Everyone will no doubt be talking about the Premiership for the majority of the next nine months or so but the division that I am most excited about is League One.

With Leeds United failing to get promotion in the play off final and Leicester City getting relegated in a double shock at the end of last season we have two huge teams in the division which will no doubt dominate outright backers thoughts.

Peterborough United are entering the division on a wave of expectation as the son of Alex Ferguson, Darren, is leading somewhat of a revolution at the Cambridgeshire club.

With no real standouts in the market things are expected to be tight in terms of relegation but remember, with ante-post football season bets, there is always value to be had.

In terms of the outright market there is a real standout team for me. Leicester City have had a pretty torrid time since Milan Mandaric has taken over the club, but it is pretty obvious that relegation will have proved a real shock to the system for Mandaric and therefore he will no doubt realise the importance of stability at the club. 

The club have the right mix of defensive nous and strikers capable of scoring twenty plus goals in the division. Steve Howard, Barry Hayles and DJ Campbell have a goal scoring pedigree in lower leagues along with a wealth of experience which should point to plenty of goals. In addition the club has signed veteran striker Paul Dickov today and you must realise, Dickov was a premiership player just last season with Manchester City.

In terms of defence the club have retained an absolute rock at the back in Australian centre half Patrick Kisnorbo and young starlet Joe Mattock that has attracted several Premiership suitors. Perhaps the biggest move of all defensively was the coup of signing Bulgarian International defender Alexsander Tunchev who could prove to be one of the buys of the season.

In terms of squad depth and quality, there really is no alternative to Leicester, however my one note of caution is the quick fire trigger of Milan Mandaric, because although I expect him to show Nigel Pearson some patience it is never easy to tell what unpredictable owners will decide to do next.

Other teams of interest to me for value purposes are Brighton Hove Albion and Millwall.

Brighton have gone back in time a little and took on Micky Adams again as their manager. Some may view this as a backwards move but you really have to look closely at his pedigree as a lower league manager and it is second to none. Having gotten promotion from the old Division Three Adams was cruelly sacked by Fulham in order to get a big name in Kevin Keegan into the club, Adams then did likewise at Brighton and then got Leicester City into the Premiership. A pretty poor time was had for Adams at Coventry City but you can hardly say that he got a fair crack of the whip.

On the playing side of things Brighton have re-signed Adam Virgo from Celtic in order to bolster their defensive ranks, and this should be seen as a really astute move by the Albion and should add an extra dimension in terms of leadership within the ranks. David Livermore is a useful addition to the midfield having signed from Premiership new boys Hull City.

Albion are of little interest in the outright market but appeal greatly in the promotion market, and I for one will be making a small wager on them to gain promotion.

Millwall are a club that is very much looking forward. Having brought in Kenny Jackett to manage part way through last season the club went for an experienced head and it proved worthwhile as he steered them clear of any trouble in some style.

Signing up Tresor Kandol on a six month loan deal is a terrific move as he should score plenty at this level as he proved for Leeds United last season. Other useful additions to the squad were made in the signing of defender Tony Craig signed from Crystal Palace and underrated keeper David Forde who was unattached and could prove to be a hidden gem.

I am by no means expecting Millwall to challenge for the top honours, but since the advent of the play offs, teams from pretty much nowhere can soar to promotion.

In terms of relegation there is a team that sticks out like a sore thumb for me. Milton Keynes Dons as outsiders in the relgation market is an abslute nonsense for me when you consider the following; They have lost their inspirational leader in Paul Ince, they have taken on a rookie manager in Roberto Di Matteo, they have sold one of their best players in Lloyd Dyer and skipper Keith Andrews is unsettled at the the club.

To me, that sounds like a pretty awful position for a newly promoted club to be in. I by no means would make them a market leader in the relegation market because that would be silly considering that as a whole, the club has moved forward somewhat in the last two years after a troubled start to life as a controversial football league addition. It would be very popular with AFC Wimbledon fans if the MK 'Dons' were to get relegated.

RECOMENDATIONS -

2.5 Points Stake on Leicester City Outright @ 7 (Ladbrokes)

1.5 Points Stake on Brighton Hove Albion Promotion @ 8 (Ladbrokes / William Hill)

1 Point Stake on Millwall Promotion @ 12 (Bet365 / Totesport / Coral / William Hill)

0.5 Point Stake on MK Dons to be relegated @ 21 (Totesport / Betfred)

0.5 Point Stake on Steve Howard League One Golden Boot @ 17 (Bluesq / Coral)

Enjoy the season and good luck!

Crafty Stan