Following last season’s promotion of Hartlepool, Walsall and Swindon, the division looks short of quality which should see big spending Peterborough storm their way to promotion. That’s what the bookmakers think, anyway.

Here we take a look at who has the best chance of escaping the “dungeon” and who will be battling to avoid dropping out of the Football League all together.

First up, the promotion candidates: 

Peterborough United
The bookmakers favourite due to being backed by Darragh MacAnthony’s millions. Last season’s late rally was not enough to reach the play-offs but automatic promotion has to be the objective this term. Walsall ever-presents Dean Keates and Chris Westwood will boost the team but manager Darren Ferguson has also dipped his toes into the non league market to pick up gems such as striker Rene Howe from Kettering, Chris Whelpdale from Billericay and Kieron Charnock from Northwich for a song.
To Win League Two Outright 5.0 (Betfred - £25 in Free Bets!)
Promotion 1.83 (Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets!)

MK Dons
The bookmaker’s second favourites for promotion but still some way off Peterborough. They have a new manager in Paul Ince after Martin Allen joined Leicester but have managed to keep hold of 24-goal Izale McLeod. Strike partner Clive Platt, who netted 18 times last season, joined Colchester in a £300,000 deal and Ince moved quickly to make QPR striker Kevin Gallen his first signing. The veteran of 366 league appearances for the Hoops could prove deadly at this level.
To Win League Two Outright 11.0 (Extrabet - £25 in Free Bets!)
Promotion 3.25 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)

Bradford City
It is hard to imagine that just seven years ago Bradford were playing Premiership football and now they are down with the dregs. The bookmaker’s see them as third favourites and manager Stuart McCall has brought in a pair of wily old pros in Barry Conlon and former £1.7 million striker Peter Thorne to replace veteran Dean Windass who joined Hull.
To Win League Two Outright 13.0 (VCBet - £50 in Free Bets!)
Promotion 3.5 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)

Chesterfield
If you fancy a longer odds shot, Chesterfield could give you a good run for your money. New manager Lee Richardson has made some quality additions to the squad in striker Jack Lester from Nottingham Forest and Carlisle’s veteran defender Kevin Gray. In Jamie Ward, they have a player of real quality, with the former Aston Villa youngster scoring three goals in nine appearances from midfield following his January switch from Torquay United.
To Win League Two Outright 15.0 (Sporting Odds - £100 in Free Bets!)
Promotion 4.0 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)

Brentford
Brentford finished rock-bottom in League One last season despite going the first eight games of the campaign unbeaten. Like many clubs in this division, wholesale changes to the playing staff have been made, with manager Terry Butcher axing 10 of last year’s underachievers including Lloyd Owusu and Neil Shipperley. Butcher has brought in goalkeeper Simon Brown and Walsall’s Craig Pead on free transfers but while the Bees are up there with the bookmaker’s favourites, the play-offs may be a more realistic target.
To Win League Two Outright 17.0 (Extrabet - £25 in Free Bets!)
Promotion 4.5 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)

Here are those likely to be fighting for survival:

Accrington Stanley
Survival will be the objective again for John Coleman’s side, who the bookmakers list as favourites for the drop and he has strengthened the squad with the arrivals of Partick Thistle goalkeeper Kenny Arthur, Burton midfielder Paul Carden and Macclesfield striker John Miles.
Relegation 4.5 (Bet365 - £100 in Free Bets!)

Bury 
Bury have spent the past few seasons languishing in the lower reaches of the division and ended the last campaign fourth from bottom. Manager Chris Casper has signed two decent defenders in Lincoln’s Paul Morgan and Peterborough’s Ben Futcher as he looks to plug a defence which conceded 35 goals at home – the worst record in the division, but it’s going to be another long, hard season for the Shakers.
Relegation 5.0 (Paddy Power - £25 in Free Bets!)

Barnet
Barnet ended last season in a comfortable mid table position but the new campaign could be a much more difficult prospect. The squad looks threadbare after 13 players left the club including Simon King, Barry Cogan and Nick Bailey. Without reinforcements Paul Fairclough’s side could see themselves dragged into a relegation battle.
Relegation 6.0 (Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets!)

Morecambe
After winning promotion from the Conference last season, survival is key. Matt Blinkhorn, who netted eight goals in 12 appearances on loan from Blackpool last season, has made a permanent switch to Christie Park but Danny Carlton, who struck the winning goal in the play-off final against Exeter, moved to Carlisle for an undisclosed fee.
Relegation 6.0 (Ladbrokes - £20 in Free Bets!)

For a more detailed preview of all 24 teams in League Two, please enter your name and email address into the form at the top of this page to download a free 39 page 2007-08 season preview for the Football League!