With pre-season now in full swing across the country, I feel the time is now right for me to reveal my tips for the League One season that beckons.

Promotion: There are obviously a few stand-out contenders that you would expect to be challenging at the top of the division this season. Southampton ended last season very strongly and with a strike force of Rickie Lambert and Lee Barnard they have got two players who are always going to score goals, this has to make them title favourite this year in my eyes.

However, I believe that they will be very ably challenged by Sheffield Wednesday who have brought in some real quality players over the summer. Players like Chris Sedgwick, Neil Mellor and Clinton Morrison are people who would be competent signings for most Championship sides and, combined with the likes of Paul Heffernan, who has proved to be prolific in this division, I think they have got the blend for success just right.

You would think that Charlton would have to be up there come the end of the season. However, losing the likes of Nicky Bailey and Lloyd Sam could prove to be big mistakes for them, as I believe they will struggle to gain promotion once again.

Apart from these; the likes of Huddersfield, Peterborough and Colchester should be there or thereabouts, but I can’t see recently relegated Plymouth giving them any real competition in the bid for promotion.

However, I honestly believe there will be a number of surprise packages in the division next season, with Andy Scott’s young and adventurous Brentford side and newly promoted Notts County my real tips. Allthough, I do believe that Swindon – who were on the cusp of the Championship last season – will struggle to make a similar impact this time around after loosing Billy Paynter. Relegation: I think Exeter will really struggle this year after saving themselves by the skin of their teeth last campaign; making them my relegation favourites. For me, the usual suspects of Yeovil, Hartlepool and Bournemouth are the most likely to be joining them in the depths of the division. Surprisingly you may say, I think that Bristol Rovers may be involved in the relegation mix up come May. Despite enjoying a number of strong seasons in the division, since losing Rickie Lambert they haven't looked the same side and they were only saved from their dismal second half of the season form by a fantastic opening to the campaign last year.

Leyton Orient & Dagenham: I honestly believe that both the O’s and Daggers fans can look forward to an enjoyable season in League One next year. I think with a good start to the season and another couple of additions to the squad, Orient could well be knocking on the door of the play offs come May, maybe even enjoying a rare visit to Wembley.

With Dagenham, I think the passion and spirit which saw them gain promotion last term will be enough to ensure their League One adventure isn’t short lived. I think it’ll be tight for John Still’s men, but I believe they’ll be ok if they get their home form right and the likes of Paul Benson and Danny Green step up to the mark.

When you look at the league as a whole this season, most of the teams look very evenly balanced in terms of quality compared to last year. With Leeds, Millwall and Norwich all leaving us, I really think there could be a chance for some of the smaller teams to really make an impact in the higher reaches of the division this time around.