Conference Premier
As the tension builds across the country for the 2015-16 season, even at the foundation of the English football hierarchy, teams are strengthening their barracks for a competitive campaign in pursuit of promotion to the Football League.
It’s always a harrowing collapse when a team gets relegated, but it’s an even darker condemnation when falling to non-league levels. Until last season, for nine years teams relegated from League 2 have been cursed with bad omens for immediate promotion – Carlisle in 2005 were the last, before Bristol Rovers last season triumphed the play-offs to return to the holy land.
With Bristol Rovers lifting the nine year curse, it looks as if Tranmere Rovers may follow their lead. Joint favourites with Grimsby Town at 11/2, the Rovers have revamped their failed squad from last season. Although losing some quality, they’ve replaced well – getting in key positions early with Davies, Mangan and Riley all looking good acquisitions. Sadly losing club legend Jason Koumas to retirement, Tranmere will have to replace his leadership and presence if they are to go forward.
The Vanarama National League is a division occupied with dozens of former Football League teams, all looking to climb the ladder back to the Football League frontier. Grimsby Town, 11/2 to win the league, top the list with Football League experience. It’s no hard feat to realise why they’re the favourites, with the largest home and away wins from last season and only narrowly missing out on promotion – and at 11/4 to be promoted, that’s as sure a bet as you’ll get for this league this year.
At the other end of the table, you can definitely expect to see Welling United struggling to remain in the division, having only just surviving last season and going 11 games without a win – eight of those as straight losses – they’re in need of a miracle.
For all Conference Premier Ante Post odds, click here.
Conference South
Daryl McMahon’s Ebbsfleet United, 4/1, and Steve King’s Whitehawk FC, 8/1, stand the best chance at winning the Conference South title this season.
Ebbsfleet have been putting a considerable amount of cash investment into their squad, following up quite the expectation for them to finally go up this season. McMahon is a likeable, knowledgeable coach and has assembled a decent squad ability-wise and with the right start to the season, at 4/1, they’re your best bet.
Whitehawk have only been in the Conference South for two seasons now, but possessing strong financial backing, they’ve been on the rise in the league in both seasons. Now, finally rounding out their squad after a strong campaign last season – finishing just five points short of the title, at 8/1, it’s a close call between them and favourites Ebbsfleet.
A Non-League season full of promise for both divisions, as much as possible sorrow for other clubs, but with omens being broken left, right and centre – and football being football – anything can happen.
For all Conference South odds, click here.
*Odds shown are correct at the time of writing, but are subject to change.
