Steve Freeth's EFL League One betting update

We’re over a third of the way through the 2023/24 League One season and bet365's Steve Freeth covers the latest stories and betting markets after a fascinating start in England’s third tier.

Portsmouth are currently perched at the top of the table with Oxford United and Bolton Wanderers in hot pursuit.

Rooted to the foot of the table is Reading, whose off-field uncertainty has cast a shadow on their survival hopes, whilst just above them sit Cheltenham Town, who are starting to see shoots of recovery under Darrell Clarke.

The play-off race is finely poised with Peterborough United, Stevenage and Barnsley currently occupying the top six. Derby County and Blackpool are also in contention, with a number of teams looking to make ground.

Title fight

Three teams are separated by a point at the top of the table as the battle for automatic promotion intensifies.

John Mousinho has earned plenty of plaudits with Portsmouth top of the table and unbeaten after 16 matches. Pompey are one of only two sides yet to suffer a league defeat in England’s top four tiers and are 11/8 favourites to be crowned League One champions.

In the title hunt and priced at 7/2 is Oxford United, who announced on Thursday the appointment of Des Buckingham as their new manager.

After a run of five straight league wins, Bolton (10/3) are the form team in League One and Ian Evatt’s side are expected to go the distance as they seek a return to the Championship for the first time since 2019.

Play-off battle

Peterborough United, Barnsley, Derby County and Blackpool were all expected to be in the promotion mix but it’s Stevenage that are currently ruffling a few feathers in the play-off race.

Steve Evans’ outfit have followed up their promotion campaign with an impressive start to the season, beating the likes of Derby and Wycombe in recent weeks and are now 15/2 to secure back-to-back promotions.

Pressure is on Paul Warne at Derby, with the Rams failing to live up their billing as title favourites so far, their title odds drifting to 12/1.

Cheltenham's road to recovery

Cheltenham Town endured a horrendous start to the campaign under Wade Elliott, setting the record for the longest run without a goal at the start of a season; across 12 matches in all competitions.

Turning to Darrell Clarke to improve their survival hopes, the Robins have started to put points on the board but are still 1/7 to be relegated.

Top Goalscorer

Proving himself to be a prolific finisher in the third tier with Cheltenham, Alfie May has continued his goalscoring antics with Charlton Athletic.

The 30-year-old leads the charts with 12 goals for the campaign and is currently the 5/2 favourite in the Top Goalscorer market.

Behind him on 11 goals is Devante Cole (4/1) with two more players currently on 10, one of which Steve Freeth is backing for the Top Goalscorer gong.

Any odds displayed were correct at the time of writing and are subject to fluctuation.