EFL League One Betting Tips

EFL League One 2026/27: Opening Matchday Fixtures

The new campaign kicks off on Saturday, August 15, 2026, featuring highly anticipated clashes for clubs newly relegated from the Championship and those fresh from promotion.

Saturday, August 15, 2026

Notts County vs Leicester City (12:30 BST)
Oxford United vs Milton Keynes Dons (12:30 BST)
Reading vs Luton Town (12:30 BST)
Barnsley vs Bromley (15:00 BST)
Blackpool vs Wycombe Wanderers (15:00 BST)
Bradford City vs Peterborough United (15:00 BST)
Burton Albion vs Stevenage (15:00 BST)
Cambridge United vs Wigan Athletic (15:00 BST)
Huddersfield Town vs AFC Wimbledon (15:00 BST)
Leyton Orient vs Sheffield Wednesday (15:00 BST)
Mansfield Town vs Doncaster Rovers (15:00 BST)
Plymouth Argyle vs Stockport County (15:00 BST)

Opening Weekend Predictions

Here are our key predictions for the standout fixtures on Matchday 1:

Notts County vs Leicester City: An incredible opening fixture that pits a newly-promoted League Two side against a sleeping giant dropping down from the Championship. Leicester will face a hostile atmosphere but should possess enough quality to take a narrow away win.
Reading vs Luton Town: Two traditional clubs looking to set a marker for a promotion push early on. Home advantage at the Select Car Leasing Stadium could play a role, making a hard-fought home victory for Reading a strong possibility.
Leyton Orient vs Sheffield Wednesday: Sheffield Wednesday will look to get their League One campaign off to a flying start after dropping divisions. Leyton Orient are notoriously stubborn at home, so expect this one to finish as an entertaining score draw.
Barnsley vs Bromley: Bromley's historic rise into the third tier sees them hand a tough away opener at Oakwell. While Bromley will bring plenty of energy and defensive discipline, Barnsley should comfortably claim all three points.

Claim Your Free Bet

About EFL League One

The English Football League One is the second-highest division of the English Football League and the third most important division in the football league system in England after the Premier League and the Championship. The tournament under the current name was founded in 2004.

From 1920 until 1992, the third division in the English football league system was the Football League Division Three (subdivided further into the Football League Division Three North and the Football League Division Three South from 1921 to 1958); from 1992 to 2004 it was the Football League Second Division.

At the end of each season, the teams that took first and second place in League One, as well as one team that won the playoffs, advance to the Championship. Teams finishing 21st, 22nd, 23rd and 24th are relegated to League Two.

The league consists of 24 teams. During the season, which lasts from August to May, each team meets every other team twice: once at home and once at the opponent's field.

Thus, the season for each club consists of 46 matches. For a win, a team receives three points, and for a draw, one point. Points are not awarded if the team loses. The places at the end of the season are determined by points earned, if there is an equality, by the difference between goals scored and conceded, then by the number of goals scored.

If after that it is not possible to determine the winner, the teams occupy the same line of the standings. If it is also necessary to determine the champion or the team that will leave the championship, as well as the team that qualifies for other tournaments, an additional play-off match is scheduled on a neutral field.

At the end of each season, the top two teams and the playoff winner advance to the Championship, while the bottom four teams with the fewest points at the end of the season are relegated to League Two.

The League One Playoffs is a mini-tournament for teams that at the end of the season took places from the third to the sixth; the winner of the playoffs receives a ticket to the Championship. As part of the playoffs, the third team plays against the sixth team, the fourth team plays against the fifth.

Two teams play two games in the semi-finals (home and away). The winners of each semi-final meet in a one-legged final. The teams that finished the last four places in League 1 are relegated to League 2.

Their place in League One is taken by four new teams from League Two: the teams that finished in the first three places and the winner of the League Two play-off (for which the teams that finished the season on the ground qualify) fourth to seventh).

Online Watching Guide for England League One

We recommend Stake.com for League One live streaming. You can watch EFL League One on your mobile device, laptop, PC, tablet or tablet by following these steps:

Sign up for a new account at Stake (or log in)
Click on the link for In-Play or Sign in to watching
Pick the match that you want to watch

Remember to check local listings and streaming platforms for the most up-to-date information on League One matches. Enjoy the exciting football action!