Leicester City lifted the Premier League trophy a decade ago but now they return to the third tier for the first time since 2009, while Sheffield Wednesday are back to kick off a new era under brand new ownership. But with such recent, rich history comes mammoth expectation and for the Foxes in particular, nothing else will do other than promotion. While for a club like last season's League Two champions Bromley, who have already reached a new height in securing promotion to League One for the first time, the pressure is off.
Could this be another year of the underdogs? Follow your League One club this 2026-27 season Key ins: Dan Sweeney (Stevenage, free), Steve Seddon re-signing for the new season Key outs: Omar Bugiel (Suzhou Dongwu, free) What are the expectations heading into the season? Keep their heads above water, and keep improving.
What are the major strengths of the team to help them achieve that? Defensively the Dons can be tough to breakdown. And what are the underlying weaknesses that could hold them back?
Far too streaky, runs of wins will almost certainly be followed by a long barren drought. Who's a player to look out for this season who could be a difference-maker? Marcus Browne - technically brilliant, he's a key man in all good things they do.
Key ins: Cameron McGeehan (Northampton, free), Sam Gale (Gillingham, undisclosed), Clayton Taylor (Newcastle Jets, undisclosed) Key outs: David McGoldrick (Mansfield, free), Adam Phillips (Bradford, undisclosed), Eoghan O'Connell (Stockport, free) Expectations? Daniel Stendel has been a popular choice, external to replace Conor Hourihane as head coach this summer. The German has returned to Oakwell hoping to repeat the success he achieved in his first spell when he guided the Reds to the Championship in 2018-19.
Barnsley have a limited budget as the owners aim to operate within their means. A top-half finish would feel like a step in the right direction for the Reds, but the fanbase - who have seen their side play in the second tier for the majority of the club's history - will expect the team to be at least knocking on the door of the play-offs. The focus has been on recruiting young, hungry players to Stendel's high-energy, high-pressing game.
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