AI predicts how Bradford City, Port Vale, Doncaster and AFC Wimbledon will get on in League One | OneFootball

We asked AI how the four promoted sides out of League Two will fare in the third tier next season

AFC Wimbledon's play-off final win over Walsall meant that they will join Doncaster Rovers, Port Vale and Bradford City in League One next season.

Whilst it's very unlikely that these sides will follow in the footsteps of Wrexham and pick up a second consecutive promotion into the Championship, they'll all be hoping they can at least avoid following in the footsteps of Crawley Town, ensuring their stay in the third tier lasts for longer than a single season.

Doncaster were the only team to win at least half of their games in League Two last season - was this because the fourth tier was that competitive, and anyone could beat everyone? Or was this past season one of little quality without a clear League One-ready side, leading many to believe that this upcoming campaign will be a long one for the sides venturing into the third division?

Football League World asked ChatGPT to get an idea of how AI feels each of the newly promoted sides will fare in the third tier next season.

Doncaster Rovers

After failing in the play-offs in 2024, Doncaster Rovers finished strongly on an 11-game unbeaten run to ensure they'd end this season atop League Two.

ChatGPT believes that Grant McCann's side needs to strengthen the squad further if they are going to make their first season back in the third tier since 2021/22 a memorable one.

Doncaster have started to do so already ahead of the summer transfer window opening on June 1st, securing the signing of former Leeds United academy man Robbie Gotts from Barrow. The 25-year-old made 170 appearances for the Cumbrian side and has been one of the standout midfield options in League Two over the past five seasons.

You'd expect Donny to continue to bolster the squad ahead of next season, and if they can do that, whilst also ensuring that Luke Molyneux remains at Eco-Power Stadium, Grant McCann's side will likely avoid a serious relegation battle.

Port Vale

Port Vale will be looking to learn from their mistakes two seasons ago and avoid a second League One relegation in three years next term.

AI highlighted the experience that the Vale side has as the primary reason they could stay up. Despite manager Darren Moore failing to keep the side up in the 2023/24 campaign, he has managed in the Championship as recently as 2024, and masterminded the 5-1 play-off semi-final comeback for Sheffield Wednesday against Peterborough United.

And then in terms of players, the likes of Jayden Stockley, Ronan Curtis, and former Manchester United back-up goalkeeper Ben Amos will provide enough experience already in the Vale squad before they even think about making signings.

ChatGPT highlighted Ryan Croasdale as a key player too, due to his leadership quality, but he also has a point to prove next season. The 30-year-old wasn't allowed a crack at League One this season after winning League Two with Stockport in 2023 - he'll be champing at the bit for his first taste of third-tier action next season.

Bradford City

The Bantams secured promotion in the most dramatic of fashions, beating Fleetwood Town 1-0 thanks to a stoppage-time goal from the League Two promotion king Antoni Sarcevic, securing his eighth career promotion, and his fifth from League Two.

Perhaps part of Bradford's survival hopes could depend on whether the 33-year-old wants another crack at League One after three and a half years playing in League Two and the National League, but ChatGPT have instead fixated on the young talent emerging at Valley Parade.

Bobby Pointon was a name highlighted with the 21-year-old enjoying a breakout year for the Bantams, making 40 League Two appearances. But Bradford also have Crystal Palace loanee Tayo Adaramola, if Bradford look to bring the wing-back back, who will be eager to prove himself in League One following a rough loan spell at Stockport in the first half of the 2024/25 season, and Calum Kavanagh leading the line, both of whom are also 21.

Graham Alexander will be looking to make an impact in his first season as a League One boss since his days managing Scunthorpe United in the mid-to-late 2010s, and it seems that AI feels creating a squad varied in age will do the trick.

AFC Wimbledon

Wimbledon goalkeeper Owen Goodman kept 25 clean sheets in all competitions last season and didn't concede a goal at all in their play-off campaign.

Whilst AI didn't necessarily single out the Crystal Palace loanee as a man Johnnie Jackson needs to bend over backwards to bring back ahead of next season's League One campaign, it does believe that maintaining their defensive solidity will be key to avoiding relegation in their first season back in the third tier.

The Dons may be looking to remain robust and use their exceptional defence to provide a chance at staying up, but it has to be said that their attacking output needs to improve too, as there's little to no guarantee that they will keep close to 21 clean sheets in an improved division.

Wimbledon placed 12th in goals scored in League Two this past season, with only Colchester United scoring fewer among those who finished in the top half.

Clearly, whilst ensuring that their defensive solidarity sticks around will give them a fighting chance at survival next season, upgrading the frontline has to be as important.