Carlton Palmer drops prediction involving Birmingham City, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town | OneFootball

Palmer has been speaking to FLW about the potential promotion race in League One

Carlton Palmer's tips for promotion from League One have remained unchanged after the first two months of the campaign.

In what has been an extremely competitive division up until this point, plenty of sides throughout the division have come under the spotlight for a whole host of reasons.

Numerous sides with ex- Premier League and Championship pedigree are so often expected to challenge for promotion back to the second tier, such as Birmingham City, who currently lead the way after their first 11 games of the season.

There is an even greater focus on the division this season through the likes of Wrexham, who have had an even stronger return to the third tier than many anticipated at this moment in time, whilst credit must also be given to the likes of Mansfield Town and Exeter City, who currently find themselves in the play-off places.

Of course, there is a long way to go in the season. But, even with just 10 points splitting the aforementioned Red Dragons in 2nd to Rotherham United in 17th, Palmer's pre-season predictions have remained unchanged at this moment in time.

Carlton Palmer namedrops Birmingham City, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town in unchanged promotion claim

Despite the congested nature of the table at present and the expectancy Palmer has placed on a handful of sides to push on after slight drop-offs in form, the 58-year-old expects Birmingham City, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town to be the three sides promoted to the Championship in May.

"League One looks like a very, very tough and competitive league this season," he told Football League World.

"At this moment in time, if we go down to Stevenage in 11th place - they have a game in hand on Peterborough who are above them - and on 17 points. You've got nine teams from Bolton and Stevenage in 14th and 13th, up to Huddersfield in 5th, who are separated by just two points. That's how competitive the league will be," Palmer stated.

"Stockport have dropped off a little bit, but I expect them to kick on. I expect Barnsley to kick on."

"Who are my three to get promoted? I think Birmingham City and Wrexham. I think Birmingham will win the league and Wrexham will be there or thereabouts," the pundit predicted.

"Wycombe are doing really well, as are Mansfield. But, I'm going for my three picks from the start of the season. I'm going with Birmingham City, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town to get promoted," he claimed. "But as I said, it is a really tough league."

"Why? Birmingham City and Wrexham have the resources. It's as simple as that, and they'll go again in the January transfer window."

"Huddersfield Town. There's been a lot of change at the football club, but I just have a feeling that, with the manager they've got (Michael Duff), who's been there, seen it and done it before," Palmer continued.

"He did a really good job at Barnsley. I know it didn't work out for him at Swansea. But, I just fancy Huddersfield Town (to get promoted)," he added. "But, as I've said, once it becomes the play-offs, it's a lottery."

"You look at the fantastic job Reading are doing at the moment, Barnsley and Stockport on the outside. It's just so competitive all the way down."

Birmingham City, Wrexham and Huddersfield Town's chances of promotion to the Championship

At present, you would be hard-pressed to find anyone who can't see Birmingham City making an immediate return to the second tier after accumulating 28 points out of a possible 33, which is two points more at this stage than the Wolves side of 2013/14 which broke the divisional points record of 103.

Chris Davies has an abundance of talent throughout the squad to choose from, with the likes of Christoph Klarer, Tomoki Iwata, Paik Seung-Ho and Jay Stansfield being the standout performers at St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park so far this campaign.

Wrexham's start to the season hasn't gone unnoticed either, given the backing of Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, with Phil Parkinson's side more-than holding their own and turning over a number of sides who have started the season strongly, such as Wycombe, Reading and Bolton, whilst taking four points from six against Rotherham United and Huddersfield is also a respectable return.

Strong form at the STōK Cae Ras has been a staple of the club's rise from the National League into League One, and that has continued into 2024/25 with 16 of their 24 points being accumulated in North Wales.

Huddersfield currently find themselves in fifth place on 19 points, having started to regain their consistency after suffering four successive defeats between September 21st and October 1st.

Michael Duff has a squad filled with experience and quality beyond League One, as well as his own experiences of mounting a promotion bid at Oakwell two seasons ago to call upon.

Josh Koroma has been the standout performer for the Terriers so far with four goals in nine appearances, as well as Matty Pearson, Mickel Miller and Nigel Lonwijk.

Of course, there are still just under seven months of the season to go, but Palmer's trio of picks have certainly proven on occasions that they can achieve promotion.