Who will be the biggest winners and losers in League One?

There's no doubt who the bookmakers think will head the pile in League One this year. Sheffield United came up short after a season-long battle with city rivals Sheffield Wednesday last year and if the motivation is still there, the Blades are expected to make promotion with ease.

MK Dons fell just behind the Blades last time round, and with the sides coming down from the Championship looking a lot weaker than normal, many favour the Dons to also push on and take one of the automatic promotion berths.

Portsmouth's deep problems should mean they will be happy to just to consolidate and Doncaster Rovers have a lot of reassessment to do after their plan to use exotic loan signings didn't save them from the drop. Coventry City might have the best chance of a quick return if they play like they did in the second half of the last campaign.

The big unknown in the division is the Di Canio factor at Swindon Town. The volatile Italian took the West Country side out of League Two at the first attempt - but not without a few typical spats along the way. Can he inspire his players again?

The news that the manager has removed the captain's armband from Paul Caddis just shows once again that life is never likely to be dull under the Italian, but whether his emotional brand of leadership is suited to the League One challenge remains to be seen.

Notts County spent a lot of 2011/12 as one of the clubs battling to stay in touch with Charlton and the two Sheffield clubs. The pressure to make the jump to the Championship cost Martin Allen his job, even when the Magpies were in a play-off slot. Keith Curle has the hot seat now and with a lot of seasoned players on the books, another play-off berth looks the minimum target for the campaign.

Looking at the other arrivals from League Two, Crewe are on a superb run, but it would be a major surprise if they can sustain a promotion challenge. Shrewsbury Town are also likely to be happy with a mid-table finish. Not so Crawley Town, who continue to be one of the most ambitious lower division outfits.

They will need to consolidate though, but like Stevenage last year, they could go close to a play-off slot. Stevenage are also facing a season of consolidation after a lot of change and the departure of Graeme Westley.

Carlisle United can move on to be secure in a play-off berth this year while Tranmere Rovers, Hartlepool, Brentford and Bournemouth are all expected to fill out the middle ranks of the division.

The bookies make the usual suspects favourites for the drop. Yeovil Town and Walsall have ducked and dived above the drop zone in recent seasons and the layers see another season of struggle for Leyton Orient. However, these three clubs have defied the odds before and shouldn't be written off.  Oldham Athletic could be sucked into the battle at the bottom.

Scunthorpe United are the real dark horses. The Iron fans have become used to Championship football since the Millennium and there's every reason to think they will challenge to return there. By contrast, Preston are a club that should be in the second tier by history and with dynamic Westley now installed at Deepdale all things are possible - including a dire campaign.

Bury may find it hard to maintain third tier status this year but Colchester United's recruitment in the forwards should see them score enough goals to be well into the top half.

So Predictions?

Well , I'll have to go with Sheffield United for the title and MK Dons to join them. In the play off spots I'll take Scunthorpe, Notts County, Carlisle and Coventry.

As for the drop, I'll agree with the bookies on Orient to be joined by Oldham. Bury and one of Walsall and Yeovil but not both.

Calling all football fans: Do you agree with Hugh? How do you see the season panning out? Whatever your view, we'd love to hear from you.

Fantasy Football Invitation: Do you think you are a better manager than Roberto Di Matteo, Arsene Wenger of Sir Alex Ferguson? If so then you've come to the right place. Come and join our special Squarefootball Fantasy Football competition. Click here for more details