Saturday League 1 and League 2 Tips: Back defences to be exposed for a 20/1 treble

League One

Leg 1: Reading v Bradford City Tip: Back the draw @ 5/23.50

Saturday 3rd October, 15:00
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The case can be made for both here. Reading under the tutelage of Leam Richardson have already won three times at home this term and they've got a natural goalscorer in Jack Marriot.

Marriot already has eight in eight and Bradford's reflexes at the back will have to be razor sharp this Saturday, but if it's a sturdy defence, send for Bradford.

Firstly they are top of League One. Secondly, three clean sheets on the spin and three 1-0 victories.

I toyed with Under 2.5 Goals here but Bradford certainly have the minerals for a result here.

KEY OPTA STAT: Reading have won two of their last three home league games against Bradford City (D1), this after being winless in nine prior (D4 L5).

Leg 2: Burton Albion v Huddersfield Tip: Back BTTS 'Yes' @ 8/111.73

Saturday 3rd October, 15:00
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Burton Albion are over-performing at the moment. They've only been defeated twice this season and were good enough for the shock of shocks against Russell Martin's Leicester in August.

With three home draws, I was unsure about the home win, and likewise Huddersfield who look a wretched price.

I am more in favour of the BTTS bet. Burton's home matches have seen backers of that bet cop all four times and Huddersfield will not want to be too passive in a game where they are expected to take something out of.

Huddersfield have lost just two of their 14 league games since the beginning of April (W5 D7), no ever-present League One side has lost fewer matches over that period (Burton Albion also 2), and they are priced accordingly.

KEY OPTA STAT: Burton Albion are unbeaten in five league meetings with Huddersfield Town (W3 D2) since losing their first 0-1 in the Championship in December 2016.

Leg 3: Leyton Orient v Plymouth Argyle Tip: Back BTTS First Half Yes @ 14/53.80

Saturday 3rd October, 15:00
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Orient mystify me. They have some very good technical players, a good coach in Richie Wellens (others may disagree) and an ethos to play the ball.

Yet I watched their game at home to Wycombe and their defence resembled a blancmange and were there for taking on numerous occasions.

They'd started so well too in that but they look too error prone.

A 0-1 win at Stevenage was just what Wellens need, but I am not in a rush to back another defensive clean sheet.

Argyle were column naughty boys last week for scuppering the treble and failed to score for just the second time this season.

If you're for goals, the price on the BTTS in the first-half is a massive 14/53.80, which in turn gives us a good go at the treble.

KEY OPTA STAT: Plymouth Argyle have lost just one of their last 10 away league games (W6 D3), with the Pilgrims collecting the most away points in 2026 (31 points in 16 matches).

League Two

Leg 1: Accrington Stanley v Cheltenham Town Tip: Back Cheltenham to win @ 9/52.80

Saturday 3rd October, 15:00
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Cheltenham Town's 15 points after eight League Two games this season (W4 D3 L1) is their second best ever in the Football League at this stage of a campaign, behind only the 16 they earned after eight games in 2020-21.

They've also got the leading marksman in Charlie McCann with seven in nine and the Robins look a very big price this weekend.

The 9/52.80 suggests the layers do not believe in their start. Of course they are away, but Accrington wouldn't be a "banker" in any weekend coupon.

Stanley have played four at home and have drawn three, but they have won just two of their last 23 league matches (D8 L13).

Since the date of the first game in that run on February 21, they have won as many points (14) as York City have, with the Minstermen only joining League Two for the 2026-27 season.

KEY OPTA STAT: After their 3-1 win in January, Accrington Stanley could win back-to-back meetings with Cheltenham Town for the first time in the EFL.

Leg 2: Grimsby Town v Shrewsbury Tip: Back Grimsby to win @ 7/101.70

Saturday 3rd October, 15:00
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The catchy price of 7/101.70 is what we are going to take and the hosts have only lost one of their last 12 League Two matches against Shrewsbury Town (W4 D7), a 1-2 defeat in September 2007.

History is on their side, and with a defence that has conceded twice in four games at home, it's hard to see Shrewsbury troubling anyone in this game as they've scored just once on the road all season.

Tom Sang has created 27 chances in League Two this season for the Shrews, more than any other player, with 16 of those coming via set plays - also the most in the division in 2026-27, and set-plays looks their best hope.

KEY OPTA STAT: Grimsby Town have lost just one of their last 17 home league games (W11 D5), with that defeat coming against Harrogate Town in April, who are now in the National League. Since Boxing Day 2025, only Bristol Rovers (39) have more home League Two points than the Mariners (38).

Leg 3: Salford v Fleetwood Tip: Back Salford to win @ 4/61.67

Saturday 3rd October, 15:00
Click here for more Salford v Fleetwood Match Odds

I got Salford horribly wrong in last week's column as they thumped Oldham 1-4 and it's now four wins from five for moneybags.

It's now time to rethink the early season strategy of opposing them, and while Oldham made mistakes last weekend and were too easy to play against, the Ammies were positive and played on the front foot.

You've got a goal too with the hosts, who tend to play a lot with possession, and while short, they face Fleetwood who have lost their last two league matches, only one fewer than they suffered in their previous 23 games combined (W7 D13 L3).

They last suffered three defeats in a row in January earlier this year.

KEY OPTA STAT: Salford City have won four of their last five league games (D1) and since the start of March only Bristol Rovers (46) have won more League Two points than they have (39).

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