Football reporters covering League 1 sides this season have come together to provide a look at those clubs taking part.

Gillingham get their season underway at Accrington on Saturday and nine of the 24 reporters are tipping them for the drop.

Sunderland are clear favourites for promotion, while Walsall are picked by most for the drop.

AFC Wimbledon

Richard Cawley (South London Press)

Manager: Neal Ardley

Ground: The Cherry Red Records Stadium

Ins: Scott Wagstaff, James Hanson, Anthony Wordsworth, Tom King, Tennai Watson

Outs: Lyle Taylor, Barry Fuller, Dean Parrett, Darius Charles, Jon Meades (retired)

Expectations: Struggled badly for goals last season but their summer dealings have been extensive and James Hanson provides a focal point to the attack. Mitch Pinnock, signed from Dover Athletic, has looked class in pre-season. Expect them to be mid-table contenders.

Main man: Kwesi Appiah. If the former Crystal Palace man can avoid the injuries which dogged him in 17-18, he could be among the leading scorers.

Up: Barnsley, Southend, Peterborough

Down: Blackpool, Walsall, Coventry, Wycombe

Accrington

Suzanne Geldard (Lancashire Telegraph)

Manager: John Coleman

Ground: The Wham Stadium

Ins: Will Wood, Piero Mingoia, Sam Finley

Outs: Aaron Chapman, Mekhi McLeod

Expectations: Accrington Stanley fans are rare breed in football in that they don’t have big demands and put pressure on the manager or players from the stands. They’re enjoying the ride, and would snatch your hand off for survival.

Main man: Billy Kee. Picked up the Golden Boot last season to help fire Stanley to the League 2 title with 25 goals. Looking forward to proving himself at a higher level after only a handful of appearances for Scunthorpe in 2014/15.

Up: Sunderland, Blackpool, Scunthorpe

Down: AFC Wimbledon, Walsall, Southend, Wycombe

Barnsley

Doug O'Kane (Barnsley Chronicle)

Manager: Daniel Stendel

Ground: Oakwell

Ins: Kenneth Dougall.

Outs: Christoph Knasmullner, Stevie Mallan, Andy Yiadom, Adam Hammill

Expectations: Everyone is hoping to bounce straight back to the Championship after relegation in May. Many think that the club has taken a couple of big risks by appointing a German head coach, who is highly-rated but has no experience of English football, and backing almost the same squad who went down to go back up again.

Main man: Tom Bradshaw and Kieffer Moore should be a very challenging strike force for League one defences, having excelled at that level for Walsall and Rotherham respectively. Barnsley have turned down bids for both this summer and will only sell for ‘exceptional offers’.

Up: Peterborough, Portsmouth, Plymouth

Down: Gillingham, Shrewsbury, Walsall, AFC Wimbledon.

Blackpool

Matt Scrafton (Blackpool Gazette)

Manager: Gary Bowyer

Ground: Bloomfield Road

Ins: Joe Dodoo, Ben Heneghan, Mark Howard, Ryan McLaughlin, Paudie O'Connor

Outs: Will Aimson, Colin Daniel, Kelvin Mellor (free agent, could return), Clark Robertson, Kyle Vassell

Expectations: As is so often the case with Blackpool, a lot depends on what transpires off the pitch rather than on it. But Gary Bowyer has, once again, defied that uncertainty to put together a strong squad capable of matching last season's surprise 12th placed finish, which most fans would be satisfied with.

Main man: Paudie O'Connor. The centre back arrives with good reviews from fans of his parent club, Leeds United, who were hoping to see him involved in their first team this coming season. He is described as an aggressive defender who refuses to take any prisoners and will be an ideal replacement for Clark Robertson.

Up: Sunderland, Barnsley, Portsmouth

Down: Wycombe, AFC Wimbledon, Rochdale, Shrewsbury

Bradford City

Simon Parker (Bradford Telegraph & Argus)

Manager: Michael Collins

Ground: Valley Parade

Ins: Jack Payne, Sean Scannell, Anthony O’Connor, Hope Akpan, Richard O’Donnell

Outs: Colin Doyle, Tony McMahon.

Expectations: It is a real step into the unknown. After the way last season caved in from the turn of the year, there has been real anxiety that 2018’s annus horribilis could continue.

Main man: Tyrell Robinson. The lightning-quick winger burst on to the scene last season with a late winner at Wigan and made the step-up from development football. If he can build on that exciting first year, with the experience of coping with the lows of City’s fall out the play-offs, he can have a big impact.

