The 2024/25 EFL season has kicked off with its usual unpredictability, providing fans with exciting football and plenty of surprises.
In a division where anything can happen on any given matchday, League Two continues to be one of the most challenging and entertaining tiers in English football.
With promotion and relegation battles already heating up, fans are getting a taste of the drama to come as teams across the fourth-tier attempt to either maintain their status or climb the football pyramid.
The 2024/25 League Two season has seen strong starts from teams like Notts County, Gillingham, and AFC Wimbledon, who are thriving at the top of the table. Meanwhile, the League 2 relegation odds are already heating up, with several sides at the bottom risk falling into a relegation dogfight and a potential drop to the National League.
Being relegated from League Two brings with it a myriad of challenges. The financial strain on clubs can be immense, with smaller budgets, lower attendances, and the loss of key players hampering any attempts at an immediate return to the EFL.
The pressure to bounce back can be overwhelming, and for many clubs, it takes several seasons to stabilise in the National League, which has grown in stature in recent years. Even the slightest dip in form can send teams spiralling towards non-league football, making it imperative to avoid the drop.
Maintaining EFL status is critical for any club, but it has become even more pressing given the increased quality in the National League. With the stakes higher than ever, here we assess the teams that could face relegation from League Two this season.
Morecambe
Winless at the time of writing, Morecambe are in danger of being cast adrift at the bottom of the table if they fail to start picking up victories.
Their spirited comeback at home against Colchester, where they fought back from 3-1 down to secure a 3-3 draw despite playing with ten men for the entire second half, showcased the team’s fighting spirit.
However, Derek Adams’ third stint as manager has left a lot to be desired, and the Shrimps need to find consistency soon. With no wins in sight, their hopes of avoiding relegation are quickly fading, and they will need more than resilience to steer clear of the drop.
Carlisle United
After their fairytale 2022/23 campaign, which culminated in a dramatic playoff win on penalties at Wembley, Carlisle United are now facing the grim prospect of back-to-back relegations, with League 2 odds 24/25 at 9/1 for the Cumbrians to go down.
Their magical day at Wembley, which saw them defeat Stockport County, feels like a distant memory as the now managerless side now find themselves struggling to adapt to life back in League Two.
Paul Simpson left the club in late August, with Keith Curleand Michael Appleton amongst the frontrunners for the hotseat at Brunton Park.
While there is plenty of potential in the squad, inconsistency has plagued their early performances, and if they can’t find a way to turn things around, their rapid descent may continue into the depths of non-league football.
Accrington Stanley
Accrington Stanley’s woeful start to the season has left them winless and leaking goals at an alarming rate. With 14 goals conceded, the joint-worst defensive record in the league, it’s clear that defensive frailties are a major issue.
While they’ve brought in 19 new players in an attempt to freshen up the squad and reduce its average age, the loss of key players like Tommy Leigh, Matt Lowe, and Kelvin Mellor – with only Leigh commanding a transfer fee – has severely weakened their experience.
MK Dons
MK Dons have struggled to fill their stadium in recent years, and now their poor form on the pitch is causing serious concern.
Once a club that played Championship football and produced stars like Dele Alli, MK Dons have found themselves fighting relegation in League Two.
Their recent thrashing at the hands of AFC Wimbledon, their fiercest rivals, has set alarm bells ringing.
If results don’t improve, and with fans becoming increasingly frustrated, MK Dons may be facing the unthinkable – a drop into non-league football.
