![\"Northampton](\"http:\/\/www.fiveminutesspare.com\/football\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/18\/2022\/08\/shutterstock_1755415778-300x176.jpg\")
Image: Stadium Sixfields, \/Shutterstock.com<\/p><\/div>\n
We can make a case for at least half a dozen teams but given we have to choose one we are plumping for Northampton Town who were a tad unlucky not to be promoted last season.\u00a0 They lost out on automatic promotion last season thanks to a crazy final day which saw Bristol Rovers win 7-0 to pip them on goals scored!<\/p>\n
There has been a bit of turnover in the squad, but they actually look a little better for it. We particularly like the signing of Danny Hylton from Championship side Luton. He is a proven goal scored at this level. Overall they look to have amassed a decent mix of youth and experience and manager Jon Brady has been with the team since 2016 managing their U16 & U18 sides before stepping up.<\/p>\n
Automatic Promotion<\/h2>\n
Stockport County will be full of confidence following their impressive season last year and it’s not unusual for the Conference Champion to figure. They will have plenty of backing and they have managed to retain manager Dave Challinor who was instrumental in their success. They have added depth to the squad, mainly via free transfers, however, they did pay \u00a345k for Welsh CB Joe Lewis. That looks like a bargain and they should have a bit of money available in January if needed too.<\/p>\n
With a summer under his belt, we expect Mark Hughes to have got Bradford’s squad the way he wants it and with their huge home crowds (well for league two) they should finally stop underachieving.<\/p>\n
Playoff Contenders<\/h2>\n
Mansfield reached the playoff final last year but failed to put in much of a performance, losing 3-0 to Port Vale. However, they have a quality manager in Nigel Clough and plenty of experience in the squad. They should make the playoffs and could push for automatic promotion. Salford has added a former Manchester United coach as manager which is either a shrewd move or nepotism. Time will tell but they again should be in the top half.<\/p>\n
Gillingham was relegated on the last day and even this was on goal difference. They were quite hard to beat last season and they have added a couple of goalkeepers which should help with those odd-goal defeats<\/p>\n
How Will the Newly Promoted Teams fare?<\/h3>\n
The gap between the National League and EFL League Two is not great and we fully expect Stockport to give a good account of themselves. However, Grimsby might find things a bit hard and they were maybe a tad lucky to get promoted. They should stay up but a bottom-half finish is likely and a relegation struggle is possible.<\/p>\n
EFL League Two Relegation candidates<\/h3>\n
Hartlepool have had some painful losses staff wise and we can see them struggling to adjust in such a short space of time<\/p>\n
Colchester United, Barrow and newly promoted Grimsby loo like being in the relegation dog fight.<\/p>\n
Anyway here is how we see the table finishing…<\/p>\n
EFL League Two Final Table Prediction<\/h2>\n
1 Northampton Town
\n2 Stockport County
\n3 Bradford City
\n4 Mansfield Town
\n5 Salford City
\n6 Gillingham
\n7 Walsall
\n8 Leyton Orient
\n9 Tranmere Rovers
\n10 Carlisle United
\n11 Newport County
\n12 Sutton United
\n13 AFC Wimbledon
\n14 Doncaster Rovers
\n15 Swindon Town
\n16 Harrogate Town
\n17 Crawley Town
\n18 Stevenage
\n19 Rochdale
\n20 Crewe Alexandra
\n21 Grimsby Town
\n22 Barrow
\n23 Colchester United
\n24 Hartlepool United<\/p>\n
Playoff Final\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Mansfield Town beating Gillingham<\/strong><\/p>\n So there we have it, our predictions for 2022-23. Why not check out our most recent EFL League Two<\/a> posts while you are here, or have a go at one of our growing bank of Football Quizzes.<\/p>\n You can check last year’s prediction here<\/a> too if you are curious.<\/p>\n