Up: Sunderland, Barnsley, Peterborough.

Down: Wimbledon, Walsall, Blackpool, Gillingham

Bristol Rovers

John Evely - Bristol Post

Manager: Darrell Clarke

Ground: The Memorial Stadium

Ins: Ed Upson, Sam Matthews, Gavin Reilly, Tareiq Holmes-Dennis

Outs: Ellis Harrison, Lee Brown, Rory Gaffney

Expectations: As always the fans are looking for the club to mount a top six push having finished 13th last season. In reality continued strong form at home and better defensive performances on the road would make them happy.

Main man: Ed Upson. The man signed as free agent after leaving MK Dons has really impressed in pre-season in midfield and looks exactly the sort of player Rovers needed to shield the defence but also chip in with a goal. A set piece threat.

Up: Sunderland, Bristol Rovers, Barnsley

Down: Wycombe Wanderers, Accrington Stanley, Coventry City, Rochdale

Burton Albion

Joshua Murray (Burton Mail)

Manager: Nigel Clough

Ground: Pirelli Stadium

Ins: Scott Fraser, David Templeton

Outs: Tom Naylor, Lloyd Dyer, Hope Akpan, Tom Flanagan

Expectations: With Burton heading into a season off the back of a relegation for the first time in 41 years, positivity is not at its highest among all Brewers supporters. But there is genuine interest in seeing how Clough's Albion can adapt back in League One with the core of their Championship side maintained. Focus will be on their form in the opening weeks - the first eight or 10 games will give a good insight into how achievable their goal of bouncing straight back is.

Main man: Liam Boyce. Signed last summer to be the man that could fire Albion to Championship safety. An ACL injury in pre-season robbed him of that chance, and it was not until the final month of the campaign that we saw what the Northern Ireland international can do when at peak fitness. He is a proven goalscorer in the Scottish Premiership, but it is his all-round attacking play and control which mark him down as a crucial figure for Burton this season.

Up: Sunderland, Portsmouth, Charlton

Down: Wycombe, Accrington Stanley, Walsall, Gillingham

Charlton Athletic

Richard Cawley (South London Press)

Manager: Lee Bowyer

Ground: The Valley

Ins: Lyle Taylor, Darren Pratley

Outs: Ezri Konsa, Ahmed Kashi, Harry Lennon, Brandon Hanlan, Johnnie Jackson (retired)

Expectations: Last season’s play-off semi-finalists face a test to boost their promotion prospects as owner Roland Duchatelet - fed up that takeover talks have not reached fruition - has trimmed back the budget. Charlton’s first-choice 11 are a match for anybody, the question is whether injuries and a lack of squad depth will badly damage their prospects.

Main man: Lyle Taylor. A star man for AFC Wimbledon and needs the same kind of scoring return for the south London club, who have lacked a prolific finisher in the past couple of season. Hold-up play is excellent.

Up: Barnsley, Southend, Peterborough

Down: Blackpool, Walsall, Coventry, Wycombe

Coventry City

Andy Turner, CoventryLive/Coventry Telegraph

Manager: Mark Robins

Ground: Ricoh Arena

Ins: Abu Ogogo, Junior Brown, Dujon Sterling, Jonson Clarke-Harris, Brandon Mason.

Outs: Marc McNulty, Ryan Haynes, Chris Stokes.

Expectations: Many were hoping to maintain the momentum and feel-good factor around the club following promotion back to League One at the first attempt, via the play-offs. The post-Wembley euphoria sparked plenty of talk of another play-off push and back-to-back promotions until the sale of 28-goal Marc McNulty to Reading, which has somewhat dented those aspirations. Goals are a major cause for concern after failing to score in three of the first five pre-season friendlies and fans' expectations threaten to take a nosedive if Mark Robins fails in his quest to find a new striker before the transfer window closes.

Main man: Tony Andreu. The French playmaker joined the Sky Blues from Norwich City last summer but played just six games before a ruptured ACL put him out for ten months. He scored 22 goals, 19 on loan for Dundee United in the Scottish Championship, the season before joining Coventry and hopes are high that, once fully up to speed, the 30-year-old will provide some much needed creativity and goals.

