In a 2015/2016 season filled with surprise results, incredible runs and the usual drama, Wigan and Burton were automatically promoted to the Championship, along with play-off winners Barnsley, whilst Doncaster, Colchester, Crewe and Blackpool were relegated to League Two. The 2016/2017 season promises to be an exciting one, with recently relegated MK Dons, Bolton and Charlton all hoping to bounce straight back to the second division, along with the other 'big names' such as Sheffield United, Coventry and Millwall. However last season proved that a big budget isn't always the key, as Burton Albion produced a stunning season, based on teamwork and hardwork, which proved enough to earn the Brewers second straight promotion and a first ever season in the Championship. For my own team, Rochdale, producing a season similar to Burton's would be fantastic, as although we have the smallest budget in League One, we have a fantastic young squad and manager, and Keith Hill will of course want to improve having just missed out on the playoffs in each of the previous seasons since promotion.
In my opinion, Charlton and Sheffield United must be considered the favourites to go up, due to their financial strength and squad depth, whilst Scunthorpe are my dark horses after a strong ending to last season. Millwall and MK Dons also have strong squads and I predict playoffs for both of those teams. Port Vale, too could be dark horses this season as their array of foreign signings and new Portuguese manager Bruno Ribeiro look very good on paper, yet I can still see them struggling if the players fail to adapt quickly. Although I have placed both of Rochdale's rival teams, Bury and Oldham, to go down in my table prediction, I can ensure this is in no way a biased view. Both clubs continue to spend money they simply do not have, and last season at Blackpool showed how internal problems at a club can cause the team to struggle on the field as well as off. Another one of my tips for relegation are Wimbledon, a team I very much admire after their exploits last season and their fantastic overall progression as a club, yet I fear League One could be too much of a step up and although they may surprise a few early on I think relegation seems the most likely outcome. Finally I think Shrewsbury will struggle, as they are without Sulley Kaikai on loan from Crystal Palace, a man who's 12 goals arguably saved them from the drop last season.
1st - Charlton: Russell Slade is an experienced manager and they have one of the best squads in the league, boosted by the signings of Nicky Ajose and Lee Novak from Swindon and Chesterfield respectively.
2nd - Millwall: Holding on to Lee Gregory has been key, and the losing playoff finalists from last season should have the players to improve on last season's finish and claim an automatic spot.
3rd - Sheffield United: Always predicted to do well, but I feel this could be their year under new manager Chris Wilder. Although star youngster Che Adams may leave, Billy Sharp's goals along with the shrewd signing of Jack O'Connell should secure them a playoff spot at the very least.
4th - MK Dons: Conceded a lot of goals in the championship this season but they have the players and the experience to mount a strong challenge at the top of League One again. Sticking with manager Karl Robinson should prove a good decision.
5th - Rochdale: Maybe a little biased, but this is arguably the best squad ever seen at Rochdale, containing the likes of Jamie Allen and Callum Camps; who was recently named the best young talent outside the Premier League. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will also be key, and if the squad pulls together, this season could be a special one for the Dale.
6th - Peterborough: Grant McCann knows the team inside out, give him some time and I think things will go very well for the Posh this year. Marcus Maddison and new signing Jerome Binnom-Williams could prove instrumental if they are to reach the playoffs.
7th - Scunthorpe: The Iron were brilliant once Graham Alexander took over towards the end of last season, and although their squad isn't the strongest I think they could be ones to watch. Paddy Madden will score goals for them, and a midfield of Stephen Dawson and Sam Mantom will be tough to break down.
8th - Bolton: They have a very strong squad but financial stability should be the main goal. New manager Phil Parkinson may try to implement the same style of football that proved successful at Bradford, but I think he will need time to adapt. If they can keep hold of key players such as the much-sought-after Zach Clough then they may excel.
9th - Bradford: Reached the playoffs last year and although they haven't lost any key players the loss of Parkinson to Bradford will have a huge impact. Romain Vincelot from Coventry should be a good signing and Stuart McCall may succeed eventually, but for me this is a season of transition for the Bantams.
10th - Coventry: Without a top 6 finish in 46 years I fear the wait may go on for the Sky Blues. Despite a very strong start in last year's campaign they fell away rather dramatically, and may struggle without the loan signings which proved so effective in the early season. Armstrong, Murphy and Vincelot will be big misses.
11th - Oxford: The £3 million received from Kemar Roofe's transfer to Leeds should be re-invested and under the stewardship of Michael Appleton I feel they will do the best out of the promoted clubs.
12th - Gillingham: Like Coventry, Gillingham started the season brilliantly but ultimately they missed out on the playoffs after a disappointing run of form. Justin Edinburgh should see them through to a top half finish despite losing influential captain John Egan to Brentford, but they may struggle if last year's League One player of the season Bradley Dack fails to replicate his form from last season, or indeed earns a transfer to a team in a higher league.
13th - Port Vale - As previously discussed, Vale could go either way this season, so I've just put them slap bang in the middle of my prediction. Playoffs should be the aim with the money that has been invested.
