COLCHESTER United are listed at 8/1 to win promotion this season, following the release of the League Two fixtures for the 2021/22 season.

The U’s are viewed at those odds to win automatic promotion from the fourth tier, according to bookmakers William Hill’s outright odds.

Hayden Mullins’ side are also regarded at 10/3 for a top-seven finish.

Salford City, managed by Gary Bowyer, are listed as 6/4 favourites for the League Two title by most bookmakers, followed by Nigel Clough’s Mansfield Town side and then Bristol Rovers, who were relegated from League One last season.

Forest Green Rovers, Bradford City and Exeter City are also listed as among the favourites to go up, this season.

Gazette:

Sutton United, who were promoted to the Football League for the first time in their history after winning the National League title, are seen as favourites for relegation by the bookmakers.

Barrow, who are preparing for their second successive season in League Two, are also tipped to struggle by the bookies.

Colchester will be looking to have a much-improved campaign, following their struggles in the final months of last season.

Mullins, working alongside advisor Paul Tisdale, took interim charge for the final eight games of the campaign and steered the U’s to safety with three wins, three draws and two defeats in his eight-game spell in temporary charge.

There has been plenty of change at the JobServe Community Stadium already, this summer.

Gazette:

In addition to Mullins being appointed as Colchester’s permanent boss and appointing Alex Dyer as his assistant, there has been a great deal of player movement, too.

The likes of Harry Pell, Tom Lapslie, Callum Harriott, Jevani Brown and Ben Stevenson have all moved on.

But Colchester have added six new players, including quartet Alan Judge, Freddie Sears, Luke Chambers and Cole Skuse from neighbours Ipswich Town.

Fans’ favourite Frank Nouble and Luke Hannant have also arrived, with more new signings expected before the season kicks off on August 7.

Colchester begin their season with a trip to play Carlisle United and follow that up with home games against Northampton Town and Mansfield Town.

Colchester’s players return for pre-season training on July 1.

League Two outright promotion odds for 2021-22 season (courtesy of William Hill, odds can be found here http://sports.williamhill.com/bet/en-ie/betting/e/20722876/English+League+2+2021+22+-+Promotion.html

Salford City – 6/4

Mansfield Town – 5/2

Bristol Rovers – 11/4

Forest Green Rovers – 11/4

Bradford City - 10/3

Exeter City – 10/3

Leyton Orient - 7/2

Newport City - 7/2

Northampton Town - 7/2

Rochdale - 7/2

Swindon Town - 7/2

Tranmere Rovers – 7/2

Carlisle United - 4/1

Port Vale - 4/1

Harrogate Town - 6/1

Walsall - 6/1

Colchester United - 8/1

Stevenage - 8/1

Crawley Town - 10/1

Oldham Athletic - 10/1

Scunthorpe United - 10/1

Barrow - 14/1

Sutton United – 14/1

Hartlepool United are not currently listed by William Hill but are rated at 15/2 for promotion, by Sky Bet.