Up: Sunderland, Portsmouth, Charlton

Down: Rochdale, AFC Wimbledon, Walsall, Gillingham

Doncaster Rovers

Liam Hoden, Doncaster Free Press/Sheffield Star

Manager: Grant McCann

Ground: Keepmoat Stadium

Ins: Ali Crawford, Mallik Wilks (loan), Tom Anderson, Max Watters

Outs: Mathieu Baudry, Andy Williams, Craig Alcock, Liam Mandeville (loan)

Expectations: After consolidating last season, the expectation will be for a strong push for the top six. The change in manager following Darren Ferguson's resignation has brought an element of the unknown heading into the campaign but new boss Grant McCann is positive Rovers can make a strong challenge this season.

Main man: Beyond the usual key men at Rovers, there is plenty of excitement about Mallik Wilks who has signed on loan from Leeds. The young forward is pacy, powerful and direct and seems to fit in perfectly with Grant McCann's aggressive, positive style. There is a lot of interest is his development.

Up: Sunderland, Peterborough, Oxford.

Down: Walsall, Gillingham, Shrewsbury, AFC Wimbledon

Fleetwood

Rosie Swarbrick (Blackpool Gazette)

Manager: Joey Barton

Ground: Highbury

Ins: Ched Evans, Tommy Spurr, Craig Morgan, Jason Holt, Dean Marney,

Outs: Nathan Pond, Chris Neal, Toumani Diagouraga

Expectations: Since Joey Barton took over initial trepidation has thawed to a feeling of optimism. Barton has recruited well by adding experience and left-sided defensive options to the talented young crop he inherited. The new boss has been addressing issues of last term like set-pieces in pre-season and with Town unbeaten thus far fans are eyeing a top half finish... if Barton can stay away from controversy.

Main man: Conor McAleny. If striker Conor McAleny can get his first ever 30 plus game league season he is my tip for the golden boot. If he stays fit the 25-year-old Everton academy product has the pedigree to become the first Fleetwood player since Jamie Vardy to score more than 20 goals in one term.

Up: Sunderland, Fleetwood, Barnsley.

Down: Wycombe, Accrington, AFC Wimbledon, Walsall

Luton Town

Mike Simmonds / Luton News

Manager: Nathan Jones

Ground: Kenilworth Road

Ins: Jorge Grant, Matty Pearson, Sonny Bradley, Andrew Shinnie

Outs: Olly Lee, Scott Cuthbert, Johnny Mullins, Jordan Cook, Lawson D’Ath

Expectations: Hatters fans aren’t quite as expectant as last campaign when getting out of League Two was just everything. This season, they would no doubt like to see another promotion challenge mounted with the squad in place and new additions over the summer, although through the play-offs could be a more realistic target.

Main man: Danny Hylton. You can’t fail to witness a Hatters game without Hylton doing something, whether it be scoring a goal, producing some outrageous skill, getting booked or winding up the home crowd as the pantomime villain. Been a sensational signing for Town though, scoring 50 goals in just two seasons.

Up: Sunderland, Charlton, Portsmouth

Down: Accrington, Wycombe, Wimbledon, Walsall.

Oxford United

David Pritchard (Oxford Mail)

Manager: Karl Robinson

Ground: Kassam Stadium

Ins: Jamie Mackie, Gavin Whyte, Marcus Browne, Samir Carruthers, Luke Garbutt

Outs: Ryan Ledson, Kane Hemmings, Wes Thomas, Joe Rothwell, Mike Williamson

Expectations: This season is about forgetting the last 12 months and getting back to where the side was when Michael Appleton left at the end of the 2016/17 campaign. That means a challenge for the top six come the spring, rather a repeat of last season’s run-in, when they were nervously looking over their shoulders.

Main man: Gavin Whyte. The winger is virtually unknown outside of his native Northern Ireland, but United believe they have unearthed a gem. Scoring more than a goal per game for Crusaders last season, the 22-year-old has pace to burn and if he adjusts quickly to English football, he may not stay in League One for long.

Ups: Sunderland, Portsmouth, Plymouth Argyle

Downs: Walsall, Gillingham, Wycombe, Rochdale

Peterborough United

Alan Swann (Peterborough Telegraph)

Manager: Steve Evans

Ground: The ABAX Stadium.

Ins: Jason Cummings, Alex Woodyard, Siriki Dembele, Jason Naismith, Aaron Chapman.

Outs: Jack Marriott, Gwion Edwards, Jack Baldwin, Leo Da Silva Lopes, Junior Morias.

Expectations: Promotion basically. Fuelled by the sheer optimism of the chairman and the manager, Posh fans expect us to get back into the Championship before every season. The sheer turnover of players and the loss of the two best players (Marriott and Edwards) are concerns though.

