The full 2026/27 EFL League Two table predicted by AI | OneFootball

Football League World has seen how ChatGPT reckons next season's fourth tier will shape up ahead of pre-season

After Notts County's victory over Salford City in the League Two play-off final, we finally know the 24 teams that will make up the fourth tier for 2026/27.

Following their intense title race in the National League last season, plenty of EFL fans are intrigued to see how York City and Rochdale take to the Football League this coming term.

It's often the case that a newly promoted side doesn't encounter immediate relegation trouble, but will the former non-league outfits use that momentum from last year to perhaps even mount a play-off surge?

All eyes will definitely be on Northampton Town, Rotherham United, Port Vale and Exeter City following their relegation from League One to see whether any of them can stop the rot and secure immediate promotion back to the third tier.

Then, the likes of Salford, Chesterfield and Grimsby Town, who just missed out in the play-offs, plus Barnet, who fell short and Bristol Rovers, who went on a massive winning streak to end the campaign under Steve Evans, will definitely see themselves as potential challengers.

There's a lot to look forward to, and it's difficult to predict how things will end up looking this time next May. FLW has leaned on AI-based site ChatGPT to see how it thinks the fourth tier will finish next season.

24 ? ? Crawley Town

Crawley Town only just avoided what would have been a disastrous second consecutive relegation from League One to the National League this past season, and with just eight wins all season, many saw it as a miracle that they didn't succumb to the drop.

Colin Kazim-Richards had a decent start at the helm at the Broadfield Stadium, and if he can keep up his PPG record of 1.14 that he showed in his seven games in charge towards the end of the campaign, then the Red Devils may well be okay.

Unfortunately, AI doesn't reckon they will, and Crawley will find themselves in non-league this time next year.

23 ? ? Shrewsbury Town

Also predicted to make a drop from League One to the National League in the space of three seasons, along with Crawley, is Shrewsbury Town, who also didn't have the greatest of fourth-tier returns last year, but did end up finishing a comfortable 10 points above relegation.

Salop have been a League One side for the majority of the last decade, even securing a third-place finish back in the 2017/18 campaign, but recent times haven't been as enjoyable, and ChatGPT reckons they will continue next season.

A first relegation to non-league for Shrewsbury since 2003 could be on the cards.

22 ? ? Cheltenham Town

AI states that Cheltenham Town are "often in the relegation mix" and it doesn't think that the 2026/27 season will be any different at Whaddon Road.

The Robins had a truly disastrous start to the recent campaign, with things picking up under returning boss Steve Cotterill to the point where their safety was confirmed relatively early.

ChatGPT predicts no such luxury next season, but does feel that they'll survive by the skin of their teeth.

21 ? ? Accrington Stanley

Since their relegation from League One in the 2022/23 campaign, Accrington Stanley have finished 17th, 21st and 16th.

Despite the improvement this past year under John Doolan, AI still believes that Accrington were punching above their weight and will be, therefore, still scraping at the bottom of the division next season.

It'll be another term in the EFL secured for them, though, albeit a little disappointing after showing promise this past year.

20 ? ? Newport County

Christian Fuchs managed to take Newport County from the foot of the EFL back in November to safety on the final day with three wins in their final four league games.

It hasn't been the easiest ride for the former Leicester City top-flight winner, but ahead of his first full campaign, there may be some hope that he can oversee a season that at least doesn't have Exile fans worrying about the National League.

ChatGPT thinks it'll be back-to-back 20th-placed finishes, and yet another relegation battle in the fourth tier, though.

19 ? ? Northampton Town

It often can be difficult for recently relegated League One sides to stop the rot and immediately mount a play-off charge in the fourth tier, and AI feels that Northampton Town will struggle in 2026/27.

The Cobblers ended the campaign in one mighty slump, sinking like a stone down to the bottom of the third-tier table with just one league win in 2026 and 11 consecutive defeats to end the year.

New manager Chris Hogg has a lot to do at Sixfields to ensure that Northampton are fit for a play-off charge, and ChatGPT doesn't think that it'll be enough.

18 ? ? Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town have been languishing in League Two's mid-table ever since their decade-long stay in the third tier ended in 2024, finishing 14th and then 15th this past season.

It'll be interesting to see how Matt Lawlor copes in his first full season in management. At 37-years-old, he'll be battling with plenty of seasoned dugout professionals next year.

AI predicts a small drop in league position, with the Cod Army sitting 18th.

17 ? ? Tranmere Rovers

Tranmere Rovers simply have to improve from the off next season to avoid being immediately dragged into another relegation battle. Rovers' record in 2026 had them cut adrift at the bottom of the division, with just 12 points in 23 games.

In comes Darrell Clarke to try and turn things around, and if the 48-year-old can reflect what he's shown in the past at the likes of Port Vale and at times at Barnsley, then Tranmere may be okay. However, his last job at Bristol Rovers ended last season after 10 consecutive league defeats.

It could be a risky appointment, but one that ChatGPT doesn't think will end in relegation, at least.

16 ? ? Gillingham

For the third straight year since their relegation from League One, Gillingham started the campaign on the front foot before falling off drastically after the first month or two.

The past season saw Gareth Ainsworth's side go nine games unbeaten to begin the year before ultimately finishing 17th with just two wins in their final 13 games and three instances of conceding at least five goals in that time.

AI aren't predicting a fast start this time round, instead forecasting mediocrity throughout the campaign.

15 ? ? Bristol Rovers

A rather controversial choice from ChatGPT, as Bristol Rovers ended this past season in title-winning form under Steve Evans, winning 11 of their final 14 games and only losing to eventual Champions Bromley away from home in that time.

However, AI doesn't think that the momentum from the end of that season will propel the Gas into a promotion challenge, nor a play-off one, either.

Evans was promoted out of League Two in his last full season at the level with Stevenage, but not this year, according to ChatGPT.