14th - Walsall: Another team that fell away last season before being well and truly beaten by a rampant Barnsley in the playoffs. The loss of key attackers Tom Bradshaw and Romaine Sawyers to Championship teams is the main reason I think they won't do as well as last season.
15th - Chesterfield: The Spireites struggled for any real consistency last season but under Danny Wilson they will improve. Controversial signing Ched Evans will score goals and young winger Gboly Arriyibi looked very impressive when I saw him last season but defensive issues remain.
16th - Fleetwood: The Cod Army just avoided relegation last season, but they have made some good signings including Ashley Eastham from Rochdale. Initially I put them down for relegation but with the announcement of new manager Uwe Rosler during the week, I believe they have enough to stay clear of the drop.
17th - Swindon: The Robins have an inexperienced manager in Luke Williams and last season they struggled without the loan signings which had been so successful the season before. Nicky Ajose is a big loss but they should have the players to stay up.
18th - Bristol Rovers: Last season's top scorer Matty Taylor signing a new contract was a real statement of intent from the club and I think his goals should be enough to keep the Pirates up. Darrell Clarke is a good manager and he should get the best out of his players, but they don't yet have the talent to challenge higher up the league.
19th - Southend: Enjoyed a good first season in League One following their promotion last year but I feel as if this year they will struggle. Losing Jack Payne and Daniel Bentley will hurt them, and frankly, the signing of Nile Ranger, a player who is more well known for his disciplinary issues than his goals, would worry me if I were a Southend fan.
20th - Northampton: The Cobblers had a fantastic season in League Two last year, claiming 99 points in the process. However they have lost manager Chris Wilder to Sheffield United which may see them struggle. Experienced strikers Alex Revell and Marc Richards will relied upon to score the goals in order to keep them up.
21st - Shrewsbury: Although the Salop have made several signings this summer, the only one that stands out to me is the signings of Jim O'Brien, a player who has always impressed me. However it is defensive frailties that will cost Shrewsbury this season, especially with the loss of key defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival to Bradford, and I'm not sure they've got enough to escape the drop.
22nd - Bury: Unfortunately for Bury I feel as if this is the season where their problems off the field will truly harm them. Manager David Flitcroft seemed to have no qualms in splashing the cash on big name players such as Chris Eagles and Leon Clarke, with performances not really justifying the sort of wages they will have had to pay. Although the Shakers have received a small windfall following Clarke's transfer to Sheffield United, they now arguably have nobody to score their goals.
23rd - Oldham: Although Oldhamhave brought in plenty of new signings such as Peter Clarke from neighbours Bury, losing manager John Sheridan will cost them, as he saved them from relegation last season. This season, however I can see them really struggling.
24th - Wimbledon: Although I'm hoping to be proved wrong on this one, I fear that Wimbledon simply don't have the quality to stay up in this division. An over-reliance on star striker Lyle Taylor may cost them if he leaves or is injured, and the club don't have the financial resources to bring in the sort of players required to survive.
James Moorhouse
In my opinion, Charlton and Sheffield United must be considered the favourites to go up, due to their financial strength and squad depth, whilst Scunthorpe are my dark horses after a strong ending to last season. Millwall and MK Dons also have strong squads and I predict playoffs for both of those teams. Port Vale, too could be dark horses this season as their array of foreign signings and new Portuguese manager Bruno Ribeiro look very good on paper, yet I can still see them struggling if the players fail to adapt quickly. Although I have placed both of Rochdale's rival teams, Bury and Oldham, to go down in my table prediction, I can ensure this is in no way a biased view. Both clubs continue to spend money they simply do not have, and last season at Blackpool showed how internal problems at a club can cause the team to struggle on the field as well as off. Another one of my tips for relegation are Wimbledon, a team I very much admire after their exploits last season and their fantastic overall progression as a club, yet I fear League One could be too much of a step up and although they may surprise a few early on I think relegation seems the most likely outcome. Finally I think Shrewsbury will struggle, as they are without Sulley Kaikai on loan from Crystal Palace, a man who's 12 goals arguably saved them from the drop last season.
1st - Charlton: Russell Slade is an experienced manager and they have one of the best squads in the league, boosted by the signings of Nicky Ajose and Lee Novak from Swindon and Chesterfield respectively.
2nd - Millwall: Holding on to Lee Gregory has been key, and the losing playoff finalists from last season should have the players to improve on last season's finish and claim an automatic spot.
3rd - Sheffield United: Always predicted to do well, but I feel this could be their year under new manager Chris Wilder. Although star youngster Che Adams may leave, Billy Sharp's goals along with the shrewd signing of Jack O'Connell should secure them a playoff spot at the very least.
4th - MK Dons: Conceded a lot of goals in the championship this season but they have the players and the experience to mount a strong challenge at the top of League One again. Sticking with manager Karl Robinson should prove a good decision.
5th - Rochdale: Maybe a little biased, but this is arguably the best squad ever seen at Rochdale, containing the likes of Jamie Allen and Callum Camps; who was recently named the best young talent outside the Premier League. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing will also be key, and if the squad pulls together, this season could be a special one for the Dale.