Main man: Young winger Siriki Dembele has turned a few heads this summer since arriving from Grimsby, but I suspect defensive midfielder Alex Woodyard will be a more reliable performer. He's been handed the captaincy even though he didn't arrive until this summer.

Up: Barnsley, Sunderland, Portsmouth

Down: Shrewsbury (sorry Lewis), Accrington, Wycombe, Walsall.

Plymouth Argyle

Chris Errington - Plymouth Herald

Manager: Derek Adams

Ground: Home Park

Ins: Calum Dyson, Conor Grant, Niall Canavan, Scott Wootton, Freddie Ladapo.

Out: Sonny Bradley, Oscar Threlkeld, Luke McCormick, Gary Miller, Aaron Taylor-Sinclair.

Expectations: After a surprise seventh place finish last season, some of the Green Army are hoping their team can clinch a play-off place this time around. Others, though, would take a top half finish and further consolidation in League One.

Main man: Graham Carey remains the main man for Argyle. He has scored 43 goals - many of them spectacular ones, and quite a few penalties too - during his very impressive three seasons at the club. His delivery at set pieces is usually excellent, as is his shooting from distance.

Up: Sunderland, Peterborough United and Burton Albion.

Down: Accrington, Blackpool, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.

Portsmouth

Neil Allen (Portsmouth News)

Manager: Kenny Jackett

Ground: Fratton Park

Ins: Craig MacGillivray, Lee Brown, Tom Naylor, Ronan Curtis, Anton Walkes.

Outs: Kal Naismith

Expectations: It was an encouraging eighth spot finish upon last season’s League One return, while five points short of the play-offs. None of the regular first-teamers have left this summer, so the club are seeking progress, which naturally focuses on at least breaking into the play-off positions.

Main man: Jamal Lowe. The non-league recruit who scored twice to win Pompey promotion in 2016-17, continued his remarkable rise last term, establishing himself in the League One team. The right-sided winger is pacy, hard-working, tricky and has an eye for goal. He was last season’s leading assist maker and continues to flourish.

Up: Sunderland, Scunthorpe, Luton

Down: AFC Wimbledon, Shrewsbury, Walsall, Wycombe

Rochdale

Richard Partington (Manchester Evening News/Rochdale Observer)

Manager: Keith Hill

Ground: Crown Oil Arena

Ins: Aaron Wilbraham, David Perkins, MJ Williams, Brad Inman, Stephen Dooley

Outs: Keith Keane, Niall Canavan, Steve Davies

Expectations: There is a strong feeling that Keith Hill has a much stronger and fitter group of players this time around. That should help cut out the tendency to concede late goals on a regular basis. They are no longer reliant on talented but injury-prone players like Keith Keane and Steve Davies, there is quality all over the pitch and the midfield - an area of weakness last season - looks well stocked.

Main man: Dan Adshead. He's only 16 years old but Manchester United have been linked with a move for him and senior players in the squad have been raving about him for several months. He won't be a regular starter as Keith Hill will treat him with kid gloves, but he's a real prospect in midfield

Up: Sunderland, Barnsley, Scunthorpe

Down: Walsall, AFC Wimbledon, Shrewsbury, Bristol Rovers

Scunthorpe United

Paul Crute, Scunthorpe Telegraph

Manager: Nick Daws

Ground: Glanford Park

Ins: Olufela Olomola, Stephen Humphrys, Andy Dales, James Horsfield, Jonathan Flatt

Outs: Murray Wallace, Hakeeb Adelakun, Neal Bishop, Tom Hopper, Sam Mantom

Expectations: After two seasons where the Iron have reached the play-off semi-finals, fans are a bit more sceptical about what will happen this year. Some of the clubs best players have left and there has not been a massive influx of players. Midfield looks a major problem. At the present time a mid-table finish looks likely but one or two decent signings could change that.

Main man: Providing he stays Duane Holmes. The midfielder came into his own last season and his pace and skill caused problems for many a League One defence. He was the club’s second top scorer with eight goals and provided five assists last season and will be expected to cause plenty of problems for opponents next season.

Ups: Sunderland, Barnsley, Peterborough

Downs: Gillingham, Walsall, Accrington Stanley, Wycombe

Shrewsbury

Lewis Cox/Shropshire Star

Manager: John Askey

Ground: Montgomery Waters Meadow

Ins: Fejiri Okenabirhie, Josh Laurent, Charlie Colkett (loan), Joel Coleman (loan), Alex Gilliead

Outs: Abu Ogogo, Junior Brown, Alex Rodman, Craig MacGillivray

Expectations: Paul Hurst’s instant exit following the play-off heartbreak left fans gutted. The appointment of National League champ John Askey brought optimism but he had a tough start losing key out-of-contract players. Signings since, and some decent friendly displays, has seen confidence improve and Town should not find themselves in a relegation scrap this term. Mid-table safety would be great.

