League 1 kick-off: Swinton Lions favourites for promotion

Drew Darbyshire 25 Mar 2022 1:51 PM

Luke Waterworth Swinton Lions League 1 SWpix — Photo: Allan McKenzie/SWpix

League 1 club Swinton Lions are the favourites to gain promotion to the Championship with the competition’s sponsor Betfred.

Greater Manchester clubs Swinton and Oldham suffered relegation from the Championship last season. And it’s Allan Coleman’s Lions that are favourites to go back up at the first time of asking. They are priced at 6/4 by Betfred.

Swinton have assembled a strong squad for 2022, featuring former Wigan players Liam Forsyth, Luke Waterworth, Rhodri Lloyd and Nick Gregson.

Closely behind Swinton are Rhys Lovegrove’s Keighley Cougars and Anthony Murray’s North Wales Crusdaders. They are both 4/1.

Keighley have the likes of Quentin Laulu-Togaga’e, Jake Webster and Scott Murrell among their ranks. Patrick Ah Van, Brad Billsborough and Rob Massam are at the Crusaders.

Rochdale Hornets are 8/1 to win the season outright and go up. The Hornets have the likes of Rangi Chase, Fuifui Moimoi, Sean Penkywicz and Gregg McNally in their squad.

And Stuart Littler’s Oldham side are 9/1. Leigh legend Martyn Ridyard will be looking to lead the Roughyeds to promotion.

Doncaster and Hunslet are 10/1 and 12/1 respectively.

League 1 newcomers Cornwall are priced at 25/1 to win the league in their first-ever season. Former Wales, Widnes, Leigh and Dewsbury boss Neil Kelly will lead the club in their inaugural campaign. Ireland international Anthony Mullally was the club’s first-ever signing.

Midlands Hurricanes, who rebranded from being Coventry Bears in the off-season, are priced at 33/1. Scotland international Dave Scott will play for the Hurricanes in 2022.

London Skolars are 50/1 and West Wales Raiders are massive outsiders at 200/1. Ex-Wales international Ashley Bateman has taken the coaching reins at Stebonheath Park from the recently departed Aaron Wood.