7 clubs too big for EFL League One right now named and ranked by AI | OneFootball

AI has named the clubs it believes don't belong in England's third tier

The 2025/26 EFL League One season has been full of entertainment, and now the campaign is heading towards its final weeks.

Either side of the final international break of the season, there are still plenty of outcomes to be decided, whether that is the two sides who will win automatic promotion to the Championship, who will grab their spot for the post-season lottery that is the play-offs, and which four sides will suffer relegation down to League Two.

As is often the case, though, in the third tier, there is an intriguing mix of clubs when it comes to overall size - which is often determined by factors such as major trophies, the number of seasons spent in higher divisions and beyond, stadium capacity and the size of a potentially global fanbase.

Here at Football League World, we've called upon the services of AI-based chatbot, ChatGPT, to see if it can determine which seven clubs out of the current 24 in the division, theoretically, are deserving of being at a higher level as a result of their overall status.

7 ? ? Luton Town

Kickstarting the list in seventh place are Luton Town, who were featuring in the Premier League just two seasons ago, but have since fallen on hard times.

Despite their double-quick fall back to the third tier for the first time since winning the title in 2018/19, AI believes that the Hatters have a much stronger fanbase and infrastructure than at least 19 of their divisional rivals.

Although CEO Gary Sweet is coming under fire at present for developments at Kenilworth Road, the club are set to move into the 25,000-seater Power Court stadium by the beginning of 2028/29.

In sixth are fellow play-off hopefuls, Reading.

The Royals' recent history has been well-documented, with the current campaign being their first under Rob Couhig's ownership after flirting with the brink under his predecessor, Dai Yongge.

AI claims that Reading's recent Championship and Premier League history counts for a lot, and has helped provide the club with infrastructure levels that several other League One sides cannot compete with.

Up next are Wigan Athletic, who are still in danger of being relegated to League Two for the first time in 29 years despite Gary Caldwell's recent reappointment at the Brick Community Stadium.

Unsurprisingly, AI has factored in that the Latics have won the division three times within the past decade, as well as the fact they won the FA Cup and had a subsequent UEFA Europa League stint just 13 years ago.

Despite attendances not being the greatest at present, it has also taken into account that the Brick's overall capacity of 25,138 is extremely similar to that of clubs who are established at higher levels.

In fourth are Bradford City.

The West Yorkshire side are currently enjoying a fine first season back in League One since 2019, and could return to the Championship for the first time in 22 years if they were to win the play-offs.

Despite their mixed fortunes since the turn of the millennium, it has been well-documented that the Bantams are one of a select group of 'sleeping giants' in the lower tiers of the professional game in this country, backed up by the fact Valley Parade is often sold-out on matchdays.

However, it will no doubt sting for them to learn that AI believes Huddersfield Town are the third-biggest team in the League whose recent status is worthy of being in a higher division.

Indeed, just seven years ago, the Terriers were a Premier League side, and they came close to returning just four years ago under the management of Carlos Corberan.

Again, AI has cited the resources at Liam Manning's disposal as a key reason behind the selection, with American owner, Kevin Nagle, certainly doing all he can to help a total of three permanent managers achieve promotion since their relegation back to this level two years ago.

2 ? ? Bolton Wanderers

Taking the runners-up spot in this list are Bolton Wanderers.

The Whites have spent the last seven years at League One or League Two level as they rebuilt after facing extinction before being taken over by Sharon Brittan in August 2019.

Despite those hard times, AI has cited that expectation levels in this part of Lancashire are sky-high in League One as supporters expect the club to at least be in the Championship.

However, the club who were European regulars 20 years ago are yet to return, although it could be third-time lucky for Steven Schumacher's side in the play-offs this term, having suffered heartbreak in 2023 and 2024.

However, AI believes the club that are the biggest of all in League One, and don't really belong in the division are Cardiff City.

The Bluebirds were relegated from the Championship for the first time since 2003 last term, but have bounced back immediately under Brian Barry-Murphy despite having an extremely youthful side.

Unsurprisingly, a key factor behind the selection, again, is the sheer quality of the infrastructure in this part of South Wales, which is exemplified by the 33,280-seater Cardiff City Stadium.

At present, City are on track to regain their second tier status immediately, whilst they also impressed in the EFL Cup, making it to the quarter-finals against Club World Cup champions, Chelsea, after defeating Burnley and Wrexham earlier in the competition.