Main man: Alex Gilliead comes highly rated from Newcastle United, where Town beat a host of rivals for his signature. The 22-year-old winger has impressed on previous loans but this is a key time for him after departing his boyhood club. Askey likes to play with width and he fits the bill.

Up: Sunderland, Charlton, Peterborough

Down: Wycombe, Accrington, Gillingham, Rochdale

Southend United

Chris Phillips (Southend Echo)

Manager: Chris Powell

Ground: Roots Hall

Ins: Harry Lennon, Timothee Dieng, Sam Mantom, Tom Hopper, Luke Hyam

Outs: Anthony Wordsworth, Josh Wright, Marc-Antoine Fortune, Michael Timlin, Jermaine McGlashan

Expectations: Hopes are quite high among the fans following the improvements made under Chris Powell in the second half of last season. Powell took the Shrimpers from just above the relegation zone to 10th place in just 18 games.

Main man: Dru Yearwood. The 18-year-old midfielder broke into the team last season and was named in an England under 18 squad in the summer. He will be looking to push on again this season and enhance his ever-improving reputation in the game.

Up: Charlton, Sunderland and Plymouth

Down: Wycombe, Accrington, AFC Wimbledon, Walsall

Sunderland

Richard Mennear, Sunderland Echo

Manager: Jack Ross

Ground: Stadium of Light

Ins: Jon McLaughlin, Jack Baldwin, Dylan McGeouch, Luke O'Nien, Jerome Sinclair

Outs: Paddy McNair, Wahbi Khazri, Joel Asoro, Jason Steele, John O'Shea.

Expectations: I think the majority of fans would expect promotion from League One this season, with Jack Ross building a very competitive squad. Sunderland do, however, remain two strikers short, with Bradford City striker Charlie Wyke one of the main summer targets they hope to land before deadline day. Secure two strikers before the window shuts and this Sunderland side should be targeting automatic promotion after a dramatic summer on Wearside that has seen a major summer overhaul.

Main man: Dylan McGeouch. The Scotland international has been superb in pre-season since arriving in the summer, the deep-lying central midfielder makes Sunderland tick.

He is definitely one to watch this season as Sunderland target promotion back to the Championship.

Up: Sunderland, Barnsley, Luton Town.

Down: Accrington, Rochdale, Walsall, AFC Wimbledon.

Walsall

Joe Masi, Express & Star

Manager: Dean Keates

Ground: Banks's Stadium

Ins: Andy Cook, Zeli Ismail, Josh Ginnelly, Chris Dunn

Outs: Erhun Oztumer, Florent Cuvelier, Mark Gillespie, Jack Fitzwater (loan), Julien Ngoy (loan).

Expectations: After narrowly avoiding the drop last year, supporters are now hoping for a brighter campaign under club legend Dean Keates. With signings still to be made though, the squad is light on quality, experience and numbers. A top half-finish, which lays foundations for the future, is the aim.

Main man: Andy Cook has been snapped up after scoring 51 goals in 89 games for Tranmere in the National League. He’s already made a positive start after netting a brace in a 2-0 friendly win over Ajax. A target man who can finish, Cook will be key to Walsall fortunes.

Up: Portsmouth, Sunderland, Peterborough

Down: Doncaster, Wycombe, Accrington, AFC Wimbledon

Wycombe Wanderers

Nick Tunney (Bucks Free Press)

Manager: Gareth Ainsworth

Ground: Adams Park

Ins: Darius Charles, Ryan Allsop, Curtis Thompson

Outs: Scott Brown, Max Muller, Will De Havilland

Expectations: I think the expectation will be just to survive but they could definitely surprise a few teams in this division. After an absence of six years, Wanderers are back in League One in probably the best shape they have ever been and Gareth Ainsworth is one of the best young managers in the country

Main man: Adebayo Akinfenwa. ‘The Beast’ has been an incredible signing for the Chairboys and scored 18 goals last season as the Blues got promoted. Teams see Akinfenwa as just a battering ram but his close control is exceptional and his ability to bring team-mates into the game is second to none. He will strike fear into League One defences this season.

Up: Sunderland, Barnsley, Portsmouth

Down: Accrington, Gillingham,. AFC Wimbledon, Walsall