Parkinson and won the 2013 League Cup final and also won that year’s League Two playoffs. However, after finishing 24th out of 24 teams during the 2018-19 EFL League One season, they have been relegated back to League Two.
Salford City is a club owned by former Manchester United players Ryan Giggs, Phil Neville, Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt who each have a 10% share in team ownership. This team was the Northern Premier League Division One North title in 2015 and won the Premier Division title the following year. They also won the National League North title in 2018 and this year, they won the National League Playoff to earn promotion.
Plymouth Argyle is among the four relegated teams from League One. They finished the 2018-19 season 21st among 24 League One teams. Plymouth Argyle has won a record five third tier titles. They played in the Championship for six consecutive seasons before two successive relegations demoted them to League Two in 2011. They earned a promotion to League One in 2017 but two years later are back in League Two.
Mansfield Town is the highest existing League Two competitor on the current odds board. Mansfield Town was 4th during the 2018-19 League Two season but lost to Newport County in a penalty shootout during the semifinals of the League 2 playoffs. The won the National League in 2013 to earn promotion to League Two and have been toiling here ever since.
Who Wins?
Naturally, the teams relegated from one tier higher are the favorites here. These teams are supposed to be big men playing among small boys if you like to put it that way. That’s why Bradford City, Plymouth Argyle and Scunthorpe United are among the top five teams in the current odds board.
However, Salford City is second on the odds board and they are playing in their first ever EFL stint after winning the National League playoff with a 3-0 win over AFC Fylde. This team was in the title hunt along with Leyton Orient and Solihull Moors throughout the season, even going on an unbeaten 10 run straight games before losing their final two games of the season which cost them automatic relegation.
The Ammies have armed themselves for their first ever EFL participation. They have signed Town defender Dan Jones, Joey Jones, and Oscar Threlkeld. Likewise, they have also added midfielder Richie Towell from Brighton and Hove Albion. However, Salford City lost striker Matt Green and the team released Devonte Redmond, Anthony Dudley, Amine Linganzi, Danny Livesey, Gus Mafuta, and Jack Redshaw.
With the core of their promotion-winning side still intact plus the new signings they have made so far, I’m picking Salford City to win the 2019-20 EFL League Two. Prediction: Salford City