LEAGUE TWO PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

BURY v CHELTENHAM

Despite Cheltenham finally starting to look a lot better under Duff it is very hard to see any side winning at Gigg Lane with Bury in such good form. The Shakers have lost just once at home all season and have a host of players in excellent goal scoring form. Nicky Maynard actually scored a hat-trick last time he played the Robins back in 2008 as a Crewe player. If Tyrone Barnett can effectively hold the ball up then Cheltenham may be able to find some joy but am backing the Shakers in this one.

PREDICTION: 2-0 Bury

CREWE v CAMBRIDGE

Crewe will be targeting this one as a must win after a poor display at Crawley. There is a core of young talent but a tendency to switch off and make too many mistakes has cost them. Cambridge played really well against Bury and got back level despite having only 10 men. They have to find a way of taking their chances if they are to move up to a position in the table more befitting of their performances.

PREDICTION: 2-1 Cambridge

EXETER v MACCLESFIELD

Exeter have put in a couple of solid back-to-back performances but haven’t grabbed the points in either and have not won in six in the league. Northampton were fortunate to escape with a point in the last game at St James Park and sorry Macclesfield face a tough night. They will be happier after beating Yeovil at the weekend but it is hard to see how they can beat an Exeter side full of quality.

PREDICTION: 3-0 Exeter

FOREST GREEN v COLCHESTER

This will be a very interesting game. Forest Green are playing some excellent football and are still right up there despite losing marksman Christian Doidge early in the campaign. Colchester must improve on the road if they are to meet top three expectations. They have some injury concerns that could hit them hard but you’d expect them to be able to use their squad to cover those absentees.

PREDICTION: 1-1 draw

GRIMSBY v TRANMERE

Where would the Mariners be without James McKeown? The stopper made a magical save against Northampton to help his team grab a point that should give them some confidence. Hard to see them keeping Tranmere from scoring but they are have looking more potent going forward in the last couple of games.

PREDICTION: 2-2 draw

MANSFIELD v CRAWLEY

Mansfield left it late to grab a point at Sincil Bank despite a poor second-half display. They have played a lot of games and fatigue appears to be playing a part. They face a Crawley side that like away days about as much as Jacob Rees-Mogg likes eastern European hippies camping on his lawn. I fear they will be leaving Nottinghamshire without much to show for it.

PREDICTION: 3-1 Mansfield

MILTON KEYNES v MORECAMBE

A shock defeat at Stevenage will be used as a learning curve for Tisdale’s side and Morecambe could bear the brunt. The Shrimps have battled to four unbeaten and will need that same fighting spirit if they are to escape with anything from Buckinghamshire on Tuesday evening.

PREDICTION: 3-1 MK Dons

NEWPORT v NORTHAMPTON

Newport face another tough fixture after falling to defeat at Cheltenham last time out. The Cobblers are no longer the push overs they were earlier in the season however Newport have so much character you feel they can match any side on their day. Mike Flynn will be determined to get back to winning ways in this one and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them do it.

PREDICTION: 2-1 Newport

NOTTS COUNTY v CARLISLE

Notts County have a manager in Neal Ardley that should be able to make them harder to beat though he won’t officially take charge of a game until December. Their defence has been dreadful this season conceding shots in central areas far too easily. The Cumbrians are so much better on the road that you would imagine that they will fancy upsetting County at Meadow Lane. Kristian Dennis is starting to hit a bit of form and the Magpies desperately need some of their stars to shine sooner rather than later.

PREDICTION: 2-1 Carlisle

OLDHAM v LINCOLN

Lincoln are on a run of just one win in five but three of those have been draws. Their away form is second only to Forest Green in League Two and they possess a squad full of quality. Oldham have shown some glimpses in recent matches that they can be a side pushing at the right end of the table but will miss the creative spark offered by Jose Baxter. I think it will be a physical battle which will be shaded by the visitors.

PREDICTION: 1-0 Lincoln

SWINDON v STEVENAGE

Richie Wellens has had a bit more time with his new side to stamp his style on the team. If they can start to perform more consistently then you might start to see them climb the table. Stevenage are certainly a surprise package so far this campaign and are coming off the back of a brilliant 3-2 win over MK Dons. I think that should give them a lot of encouragement but still see the points being shared.

PREDICTION: 2-2 draw

YEOVIL v PORT VALE

Yeovil’s patched-up squad fell to defeat at Macclesfield at the weekend and face a Port Vale side likely to be fired up after a poor showing at Vale Park this weekend. After a good start Yeovil have struggled winning just one of their last 10 games. They are missing key defender Omar Sowunmi and were without both Olomola and Fisher at Moss Rose so am going for a tight Vale win here.

PREDICTION: 1-0 Port Vale

Words James Richards, D3D4 Football