League One 2019-20: best handicap bets and free tips

Expectations of an open League One are emphasised by sponsors' Sky Bet’s handicap market which has just 24 points covering the 22 sides who start the season without deductions.

The division, however, is as unlikely to be as tight as the handicap suggests – because it rarely is.

Last season 23 points separated 6th from 19th with a humping great 53 points between champions Luton and backmarkers Bradford. The season before 62 points separated top from bottom.

• League One match bets

The actual top four in 2018-19 – Luton, Barnsley, Charlton and Portsmouth – also ended up as the top four on the handicap, with the exception of a couple of firms where sixth-placed Doncaster sneaked in.

The lesser sides rarely get enough of a leg-up from their handicap start.

Accrington, for example, might overachieve this term and finish eighth on 64 points. But adding just 24 on the handicap they would still be unlikely to nick a place in a market where 90 points is usually the bare minimum.

• League One View from the Dugout: Portsmouth manager Kenny Jackett

Peterborough and Portsmouth have been suggested in the outright market and both sides logically make even more appeal on the handicap at better odds. They are giving points all over the place to the lesser lights, but far fewer than they arguably should be.

Recommendations
Peterborough +6
2pts each-way 18-1 Sky Bet
Portsmouth +3
2pts each-way 18-1 Sky Bet

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