League Two returns this weekend with 12 opening-day fixtures, headlined by newly promoted York City hosting Bristol Rovers.
The opening round takes place on Saturday 15 August, with Newport County v Rochdale and Oldham v Port Vale getting the season under way at 12.30pm.
Predictions
Grimsby Town to beat Exeter City – 4/5
Grimsby begin as the shortest-priced home winner on the card, and Blundell Park should give them a significant opening-day advantage. The Mariners have the familiar surroundings, a committed home support and a fixture that looks well suited to starting quickly.
Exeter have enough quality to make a contest of it, but the market’s confidence in Grimsby is understandable. The home side should be sharper early and can take control if they impose themselves physically and make the most of set-piece opportunities.
Prediction: Grimsby Town 2-1 Exeter City
York City to beat Bristol Rovers – 6/5
York City return to League Two with momentum after their National League title-winning campaign, and an opening home match against Bristol Rovers is a major early opportunity. The LNER Community Stadium should be bouncing for the club’s first game back in the division.
Bristol Rovers arrive for their second successive season in the league but York’s confidence, energy and home advantage make them a compelling choice at a shade of odds against.
Prediction: York City 2-1 Bristol Rovers
Barnet to beat Salford City – 13/10
Barnet are another side with a chance to make a statement immediately. Salford have regularly carried high expectations into League Two seasons, but the opening day can be a difficult time to face a promoted club full of belief.
The Bees have the profile of a side capable of making a fast start: aggressive at home, organised without the ball and ready to embrace the occasion. At 13/10, Barnet look one of the more interesting home-win selections on the coupon.
Prediction: Barnet 2-1 Salford City
Oldham Athletic v Port Vale – Draw at 21/10
This is one of the most intriguing early kick-offs. Oldham face Port Vale who are adjusting to life in League Two after relegation. Both sides will see the fixture as a chance to set a positive early tone, which could make for a tense rather than open encounter.
Port Vale possess the pedigree, but Oldham’s home support and freshness could keep them level. The draw makes the most sense.
Prediction: Oldham Athletic 1-1 Port Vale
Tranmere Rovers v Shrewsbury Town – Draw at 21/10
Two sides who will want to turn a new page meet at Prenton Park. Tranmere have home advantage, but Shrewsbury bring the motivation of a side looking to respond after just avoiding relegation last season.
Neither may want to overcommit in the first game of a long season, so a close, low-scoring draw feels the likeliest outcome.
Prediction: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Shrewsbury Town
Newport County v Rochdale – Newport to win at 2/1
Newport are attractive opening-day outsiders at Rodney Parade. Rochdale return to the EFL with understandable momentum after promotion, but this is a demanding first assignment against a home side that should relish making an early statement in front of its own supporters.
The conditions and atmosphere in south Wales can make Newport awkward opponents, especially for sides still adapting to the intensity of League Two football. This could be a tight contest, but Newport’s home advantage makes 2/1 worth considering.
Prediction: Newport County 2-1 Rochdale
Accrington Stanley v Colchester United – Colchester to win at 17/10
Colchester travel north as slight outsiders, but they appeal at 17/10 in what looks like one of the more finely balanced games on the card. Accrington are usually resilient at the Wham Stadium, so a straightforward away win should not be expected, but Colchester have enough quality to make their superior attacking options count.
Opening matches can be scrappy, and this one may come down to which side manages the big moments better. Colchester have the potential to take control in possession and create the clearer chances, particularly if Accrington leave spaces while pushing for a home win.
Prediction: Accrington Stanley 1-2 Colchester United
Cheltenham Town v Rotherham United – Rotherham to win at 6/4
Rotherham begin their League Two campaign determined to respond after relegation, and they look well placed to make a winning start at Cheltenham. There will be pressure on the Millers to deliver immediately, but their squad should carry more experience of high-stakes EFL football than most teams in this division.
Cheltenham are likely to be difficult to break down, particularly in front of their own fans, but Rotherham’s physicality and depth should tell as the game opens up. The 6/4 price represents a fair route into an away team that will be targeting a promotion challenge.
Prediction: Cheltenham Town 1-2 Rotherham United
Chesterfield v Fleetwood Town – Fleetwood to win at 16/5
Fleetwood are a bigger-price selection, but 16/5 looks generous for an away side with the capability to upset Chesterfield. The Spireites will carry expectation into the season and should be backed strongly at the SMH Group Stadium, but that pressure can work against them on opening day.
Fleetwood’s focus will be on staying compact, frustrating the home side and taking advantage of transitions. If they can keep the game level into the final half-hour, they have every chance of finding the decisive moment against a side likely to commit bodies forward.
Prediction: Chesterfield 1-2 Fleetwood Town
Crawley Town v Crewe Alexandra – Crewe to win at 17/10
Crewe have a strong case at 17/10, particularly if they can establish their passing rhythm early. Crawley will be eager to use their home crowd and start with intensity, but Crewe’s ability to retain possession and exploit gaps between the lines can make them dangerous in an end-to-end game.
This is a fixture that could produce goals. Crawley have enough attacking threat to get on the scoresheet, but Crewe’s composure and potential to create chances through patient build-up make them the preferred pick.
Prediction: Crawley Town 1-2 Crewe Alexandra
Gillingham v Walsall – Gillingham to win at 5/4
Gillingham are narrow favourites for good reason. A packed Priestfield Stadium can provide a major early-season lift, and the Gills should be difficult to face if they start on the front foot.
Walsall have the ability to make this a close contest, but Gillingham’s home advantage and direct, combative style could prove decisive. Set pieces may be especially important, and the hosts look likely to edge a contest where neither side is expected to dominate for 90 minutes.
Prediction: Gillingham 2-1 Walsall
Northampton Town v Swindon Town – Swindon to win at 12/5
Swindon are the standout longer-priced away selection on the opening weekend. At 12/5, they are being asked to overcome a difficult trip to Northampton, but the price creates an opportunity for anyone who expects their attacking talent to settle fastest.
Northampton will make the game physical and competitive, so Swindon must show composure in the first hour. If they manage that, their sharper players can punish any defensive lapse. The safer route may be Swindon in the draw-no-bet market, but the outright price is the one that catches the eye.
Prediction: Northampton Town 1-2 Swindon Town
