We are less than one month away from the National League‘s kick off. Expectations are high for several teams to earn promotion to the Football League. Last season, Leyton Orient and Salford City both earned promotion to League Two. The two clubs had been near the top of the table all term and got their just rewards for great seasons. Non-league football fans can follow their teams all season long and with this bonus code can wager on them to win each week.
With the season nearly ready to kick off, we look at some of the clubs who should fight for the National League title and promotion this term.
Chesterfield
Chesterfield is favored by sportsbooks as we build to the season. It isn’t easy being the bookies’ preseason favourite to win the National League and the pressure could weigh heavily on them.
The club finished 14th last term in the league. It is a major jump to finish 14th and win the league the next term but that is the nature of lower league football. One signing could change things for the club.
Manager John Sheridan is looking for two strikers to add to his squad. He will need those strikers to replace injured Tom Denton, who is recovering from surgery. Chesterfield has already brought in former Doncaster Rovers forward Liam Mandeville. He scored 15 goals in 64 games for Rovers during a four-year spell at the club.
Notts County
Notts County will play their first ever season in non-league football this year. The Magpies spent 157 continuous years in the Football League but will now experience life outside League Two.
The Magpies have already started preseason with a 2-0 win over Nuneaton Town and will hope to continue the momentum over to the season. While things may be okay on the pitch, the same cannot be said about Notts County off of it.
Owner Alan Hardy put the club up for sale last season but has not been able to offload it. Tensions are mounting a Meadow Lane and there could be a player revolt unless issues are resolved.
AFC Fylde
Fylde finished fifth in the National League last term qualifying for the playoffs. The Coasters disappointingly lost to Salford City in the playoff final, 3-0. It was a result that was a poor example of Fylde’s season to that point. They just turned in a bad performance on the day and it just so happened to be in the playoff final.
Fylde rebounded from their playoff disappointment by winning the FA Trophy at Wembley a week later defeating National League winners Leyton Orient, 1-0. The Coasters have already started the preseason well with a win over Championship side Wigan Athletic. It is a win that should give them confidence heading into the National League season.
Manager Dave Challinor and Fylde have released several players this summer already including James Hardy and Andy Bond. Meanwhile, the Coasters have brought in former Tottenham Hotspur winger Mark Yeates. The winger spent the last two seasons with Eastleigh.