The 2023/24 campaign gets underway this weekend and the excitement, as ever, is ramping up with the EFL season set to begin on Friday evening as Southampton, of the Premier League last season, go to newly-promoted Sheffield Wednesday in the Championship.

There are 72 clubs with their own hopes and aspirations of creating some history over the next nine or so months and, as a result, we, at Playmaker Stats, are running through every club with a preview and a prediction... which you cannot hold us to!

ACCRINGTON STANLEY

Manager: John Coleman

Last season: 23rd in League One

Transfers - see here.

Lauded as one of the biggest over-achievers in the EFL over recent seasons, Accrington Stanley succumbed to relegation from League One in May after a campaign when pretty much everything that could go wrong, did go wrong. 

Stanley's enjoyably downbeat manager John Coleman has done an outstanding job across his eight years in charge, but he was quick to take responsibility for his side dropping a division even before last season was over. 

“We have used the biggest budget we have had this season, but I haven’t used it at all wisely so I have to take the big rap for it," said Coleman prior to Stanley's final game of the season against Oxford, when his team's fate was sealed barring a massive goal difference swing. 

“Me getting it wrong, combined with a horrendous run of injuries (and a) bad disciplinary record, and we haven’t been able to do what we normally do and find a way.”

Truth be told, Stanley were always susceptible to a season plagued with ill-fortune, injuries and disciplinary problems (they picked up seven red cards in total!), and with the modest resources at Coleman's disposal, ultimately something had to give. 

However, Accrington were mostly competitive last term - even against the better sides in a strong division - and they will look to reestablish themselves as a force in League Two. 

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Manager Coleman has spoken about his desire to place more faith in the club's academy, but he has also added defensive depth this summer through Norwich loanees Brad Hills and Lewis Shipley, and the experienced Kelvin Mellor.

Although they will miss Port Vale-bound Mitchell Clark's forays down the right flank, Coleman has also snapped up Josh Andrew, another loanee from Birmingham, with an eye to giving Stanley physicality and firepower up front. 

Much like last season, Accrington could struggle if their new signings don't pan out and/or their injury list stacks up. 

However, Stanley are due a break and, with the canny Coleman in charge, we back them to find their way to a mid-table finish. 

Playmaker prediction: Mid-table finish.