By Charlie Oxtoby (sports aficionado the-sports-buff.com)
The fifth tier of English Football prepares for its opening weekend this Saturday.
The National League is becoming bigger with some clubs consistently receiving high attendances from last season.
While we do approach the start of the season, Football fans are sensing the three teams that will contest for the league title.
Given their performances and efforts from the previous season, here are the three favourites to book automatic promotion to EFL League Two.
York City
After an incredible season finishing in second, it all went downhill for the Minstermen after comfortable 3-0 loss to Oldham Athletic in the Play-Off Semi Final.
However, that may be the start of something positive with the promising future they have thanks to the investment from City’s owners Matthew Uggla and Julie-Anne Uggla.
The Yorkshire side have been busy, signing Central Midfielders, Hiram Boateng from Mansfield Town and Ollie Banks from Chesterfield, as well as key defends like Ashley Palmer and Mark Kitching.
York City have not played in League Two since 2016 as they aim to make their long-awaited return to fourth-tier Football.
Carlisle United
After 10 consecutive years in League Two, The Cumbrians suffered relegation, placing 23rd in the table.
But that does not mean they will stay in the fifth tier of English football as the fans will expect promotion since the club have not been involved in non-league football for 20 years.
Mark Hughes’ side have not been afraid to think outside the box about their transfers, especially after signing David Ajiboye from Peterbrough and Bevis Mugabi from Anorthosis in the Cyprus League.
If there is ever a redeeming season that Carlisle United will want, it will certainly be this as they aim to climb back into the fourth division.
Forest Green Rovers
Comfortably placing third last season, it seemed like the play-off final would be in site for the Green Army, but a loss to Southend United, on penalties, in the semi-final proved to not be the case.
The club made a huge decision to sack Steve Cotterill and bring in Macclesfield manager, Robbie Savage, who had a dominant season in the Northern Premier League.
While signing some of his players from the Silkmen, Savage has also brought in Abraham Kanu on loan from Reading and Rochdale striker, Kairo Mitchell.
Two seasons ago, Forest Green Rovers were playing in League Two as they make their second attempt to bounce back under a new and recognised boss.
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