Welcome to the second Last Word On Football EFL League Two preview of the season. With the cobwebs out of the way from the opening weekend, it’s time to look ahead at the second round of fixtures from the fourth-tier of English football.
League Two Preview: Matchweek 2
Key Games
Plymouth Argyle v Colchester United
Two sides who are likely to occupy the top seven will clash this weekend. For Plymouth Argyle, they’ll look to make it two wins from two. As for Colchester United, they are looking for their first win of the campaign.
The Pilgrims started the season with a convincing 3-0 win away to Crewe Alexandra. Summer signing Callum McFadzean’s double and Joel Grant’s goal capped off a routine opening day. Ryan Lowe has started life at Home Park positively, after a busy summer in the transfer window it looks as if his investment may return the points.
On the other hand, the U’s missed out on the play-offs at the final hurdle last season. Also, they began their campaign with a perhaps underwhelming 1-1 draw at home to Port Vale. Tom Pope gave Vale the lead inside five minutes from the spot but Luke Norris secured a point for the Essex side with his equaliser on the stroke of half-time. Despite the season’s early days, manager John McGreal will be hoping to kick on and go one better this season.
While both sides will aim to finish in the top seven, there is no doubt they both have different aspirations. Argyle will look to finish in the top three, automatic promotion back to League One would be ideal for Lowe’s side. Whereas the U’s will push on for a play-off spot, something they have narrowly missed on more than one occasion in the past few seasons.
Walsall v Forest Green Rovers
Another two sides hoping to be contending in the play-off realm and above in Walsall and Forest Green Rovers will clash at the Bescot Stadium on Saturday. Both sides began their 2019/20 campaigns with respective 1-0 wins.
Relegated Walsall started life back in the fourth-tier with a 1-0 win over Northampton Town at Sixfields. James Clarke’s 13th-minute goal proved to be enough to give manager Darrell Clarke a winning start.
Forest Green Rovers were helped to a 1-0 win thanks to Taylor Allen, whose 72nd-minute goal saw off Oldham Athletic. Manager Mark Cooper will be looking to avenge his sides play-off semi-final heartbreak back in May, with a stronger campaign this season.
Both sides have started their campaigns off on the right foot. However, something has to give, as the two sides meet on the weekend and both sides will have the opportunity to become early pace setters.
Predictions
Plymouth Argyle v Colchester United
Plymouth Argyle look as if they’ll be the division’s leading side this season, in terms of quality. However, there is no question Colchester have the ability to make life tough for sides in the division. Ultimately, it is hard to put it past the Pilgrims and their early momentum for a second win.
Plymouth Argyle 2-0 Colchester United
Walsall v Forest Green Rovers
In what has the potential to be game of the day in League Two, perhaps we can expect some goals in this encounter. Both sides won’t pull any punches, especially if they’re both serious about their ambitions this season. However, on the day the Saddlers have more capability of providing that extra bit of quality.
Walsall 2-1 Forest Green Rovers
Grimsby Town v Bradford City
A positive start for Grimsby Town last weekend as they beat Morecambe 2-0 away. Visitors Bradford earned a point in a 0-0 draw against Cambridge United. As for this fixture, the Bantams will need that early win to really kick start their campaign, and their quality and depth has every potential to boast itself.
Grimsby Town 0-2 Bradford City
Cheltenham Town v Scunthorpe United
It was a rough start for both sides last weekend. Cheltenham Town went down 1-0 at Leyton Orient and were reduced to nine men. As for Scunthorpe United, they were beaten 2-0 at home to Swindon Town. The Irons will be out to set the record straight and get their season started, a solid performance is very much a possibility for Paul Hurst’s side.
Cheltenham Town 0-2 Scunthorpe United
Crawley Town v Salford City
Crawley picked up where they left off last season, losing their opening day game 2-0 at Carisle United. On the other hand, Salford City were victorious 2-0 over Stevenage in the first League Two game of the season. While many believe Salford will have too much quality for the Reds, the Sussex side will look to make it an uncomfortable afternoon.
Crawley Town 1-1 Salford City
Macclesfield Town v Leyton Orient
The Silkmen narrowly lost 1-0 to Exeter City last weekend, whereas the O’s opened their campaign with a 1-0 home win over Cheltenham Town. Both sides will be hoping to establish themselves in the division this season, thus a scrappy game could be a prospect between the two sides, a point would suit both.
Macclesfield Town 1-1 Leyton Orient
Mansfield Town v Morecambe
Mansfield came from behind to draw 2-2, earning a point against Newport County. Morecambe were beaten 2-0 at home to Grimbsy Town, in what could be another long season for the Shrimps. The Stags invested well in the summer and on paper have a strong side, that strength in quality will show this weekend.
Mansfield Town 3-1 Morecambe
Oldham Athletic v Crewe Alexandra
Both sides started the season with a whimper. Oldham were beaten 1-0 at Forest Green Rovers and Crewe were thumped 3-0 by Plymouth Argyle. They are both in need of the three points, as both sides could expect to endure long seasons ahead. Ultimately, the Latics have slightly more quality to narrowly take three points.
Oldham Athletic 1-0 Crewe Alexandra
Port Vale v Northampton Town
For Vale, this could prove to be a tricky home fixture as Northampton will be desperate to rectify their 1-0 to Walsall last weekend. On the other hand, Vale chalked off a point with a 1-1 draw against Colchester United. The Cobblers have had a busy summer and their investment, quality and potential stepped up intensity could prove to be too much for the Valiants.
Port Vale 0-2 Northampton Town
Stevenage v Exeter City
The Grecians’ 1-0 win against Macclesfield Town and Stevenage’s 2-0 loss against Salford leaves these two on opposite ends early on this season. Exeter will be looking to ensure they can compete for a play-off place this season, so a victory at Stevenage will be the perfect way to reach their ambitions.
Stevenage 0-2 Exeter City
Swindon Town v Carlisle United
It will be a long journey for the Cumbrians, as they travel to Swindon with both sides starting their seasons with three points respectively. The Robins looked impressive last weekend and will be hopeful they can improve vastly this season. Carlisle on the other hand could be looking to contend as outsiders for the play-offs. However, the quality of the Robins will show once again.
Swindon Town 2-1 Carlisle
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