League Two doesn't have the glamour, quality or high wages of the Premier League, but for many the lower leagues are what football is all about. Football at this level is more "real" and what it lacks in class it more than makes up for in guts, determination and the will to win of the players. With around 20 games of the campaign gone the league table is really shaping up so we're taking another look at the outright winner betting in League Two and we will make our predictions for who will win the title, as well as providing live odds comparison for both the individual matches and also the outright market itself.
There are some big names down in League Two, with clubs such as Portsmouth, Luton, Oxford and Bristol Rovers rightly feeling they deserve to be higher up the football ladder than they are. Three sides will go up automatically this year but only one will win the title so let's take a look at the side that we feel can go all the way this term.
Pre-season, many fancied Pompey and whilst they have not had the sort of start they would have dreamed about they remain very much in the mix for the League Two title. After 19 games they have 33 points and sit six points behind leaders Plymouth in fourth place, just outside the automatic promotion spots occupied by Argyle, Oxford and Northampton.
Portsmouth are priced at odds of 5/1 with 10bet which statistically represents a 17% chance of them winning League Two this season. We think that's really good value and we predict that sooner rather than later Pompey will go on a strong run and march up the league, their odds shortening as they do. Portsmouth have the best goal difference in the division and we feel they have the best squad too. Throw in the fact that their away form against their rivals has been superb - they have taken four points from their games at the top two - and we think Pompey look a cracking bet in the outright winner market. They have played eight games against teams in the top half of the table and have lost just one. Indeed, they have only been beaten twice all season and if they can start turning the odd draw into a win they will rise rapidly up the table. As such our main betting tip in the League Two outrights is Portsmouth and we advise getting on them as soon as possible.
As said, however, it is Plymouth that lead the way for now and they are currently second favourites for the title at betting odds of 3/1. They are two points clear at the top but that looks very short to us and although they have started very well, we feel they lack the ability and experience to sustain a genuine title push.
The bookies, to some extent at least, agree, with Oxford the current favourites priced at odds of 2/1 with Bet365. The Us have been a non-league side in recent times but will feel they can challenge for promotion at least this term after accumulating 37 points from their 19 games. Managed by former Man United midfielder Michael Appleton they have impressed at times this term and their defence is a major strength. That said, given the competitive nature of this division 2/1 is just too short for us.
Elsewhere in the outright winner betting we have Northampton at odds of 10/1 with William Hill, with Leyton Orient (12/1) the only other club priced at odds shorter than 25/1. Northampton have started well but their long odds reflect their status as outsiders and, as said, at odds of 5/1, Portsmouth are our League Two outright winner betting tip.