Theguardian iconTheguardianAug 12, 2026 ~1 min source read

League One 2026-27 preview: the contenders, hopefuls and strugglers

Russell Martin's new-look Leicester look set to challenge for promotion, while it could be a tough campaign for Notts County and AFC Wimbledon. How did it come to this, that a club crowned Premier League champions a decade ago are down in the third tier?

League One 2026-27 preview: the contenders, hopefuls and strugglers
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Russell Martin's new-look Leicester look set to challenge for promotion, while it could be a tough campaign for Notts County and AFC Wimbledon.

How did it come to this, that a club crowned Premier League champions a decade ago are down in the third tier?

Chronic mismanagement across the board has been Leicester 's problem for too long and they need to reset under Russell Martin.

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Russell Martin's new-look Leicester look set to challenge for promotion, while it could be a tough campaign for Notts County and AFC Wimbledon. How did it come to this, that a club crowned Premier League champions a decade ago are down in the third tier? Chronic mismanagement across the board has been Leicester 's problem for too long and they need to reset under Russell Martin.

How it works

  • Many of the top earners have been shipped out and not much brought in, but there remains enough quality to challenge at this level.
  • Martin has at his disposal plenty of young talents who could finally be given their chance thanks to circumstance and who will be ably supported by Harry Souttar and Stephy Mavididi.

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