Carlisle United are rated among the underdogs by bookmakers when it comes to the promotion race in League Two this season.

The Blues are as long as 40/1 to win the league and 9/1 for promotion in the latest odds ahead of the new campaign.

United, who finished 20th last season, have hopes of better things in 2022/23 under Paul Simpson - the last man to lead the club to promotion back in 2005/6.

Bookies, though, are looking elsewhere for the likely runners and riders at the top end of the table.

Big-spending National League champions Stockport County are the pre-season favourites to top the table again in the fourth tier.

They are 6/1 for the title with many bookmakers and 13/2 with others.

That puts them marginally ahead in the bookies' reckoning from Bradford City.

Mark Hughes' club, who have recruited heavily this summer, are rated 7/1 to claim the League Two crown.

News and Star: Paddy Madden is favourite to finish as top scorer in League Two (photo: PA)Paddy Madden is favourite to finish as top scorer in League Two (photo: PA)

Others fancied to be in the title running include another big-spender in Salford City (8/1) as well as losing play-off finalists Mansfield Town (11/1).

Northampton Town, who missed out on automatic promotion on the final day last term, are 10/1 to win League Two, with Swindon Town 14/1.

Others with shorter odds than the Blues include Tranmere Rovers, Walsall, Doncaster Rovers, Gillingham, Newport County, Crawley Town, Grimsby Town and Sutton United.

Rated similarly to United are Crewe Alexandra, while according to the bookmakers the Cumbrians have better prospects than Hartlepool United, Stevenage, Barrow, Harrogate Town and Colchester United.

The latter three have the longest title odds of 80/1 with Betway.

United, meanwhile, are 13/2 with SkyBet to make the play-offs, and 25/1 to be promoted that way.

A top-half finish for Simpson's side is 6/4.

Barrow are the pre-season relegation favourites with odds of 11/4 with Bet365.

United are 13/2 to go down, and 14/1 to finish bottom.

Stockport's ex-Carlisle striker Paddy Madden is among the favourites to be Legaue Two top scorer, at 8/1 with SkyBet. 

Swindon's former Blues man Harry McKirdy is also among the frontrunners at 12/1.

If you fancy Carlisle summer signing Ryan Edmondson to fire his way to the golden boot, odds of 50/1 are available with Bet Victor.

Omari Patrick is also a 50/1 shot, with Kristian Dennis 66/1.

Source: Oddschecker