Carlisle United Favourites to win 2025/26 National League
Carlisle Head the Market but Expect Chaos Behind the Curtain
The dust has barely settled on another whirlwind Football League campaign, but already the focus has shifted to the not-so-genteel battlefield of the Vanarama National League. And what a contest it promises to be this time around, with household names, fallen giants, and plucky upstarts all jostling for the one thing that really matters at this level: getting the heck out of it.
Carlisle United Favourite – But Is It Ever That Simple?
After dropping through the League Two trapdoor, Carlisle United have emerged as the clear favourites to bounce straight back up as champions. With Mark Hughes bizarrely deciding he’d rather stay in the dugout for a trip to Truro than a golf course in Marbella, the Cumbrians are priced as short as 12/5 and available at best odds of 3/1 to top the division.
It’s no great surprise. They’ve got the infrastructure, the stadium, and a Carlisle United manager with a CV that includes Premier League touchlines and FA Cup finals. Still, the National League has humbled many an EFL exile before, and Carlisle will need to handle the slog of midweek fixtures, pothole pitches, and long-haul coach rides to deepest Cornwall.
Speaking of which, Carlisle’s away days will reach record-breaking distances this season. Their match-up with newly-promoted Truro City, clocking in at around 870 miles return, will be the second longest domestic away trip in the history of English football. Add in a jaunt to Gateshead for Truro (900 miles return) and you’ve got another entry for the record books. If nothing else, bring snacks and a sturdy bladder.
York City Sitting Pretty Near the Top
Hot on Carlisle’s heels are York City, who are also priced at 3/1, and in some places as short as 5/2. Ambition has never been York’s issue – and this summer looks no different. Investment continues behind the scenes and there’s a real sense that this is their time. The bookmakers certainly seem convinced, and if momentum builds early, York could very well be the ones to watch.
Forest Green and Rochdale – League Two Leftovers With a Point to Prove
Next in line, Forest Green Rovers at 13/2 are the kind of wildcard club you can never fully ignore. Yes, their drop from League Two was less than graceful, but they’ve kept a decent spine and could pose a threat if things click under new leadership.
Rochdale, meanwhile, have settled into non-league life with a bit more composure and are 8/1 to go one better this season. With some savvy recruitment and the experience of last year under their belts, they could be the ones who quietly pick teams off and surge up the table when no one’s paying attention.
The Former League Clubs Who’ve Seen It All
Southend United come in at 12/1, which tells its own story. Once battling it out in the Championship, now battling HMRC and slow starts on cold Tuesday nights. Still, there’s history and passion at Roots Hall and they’re no strangers to a promotion scrap.
Morecambe at 20/1, Scunthorpe United at 22/1, and Halifax Town at 28/1 all fall into the category of “on their day, dangerous”. But stringing wins together in this league is a different beast altogether. Altrincham and Hartlepool, both at 33/1, are similarly positioned – competent, competitive, and occasionally capable of brilliance, but perhaps a touch short on the consistency needed to truly challenge.
The Outsiders and the Hopers
Beyond the main contenders, we descend into longer shots and wild speculation. Sutton United sit at 40/1, their slide from League Two still fresh and painful. Tamworth make an appearance at 50/1, while Solihull Moors float around 66/1, hoping to recapture the form that once made them promotion contenders.
From here, we plunge into the triple-figure dreamers. Gateshead and Eastleigh can be backed at 80/1, while Aldershot, Yeovil, and Braintree Town all stand at 100/1.
Then come the true long shots. Woking, Wealdstone, Boston United, Brackley Town, and Boreham Wood are all drifting at 150/1. Finally, we have Truro City, fresh off promotion and with a team part-time in name but not in effort – also 150/1. They may not have title aspirations, but they’ll definitely have satnavs worn thin before Christmas.
Free Bets and Offers to Watch
With the season still in its infancy, punters are spoiled for choice when it comes to free bet offers. William Hill are offering Bet £10 Get £30 in free bets deal for new customers – a lovely way to spread your stake across a couple of favourites and a cheeky outsider.
Whether you’re going all in on Carlisle’s bounce-back or chucking a fiver on Boston United for the laugh, don’t forget to shop around. These long old National League campaigns often produce a surprise or two.
Final Word
The National League might not have the glitz and glamour of the top flight, but it does have the grit, the narrative, and, increasingly, the betting markets to rival anything above it. With former Premier League managers on touchlines, record-breaking away days, and more banana skins than a Mario Kart circuit, the 2025/26 National League title race promises to be unforgettable.
Carlisle might be favourites. But favourites don’t always win.
Just ask Wrexham… the first time.
