The new EFL League Two season kicks off on August 15th, with betting markets now open ahead of the opening weekend.
EFL betting tipster Louie Truman has picked out his best bets for the 2026/27 campaign,
including his free betting tips, latest odds and some of the
best football betting offers.
EFL LEAGUE TWO 2026/27 BETTING PREVIEW | BEST BETS & PREDICTIONS
Last season, Bromley enjoyed an excellent campaign as they won League Two with 87 points and secured promotion to League One. MK Dons also had a strong season, securing 86 points, while Cambridge United joined them in earning automatic promotion.
At the other end of the table, Barrow and Harrogate struggled for consistency throughout the season. Both were relegated to the National League.
Not many expected Lincoln to win League One last season, and I’ve been researching a huge outsider for the League Two title. I’m going to tip Grimsby Town to win the title; the Mariners are currently priced at 12/1.
They showed plenty of promise last season, particularly during the opening months of the campaign. Their EFL Cup win over Manchester United was the obvious highlight, although they struggled to keep their early momentum going over the course of the season.
The numbers suggest there is plenty to build on. Grimsby performed extremely well when looking at expected points and also created chances at a rate better than anyone else in the league.
Another positive is the stability at the club, with the majority of the squad and coaching setup remaining in place. League Two has produced some unexpected title winners in recent years, and at 12/1, I think Grimsby has the potential to be the next one.
Betting Tip: Grimsby Town to win League Two – 12/1 -
BetMGM
I think Salford City have a very good chance of securing promotion this season.
They have added some serious quality to their squad over the summer, with Macauley Langstaff and Luke Molyneux two signings that particularly stand out. Both should be more than capable of making a big impact at League Two level.
After falling short last season, Salford will be expected to take another step forward. Their squad looks strong enough to compete with the best teams in the division, and I can see them securing a place in League One.
Betting Tip: Salford to gain promotion to League One
Barnet are the final side I’m backing to secure automatic promotion to League One. Their finish to last season gives me plenty of confidence heading into the new campaign. Seven wins from their final eight matches showed just how good they can be when everything links together.
There have been changes over the summer, but Barnet has responded with several new additions to strengthen Dean Brennan’s options. If they can pick up where they left off, I think a top three finish is well within reach.
Betting Tip: Barnet to gain promotion to League One
Chesterfield are another team I can see challenging for promotion this season.
They have already shown they are capable of competing towards the top end of League Two, and I expect them to be in the mix once again. The automatic places could prove difficult to reach, but I think Chesterfield have a strong chance of making the play-offs and earning promotion that way.
Next, let’s take a look at the relegation market. My pick to finish bottom of League Two is Tranmere Rovers.
I have concerns about where the goals are going to come from and whether the squad has enough quality to compete over a full season. Last season was already a difficult one at Prenton Park, and they have since had plenty of changes to deal with over the summer.
Darrell Clarke has a big job on his hands. Unless their new arrivals make an immediate impact, I can see Tranmere spending most of the season towards the bottom of the table.
For me, they are one of the most vulnerable sides in the league and my selection to finish 24th.
Betting Tip: Tranmere to get relegated
Newport County are another team I think could be relegated this season. They struggled last season and have since lost some important players, including Bobby Kamwa. Hayden Mullins now has the job of trying to improve their record. I think Newport could be in for another tough season, and they are my second pick to go down.
Betting Tip: Newport to get relegated
Next, let’s have a look at the top goal scorer market. Macaulay Langstaff is my pick to become the league’s top goal scorer.
The 11/4 favourite arrives at Salford City after spending the last two years with Millwall, and I think the move back to the fourth tier gives him an excellent opportunity to get back amongst the goals.
Langstaff has already proved himself as a goal scorer further down the pyramid. His standout campaign came with Notts County, where he scored 42 league goals as they won promotion from the National League, before following that up with another 28 goals during his first season in League Two.
Things didn’t work out quite as well after making the step up to the Championship, but that doesn’t put me off backing him here. We already know his quality at this level, and he is joining a Salford side with ambition.
If Salford are competing towards the top of the league, Langstaff should be at the heart of it.
Betting Tip: Macaulay Langstaff to become League Two top goalscorer – 11/4 -
BetMGM
Max Watters is one of the outsiders that catches my eye at 40/1
Backing him obviously comes with risks, particularly given his lack of consistent football in recent seasons, but the price looks big enough to make him interesting.
Most importantly, Watters has already shown that he can score goals in League Two. His previous spell with Crawley produced 16 goals from only 19 appearances.
Now back at this level with Port Vale, he has an opportunity to get his career moving in the right direction again.
Betting Tip: Max Watters to become League Two top goalscorer – 40/1 -
BetMGM
