With the start of the 25/26 National League season upon us next week and the majority of transfer business completed it’s now time to give as accurate a prediction as possible for the new season.
I will be predicting every team in the National League and where I think everyone will finish this season.
24th – Morecambe
The Morecambe situation is looking more bleak and inevitable with every passing day but at the time of writing this there is still hope so I will be predicting them to finish bottom. With all the issues off the field, the lack of players and the lack of stability it would be hard to see any other outcome for Morecambe if they do somehow manage to fulfil their fixtures in the National League
23rd – Truro City
Truro were exceptional last season and won the National League south on the final day of the season. John Askey’s side could suprise some teams this season but I think with the lack of transfer business and the club potentially punching above their weight that it could be a tough season for them.
22nd – Brackley Town
Brackley much like Truro won their respective league last season and earned their place in the National League this coming season. Brackley have signed some experiences players such as Danny Waldron and Michael Nottingham so they could take points off some of the better sides but over the course of the season I think they will fall just short.
21st – Wealdstone
Wealdstone only just survived last season and have lost some important players over the summer. They’ve lost experienced players like Adrian Mariappa, Josh Grant and Craig Eastmond without really replacing them as yet, I think they will struggle this season.
20th – Gateshead
Gateshead have suffered off the pitch recently and been under a transfer embargo but have managed to stay competitive on the pitch but they have lost arguably their two most influential players this summer in Regan Booty and Greg Olley without replacing them as of yet so I think they will have a tough season but may just have enough to stay up.
19th – Solihull Moors
Solihull Moors finished 14th last season after making the play offs the season before and in my opinion are experiencing a steady drop off. They have lost key players like Jack Stevens and Tahvon Campbell which will be a blow but they have brought in Dan Creaney from Tamworth who will score enough goals for them to stay out of trouble.
18th – Braintree Town
Braintree finished 17th last season and I expect them to be around there again this season. They’ve lost a key player in Kyrell Lisbie and haven’t brought in many new faces as of yet so I expect a very similar season to the last from Braintree.
17th – Boreham Wood
Out of the teams that have come up I think Boreham Wood have arguably recruited the best. They’ve brought in players such as Jeff King, Luke Norris, Aaron Henry and Junior Dixon all with experience at this level or higher. I think they will be comfortably safe this season.
16th – Boston United
Boston have experienced something of a squad overhaul this season. They’ve lost a total of 12 players and brought in 13 players so far this summer and that could go one way or another but I think they will be comfortably mid-table this season and finish higher than last season.
15th – Altrincham
Altrincham have lost a lot of goal contributions with the sales of Regan Linney and Alex Newby but they have recruited well and brought in players such as Charlie Kirk, Keaton Ward and Jimmy Knowles that will hopefully fill the huge void left by Linney and Newby. I think Altrincham will be comfortably mid-table this season but will miss the goals from the front two and drop off from last season.
14th – Tamworth
Tamworth finished 10th last season and had a good FA Cup run but I think will struggle more this season due to loss of top goal scorer Dan Creaney. They have brought in good players for this level such as Tyler Roberts and Joe Riley who will add quality to the squad but I think they will finish lower than last season.
13th – Woking
Woking finished 15th last season and I expect them to be around there once again. Neale Ardley’s side will be solid at home again but could suffer on the road like they did last season. Their transfer business has been quiet but effective this summer by signing a lot of players from teams in lower divisions such as Caleb Richards, Jake Hyde and Craig Ross who will all bolster an already very solid National League
12th – Yeovil Town
Yeovil finished 18th last season but I think they’ve held on to some important players and added some quality with Tahvon Campbell and James Daly so I think they will climb the table this season and finished significantly higher.
11th – Aldershot Town
Aldershot are another side that have experienced a major squad overhaul with the release of nine first team players and the sale of two more but they have replaced them with ten new faces including Tristan Abrahams and Kwame Thomas. I think Aldershot have a very strong mid-table National League squad and their final position will reflect that.
10th – Sutton United
Sutton United finished 12th last season and have brought in a total of eleven players so far this summer including experienced goal scorer Ashley Nadesan who has been scored in pre-season and has experience at this level. I think they will improve on their 12th place finish from last season.
9th – Scunthorpe United
Scunthorpe coming up from the National League north will be a team to watch out for. They have a squad worth of a top half finish in the National League and have added quality to that squad this summer with players such as Joey Dawson from Celtic, Oliver Ewing from Leicester and Dubem Eze from Bolton. I think they will take some big scalps this season but may just fall short of the play offs.
8th – Forest Green Rovers
I struggled with Forest Green because I have major question marks over the appointment of Robbie Savage but I think their squad and strength in depth plus the additions from Macclesfield over the summer I think they’ll have a good season but depending on how the manager situation plays out they might just miss out on the play offs.
7th – Hartlepool United
This may seem odd but Hartlepool finished 11th last season and have lost their top scorer in Mani Dieseruvwe but I think they will just make the play offs. The additions of Danny Johnson and Brad Walker in particular should replace the goal involvements of Mani Dieseruvwe.
6th – Halifax Town
Halifax are another of those sides that have experienced something of an overhaul this summer but I think with the additions of players such as Will Harris and Cody Johnson on top of a strong squad and good season last season I think they will make the play offs once again.
5th – Eastleigh
I think there is a strong argument to say Eastleigh have had the best transfer window in the whole league this summer. They’ve brought in quality and experienced players such as Nick Townsend, Jordan Cousins, Josh Lundstram, Keiron Evans and Aaron Pierre. I’m expecting Eastleigh to massively improve on their 13th place finish last season and comfortably make the play offs this season.
4th – Southend United
Southend are one of a few teams that have managed to keep the majority of their squad from last season and have added quality to their squad with players such as Sam Austin, Ben Goodliffe on a permanent deal and Harry Boyes. I expect them to improve on their 7th place finish from last season and comfortably make the play offs in 4th place.
3rd – Rochdale
Another team that has a strong case for winning this transfer window are Rochdale. They’ve managed to keep the core of their squad from last season and added some experience and quality to their ranks with players such as Mani Dieseruvwe, Anthony Mancini, Casey Pettit and David Tutonda and I think if anyone is going to disrupt the top two everyone is prediction it will be Rochdale.
2nd – York City
York City fell just short in the play offs last season and with the goals of Ollie Pearce means they will always be a threat but they have added some depth to their squad this summer and brought in quality with Ollie Banks and Alex Newby who will thrive up front with Ollie Pearce this season. I expect them to comfortably be in the top two this coming season.
1st – Carlisle United
After suffering back-to-back relegations Mark Hughes’ side will be looking for an immediate return to the EFL and their transfer business this summer has reflected that expectation. Signing players with experience at this level such as Regan Linney, Josh Grant, quality players with experience like Morgan Feeney and Bevis Mugabi as well as young hungry players like Junior Luamba and Sam Murray should see them finish at the top end of the table for the first time in three seasons.
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