The 2022-23 National League season gets underway on the 6th of August this year due to the World Cup and the division is back to 24 teams this time. The good news this year is that every team will be starting on a level playing field with no point deductions, however, four will face the drop and the playoffs are remaining as was, with teams 2-6 batting it out for the second Football league Place.
Anyway now we have got the preamble out of the way it’s time for our predictions. We tipped Stockport last year and they duly obliged however Notts County our other promotion prediction missed out. Will they go one better this time?
National League Winners
We would like to be original, however its hard to see past Wrexham for champions. This will be their 14th season out of the league but with a deep squad and vocal home support, they should go one better this time around. Also having a Hollywood A- Listed as an owner doesn’t hurt!
Image: Featureflash Photo Agency/Shutterstock.com
Playoff Contenders
Notts County will be playing in their fourth non-leage season this time and they have never finished lower than 5th. They lost in extra time to eventual promotion winners Grimsby in the playoffs last season and a playoff place is the least we expect for them. Losing manager Ian Burchnall is a concern however we think they will grab that second playoff place.
The final playoff seedings could go down to the wire and we expect good showings from several clubs but think that Chesterfield, Solihull Mors and Possibly Southend could be their main challengers.
How will the relegated Teams fare?
Not too well we fear! Oldham fans will be expecting a quick return, however, adjusting to life in the Conference is hard. Plus Oldham will have a target on their backs given they were one of the teams who played in the first ever Premier League season back in 1992-93. Non-League fans have long memories!
Scunthorpe like Oldham has had a fall from grace, being regulars in tier two in the late 2000s. However, the last five seasons have been pretty dismal and they have had to make wholesale changes following their relegation. We think they might struggle especially early and although we don’t see them going down they may have some anxious weeks.
National League Relegation candidates
Last year picking who went down was a lot easier given Dover’s point deduction and Weymouth’s woes. This time it should be a lot closer and although both Wealdstone & Woking surprised up we think doing it this time will be hard.
Surprise Team
We think Dorking Wanderers will make a few people take note. They have been promoted 12 times in 22 years and look to have the finances available to survive and consolidate. Gateshead & York who were both promoted from the Conference North should also both survive while the 4th promoted team Maidstone might make it a foursome for the new additions.
Anyway here is how we see it panning out…
National League Final Table Prediction
1 Wrexham
2 Chesterfield
3 Notts County
4 Solihull Moors
5 Bromley
6 Boreham Wood
7 Southend United
8 Torquay United
9 Dagenham & Redbridge
10 FC Halifax Town
11 Gateshead
12 Dorking Wanderers
13 Altrincham
14 Yeovil Town
15 Oldham Athletic
16 York City
17 Maidstone United
18 Eastleigh
19 Maidenhead United
20 Scunthorpe United
21 Woking
22 Aldershot Town
23 Barnet
24 Wealdstone
Playoff Final Chesterfield vs Notts County (promoted)
So there we have it, our predictions for the National League in 2022-23. Why not check out our recent Football posts while you are here, or have a go at one of our growing bank of Football Quizzes.
