Racing Post football betting experts pick the winners of Premier League and EFL

Mark Langdon

Divisional picks
Premier League Manchester City
Championship Leeds
League One Portsmouth
League Two Mansfield

Portsmouth were five points clear at the top of Sky Bet League One on New Year's Day and ended up missing out on promotion but they can make amends this time around.

Pompey are around double the price of market leaders Sunderland which is intriguing considering Kenny Jackett's side had been favourites to overcome the Black Cats in the playoffs.

Matt Clarke's departure to Brighton is a big one, although getting the best part of £5m for a centre-back at this level is huge.

Sean Raggett is a threat in both boxes and looks an ideal replacement, while other impressive signings include striker Ellis Harrison and winger Marcus Harness.

The 10-11 offered about Pompey finishing in the top six may well be bet of the season material. They were 16 points superior to seventh last term and this is surely a weaker division without Barnsley and Luton.

• Premier League title contenders

There had been rumours of cutbacks at Mansfield following last term's near miss, but the arrivals of Nicky Maynard and Andy Cook should compensate for the loss of loan star Tyler Walker.

The Stags were definitely the best team not to go up last season and the only question mark surrounds novice boss John Dempster.

Something similar could be said of Fulham in the Championship and Scott Parker could be pipped to the title by wily Marcelo Bielsa at Leeds.

United topped just about every key performance indicator last term and were basically just unlucky not to gain promotion despite loads of theories knocking around as to their late-season woes.

Fulham are well respected and Stoke could go well at a much bigger price than 12 months ago.

Man City should oblige for odds-on backers in the Premier League.

Dan Childs

Divisional picks
Premier League Manchester City
Championship Fulham
League One Portsmouth
League Two Scunthorpe

Champions Manchester City have tamed the Premier League in the last two seasons and look worthy favourites to make it three in a row.

Liverpool did a fantastic job to stay in contention until the final day of last term and fell just short.

Jurgen Klopp's side will have to be equally relentless and that will be difficult if any of their famed front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino or Sadio Mane spend much time on the sidelines.

City often had to cope without Kevin De Bruyne and the Belgian's return to full fitness should make them even stronger.

League One could be dominated by Portsmouth, who are getting stronger under Kenny Jackett, and Scunthorpe look major contenders in League Two after addressing the issues which led to their relegation last term.

Fulham's front line can win them the Championship with Leeds best placed to give them a run for their money.

Aaron Ashley

Divisional Picks
Premier League Manchester City
Championship Fulham
League One Rotherham
League Two Mansfield

Manchester City can fight off Liverpool’s challenge once again and defend their Premier League crown.

Liverpool lack City’s strength in depth and injuries and suspensions are of greater concern to Jurgen Klopp than they are to Pep Guardiola.

• Championship title contenders

The Championship is an intriguing heat but Fulham look the value. The Cottagers have done some excellent business with Anthony Knockaert and Ivan Cavaleiro two exciting arrivals.

Rotherham make each-way appeal in League One. A lot has been made of key players leaving but Freddie Ladapo, Shaun MacDonald and Carlton Morris are three promising recruits, while a big season can be expected from midfielder Matt Crooks.

Mansfield can shine in the fourth tier. The Stags finished nine points off champions Lincoln in fourth last season, but they may have found the winning formula with the signings of strikers Andy Cook and Nicky Maynard.

Kevin Pullein

Divisional Picks
Premier League Manchester City
Championship West Brom
League One Peterborough
League Two Forest Green

Last season West Brom reached 80 points. They won the Championship in 2007-08 with 81 points. Admittedly that was the lowest title-winning total by a Football League team playing 46 games since 1981-82.

• League One title contenders

This season West Brom could stand still or go backwards. One of those possibilities is more likely than an improvement.

And to top the Championship they would probably have to get a lot closer to the average title-winning tally in the Football League, which has been 92 points. But the chance of them improving and by enough may be understated.

Likewise in League One for Peterborough, who last season gained 72 points, and in League Two for Forest Green, who gained 74 points last season.

Manchester City should retain their Premier League crown.

Liam Flin

Divisional Picks
Premier League Manchester City
Championship Leeds
League One Sunderland
League Two Mansfield

Manchester City stormed to the domestic treble last season and are only made stronger by the addition of Rodri from Atletico Madrid.

While the Spaniard provides much-needed support for Fernandinho, their chances are also boosted by having a fully-fit Kevin De Bruyne in their ranks.

• League Two title contenders

Leeds have concluded one of the best pieces of business this summer in retaining manager Marcelo Bielsa and they can build on last term’s third-place finish by wrapping up the title. They have a lethal front line featuring Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford.

Sunderland fell at the final hurdle in 2018-19 with defeat to Charlton in the playoff final but with a full season of third-tier experience under their belt and Jack Ross in the dugout, they look well-equipped to win the title.

Mansfield are another side who can use last season’s playoff heartache to propel them to top spot this time.

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