6th - Peterborough: Grant McCann knows the team inside out, give him some time and I think things will go very well for the Posh this year. Marcus Maddison and new signing Jerome Binnom-Williams could prove instrumental if they are to reach the playoffs.
7th - Scunthorpe: The Iron were brilliant once Graham Alexander took over towards the end of last season, and although their squad isn't the strongest I think they could be ones to watch. Paddy Madden will score goals for them, and a midfield of Stephen Dawson and Sam Mantom will be tough to break down.
8th - Bolton: They have a very strong squad but financial stability should be the main goal. New manager Phil Parkinson may try to implement the same style of football that proved successful at Bradford, but I think he will need time to adapt. If they can keep hold of key players such as the much-sought-after Zach Clough then they may excel.
9th - Bradford: Reached the playoffs last year and although they haven't lost any key players the loss of Parkinson to Bradford will have a huge impact. Romain Vincelot from Coventry should be a good signing and Stuart McCall may succeed eventually, but for me this is a season of transition for the Bantams.
10th - Coventry: Without a top 6 finish in 46 years I fear the wait may go on for the Sky Blues. Despite a very strong start in last year's campaign they fell away rather dramatically, and may struggle without the loan signings which proved so effective in the early season. Armstrong, Murphy and Vincelot will be big misses.
11th - Oxford: The £3 million received from Kemar Roofe's transfer to Leeds should be re-invested and under the stewardship of Michael Appleton I feel they will do the best out of the promoted clubs.
12th - Gillingham: Like Coventry, Gillingham started the season brilliantly but ultimately they missed out on the playoffs after a disappointing run of form. Justin Edinburgh should see them through to a top half finish despite losing influential captain John Egan to Brentford, but they may struggle if last year's League One player of the season Bradley Dack fails to replicate his form from last season, or indeed earns a transfer to a team in a higher league.
13th - Port Vale - As previously discussed, Vale could go either way this season, so I've just put them slap bang in the middle of my prediction. Playoffs should be the aim with the money that has been invested.
14th - Walsall: Another team that fell away last season before being well and truly beaten by a rampant Barnsley in the playoffs. The loss of key attackers Tom Bradshaw and Romaine Sawyers to Championship teams is the main reason I think they won't do as well as last season.
15th - Chesterfield: The Spireites struggled for any real consistency last season but under Danny Wilson they will improve. Controversial signing Ched Evans will score goals and young winger Gboly Arriyibi looked very impressive when I saw him last season but defensive issues remain.
16th - Fleetwood: The Cod Army just avoided relegation last season, but they have made some good signings including Ashley Eastham from Rochdale. Initially I put them down for relegation but with the announcement of new manager Uwe Rosler during the week, I believe they have enough to stay clear of the drop.
17th - Swindon: The Robins have an inexperienced manager in Luke Williams and last season they struggled without the loan signings which had been so successful the season before. Nicky Ajose is a big loss but they should have the players to stay up.
18th - Bristol Rovers: Last season's top scorer Matty Taylor signing a new contract was a real statement of intent from the club and I think his goals should be enough to keep the Pirates up. Darrell Clarke is a good manager and he should get the best out of his players, but they don't yet have the talent to challenge higher up the league.
19th - Southend: Enjoyed a good first season in League One following their promotion last year but I feel as if this year they will struggle. Losing Jack Payne and Daniel Bentley will hurt them, and frankly, the signing of Nile Ranger, a player who is more well known for his disciplinary issues than his goals, would worry me if I were a Southend fan.
20th - Northampton: The Cobblers had a fantastic season in League Two last year, claiming 99 points in the process. However they have lost manager Chris Wilder to Sheffield United which may see them struggle. Experienced strikers Alex Revell and Marc Richards will relied upon to score the goals in order to keep them up.
21st - Shrewsbury: Although the Salop have made several signings this summer, the only one that stands out to me is the signings of Jim O'Brien, a player who has always impressed me. However it is defensive frailties that will cost Shrewsbury this season, especially with the loss of key defender Nathaniel Knight-Percival to Bradford, and I'm not sure they've got enough to escape the drop.
22nd - Bury: Unfortunately for Bury I feel as if this is the season where their problems off the field will truly harm them. Manager David Flitcroft seemed to have no qualms in splashing the cash on big name players such as Chris Eagles and Leon Clarke, with performances not really justifying the sort of wages they will have had to pay. Although the Shakers have received a small windfall following Clarke's transfer to Sheffield United, they now arguably have nobody to score their goals.
23rd - Oldham: Although Oldhamhave brought in plenty of new signings such as Peter Clarke from neighbours Bury, losing manager John Sheridan will cost them, as he saved them from relegation last season. This season, however I can see them really struggling.
24th - Wimbledon: Although I'm hoping to be proved wrong on this one, I fear that Wimbledon simply don't have the quality to stay up in this division. An over-reliance on star striker Lyle Taylor may cost them if he leaves or is injured, and the club don't have the financial resources to bring in the sort of players required to survive.
James Moorhouse