Salford City have been tipped to win the League Two title, but Bradford City must negotiate the play-offs if they want to win promotion.
Those are the two stand-out findings from bettingexpert’s supercomputer study into the upcoming season.
The other two automatic promotion spots are predicted to be taken by Mansfield and newly-relegated Bristol Rovers.
Leyton Orient, under new boss Kenny Jackett, are backed to secure the final playoff spot, while newly-promoted Hartlepool should avoid the drop.
The same cannot be said for fellow newcomers Sutton, who are expected to finish rock bottom despite winning the National League title last season.
The forecast was put together by bettingexpert using an algorithm that analyses informative betting markets including title winner, promotion and relegation.
A bettingexpert spokesperson said: “Gary Neville’s Salford look to be the obvious favourites for promotion from League Two but beyond them it could be a close battle for the remaining spots.
“Expect a real scrap for the playoff places, and for the teams looking to avoid the dreaded drop into non-league.
“For Barrow, and especially Sutton, a brief stay in the Football League could come to a swift end.”
Predicted final table
1. Salford
2. Bristol Rovers
3. Mansfield
4. Forest Green
5. Bradford
6. Exeter
7. Leyton Orient
8. Tranmere
9. Northampton
10. Port Vale
11. Carlisle
12. Newport
13. Rochdale
14. Colchester
15. Walsall
16. Swindon
17. Oldham
18. Harrogate
19. Scunthorpe
20. Crawley Town
21. Hartlepool
22. Stevenage
23. Barrow
24. Sutton
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