Relegation, bankruptcy, and an almost complete squad change will see the Shots compete against the odds to stay up this season. Boss Martin Scott will have only a few days to build his squad to overcome a ten point deduction, with his team losing to three Conf South sides in pre-season.
Alfreton - Last season 13th - Bookies 200/1 (18th=)
Boss Nicky Law has added experience to his squad this summer, with 36 year old Chris Westwood being joined by 33 year olds John McGrath and Nick Fenton. The Bookies expect a struggle after several of their regular players departed for pastures new, but the retention of 17 goal striker Paul Clayton should help keep them clear of danger.
Barnet - Last season L2 23rd (R) - Bookies 16/1 (8th)
What the &%$£ is Edgar Davids doing in the Conference? 18 years after winning the Champions League with Ajax, Davids will enter his first full campaign as a player-manager in a new stadium and a radically altered side. A string of continental signings have joined Davids, as well as a handful of Dutch coaches. It could all go right, it could all go horribly wrong.
Braintree - Last season 9th - Bookies 125/1 (14th=)
Alan Devonshire's side is, unusually for a team facing their second Conference season, largely unchanged from last term. The only signing so far is former Watford trainee Chez Isaac, with two or three more still on trial. The lack of movement is often good news, but the failure to sign new faces hints that they will settle for mid-table comfort rather than any aspirations to kick on.
Cambridge - Last season 14th - Bookies 12/1 (6th)
Richard Money has raided the part-timers of the Conference to rebuild the U's on a budget. Three defenders and 21 goal striker Adam Cunnington have come from Tamworth and Dartford as part of a slew of summer transfer business that has seen close to 30 players feature in moves in or out of the Abbey Stadium - the majority heading for the exit.
Chester - Last season ConfN 1st (P) - Bookies 14/1 (7th)
Chester's top brass are surprised by the lofty expectations placed on them by the bookies. No significant change in budget, and a largely settled side, sees the Blues happy for consolidation this term. The summer loss of playmaker Antoni Sarcevic to Fleetwood has been balanced by the arrival of a trio of older heads including midfielder Danny Harrison.