THE BIG KICK-OFF

Sports Editor Mark Pirie reveals his League One predictions

AIRDRIEONIANS

After finishing third and narrowly missing out on promotion, a title challenge would have been the original target. However, the well-documented financial troubles have dampened the mood at New Broomfield.

Hopefully the young players, who have already shown their talent, can mount a challenge at the top and forget the summer of chaos. However, avoiding the drop will be the priority. Full-time coaching will play a big factor in the season ahead.

PREDICTION: 5th

ALBION ROVERS

Albion Rovers look set to shock a few people this season after a successful Betfred Cup campaign and impressive results against Hamilton Accies and Stenhousemuir.

New boss Brian Kerr will be keen to prove doubters wrong and with new recruit from Brechin City Alan Trouten already looking dangerous, they will fancy their chances of making the play-off places despite a tight budget.

An interesting season ahead in Coatbridge.

PREDICTION: 6th

ALLOA ATH

Despite a summer exodus at Alloa, it won’t shock any follower of League One football to see Jim Goodwin’s men in the upper reaches of the division.

With Ayr and Raith both coming down from the Championship, automatic promotion looks a tough ask for the Wasps. With Callum Waters, Jordan Kilpatrick and Greig Spence leaving the club it could be a hard season.

Craig Malcolm signing from Stranraer looks to be the best of their summer business.

PREDICTION: 3rd

ARBROATH

Arbroath look to be a difficult proposition after winning League Two last season.

Dick Campbell will at first be wanting to stay away from the fight at the bottom of the table. But after some impressive signings over the summer, he could turn his attention to a bid for the play-off places

Gavin Swankie looks to be the pick of the lot and will create a lot from the wings and goalkeeper David Hutton will earn points for his new side after leaving Dunfermline.

PREDICTION: 7th

AYR UNITED

The Honest Men look set to challenge at the top end of the table after finishing bottom of the Championship last term. Despite losing key men Gary Harkins to Morton and Nicky Devlin to Walsall, Ian McCall has recruited well to rebuild the spine of his side.

Striker Michael Moffat has returned and could run riot in the scoring charts this season.

Former Queen of the South captain Chris Higgins will add steel to the back line.

PREDICTION: 2nd

EAST FIFE

The fourth promotion spot looks to be open for an unlikely outsider to get in the mix. After a squad overhaul and a new manager, the Methil club look like an interesting bet.

Former Albion Rovers gaffer Darren Young has taken over the helm from Barry Smith and will have a point to prove after leaving Cliftonhill.

After a slow start in the Betfred Cup, the game on Saturday against Stranraer will give a good indication on where they stand.

PREDICTION: 4th

FORFAR ATH

It will be a tough season for Forfar. Having staggered over the finishing line last season and securing promotion through the play-offs, it will be a huge ask for Gary Bollan’s men to retain their League One status.

The loss of Gavin Swankie and Josh Peters this summer won’t help their cause.

Former Clyde man Dylan Easton will be bursting to get going after spending the majority of last season on the sidelines through injury.

PREDICTION: 10th

QUEEN’S PARK

Queen’s Park shocked a few teams last season as they comfortably avoided the relegation battle – and even had an outside chance of reaching the promotion play-off spots.

The most important thing for the club was retaining manager Gus MacPherson for another campaign. The loss of captain Ryan McGeever to Brechin City leaves a huge hole in the heart of the defence. But it’s hard to bet against MacPherson leading the Spiders away from the drop once again.

PREDICTION: 8th

RAITH ROVERS

Raith Rovers come into the League One season as title favourites – and it’s clear to see why.

The Kirkcaldy club should have more than enough firepower to shoot down most clubs in League One after adding Liam Buchanan, who scored 27 goals in all competitions for title-winning Livingston last season, and Alloa’s star man Greig Spence to the side.

Bringing in Barry Smith as boss after his success with East Fife last term and a summer squad clear-out should help secure a quick Championship return.

PREDICTION: 1st

STRANRAER

Boss Stevie Farrell led Stranraer away from the relegation zone after a poor start to the season last term, but it will be a big ask to do it again.

Craig Malcolm, Willie Gibson and Mark McGuigan, who were key in the last campaign, have all left the club. The addition of ex-Queen’s Park midfielder Paul Woods, former Queen of the South defender Jamie Hamill and ex-Albion Rovers striker Ryan Wallace will be key to any success for the Blues

PREDICTION: 9th