Despite Accrington reaching the play-off semi-finals last season, it’s the same old story with the bookmakers with Stanley tipped to be scrapping for survival at the bottom of League Two.

Bet 365 have given out odds of 5/1 that the Reds will be relegated.

That makes John Coleman’s side fifth favourites to drop out of the Football League despite last season’s heroics.

Last season the bookmakers predicted a similar outcome, after the departures of star strikers Bobby Grant and Michael Symes. The Reds were heavily tipped for relegation before Coleman made numerous signings and Stanley stunned the rest of the league by going on a 13-game unbeaten run and finishing in fifth spot.

Again, the loss of key players from the Crown Ground has obviously left Stanley out of favour with the bookmakers but this is not the first time Coleman has had to rebuild a squad after a host of departures.

And Coleman will be hoping to continue his impressive and proud record of improving Stanley’s position for every season since 1999.

That will mean that the Reds will have to secure a play-off spot again in the new campaign.

Bookmakers are offering 8/1 for Stanley to secure promotion, a bet which many Stanley fans may consider taking.

League Two newboys Crawley Town are the favourites for promotion with striker Matt Tubbs also tipped to be the top goalscorer.

After new investment Crawley enjoyed a sensational season in the Blue Square Premier League last year. Swindon Town, under manager Paolo Di Canio, are also among the favourites to bounce back up, along with Bristol Rovers who have added several new additions to their squad after relegation from League One last season.

Macclesfield Town are the unanimous favourites to be relegated with the bookmakers at a price of 11/4.

Cheltenham and Barnet – who survived on the final day of last season – are also tipped to be challenging at the wrong end of the table.

But the bookmakers are not always right – as Stanley proved last season.