League Two Midweek Tips: Back Rochdale to hold leaders

Bentley's side to fight for a point

Rochdale 3.711/4 v Leyton Orient 2.35/4; the draw 3.613/5

It's Tuesday the 13th rather than Friday 13th, but what could possibly go wrong for unbeaten League Two leaders Leyton Orient away at rock bottom, winless Rochdale? I love a freak midweek result or a set of them (sometimes the "card" can result in six or even seven draws).

Hard as it is to see Jim Bentley's improving hosts actually beating Orient, the draw has to be considered.

Rochdale showed real intent when taking the lead twice at Carlisle in their last match, but were pegged back to be point at 3-3. Bentley's capture of Scott Quigley from Stockport on deadline day could prove to be a real turning point in their season.

The 30-year-old striker netted 35 times in 73 games for Barrow either side of their promotion to the EFL. He has shown how he could rekindle that form with two goals in his first appearance.

Learning to close games out, Bentley says, is now key. Richie Wellens' all-conquering side are unlikely to sit back and let Dale attack. Rather, they will be on the front foot, having scored in every game so far - and recorded four clean sheets. Charlie Kelman and Paul Smyth have made fine starts to the season with three apiece, with full-back Tom James chipping in twice, too.

There's something about midweek matches that invokes an atmosphere of surprise. Opta say Wellens has won three of his last four games against Dale (with different clubs) but drawn the other (nil-nil). I'm not expecting many goals, but improving Rochdale could just share the spoils.

Hatters could hold Reds to a draw

Crawley 4.216/5 v Stockport 2.111/10; the draw 3.613/5

A team with no points at home faces one with no points away. Something has to give, in the first EFL meeting between the two (Opta). Crawley showed huge improvement with a draw at Salford City, coming from behind twice, but Kevin Betsy is still seeking his first win as Reds boss.

Does this offer a perfect opportunity to win? The odds suggest that a strong-looking home attacking lineup still has much work to do to gain three points and Opta add that Crawley have lost their last five midweek games.

Tom Nichols (1) has the only goal from the forward line which includes Ashley Nadesan and Kwesi Appiah, who between them all notched 30 goals last season. This campaign, Appiah has featured mostly on the bench, while James Balagizi, 18, on loan from Liverpool, has notched a couple from his attacking midfield position to become top scorer.

The hosts have only scored in one of three home games, all against sides with promotion ambitions. The odds, too, make Stockport favourites.

The Hatters were the pre-season League Two title market leaders at 9.08/1. Now they are 25.024/1 upwards, partly because all their away games have finished in 2-1 defeats, but also because they lost at home to start. Now, at least, they have seven points from a possible 12 at Edgeley Park.

On a positive note, though, they have scored in every match - which Crawley have not. County's Antoni Sarcevic, from midfield, has scored three while forward Paddy Madden, proficient enough over the years, will be itching to add to his first-day goal, once he returns from suspension. Fraser Horsfall can also be very effective.

Do they have enough to win? Crawley really must gain something to kick-start their season - and even save Betsy's fledgling management career.

The visitors seem likely to score. However, the hosts are not showing enough signs to condemn the visitors to yet another 2-1 away defeat. So this could well end level.

Salford showing the right Brand to win

Harrogate 3.412/5 v Salford City 2.47/5; the draw 3.55/2

Salford, evidently ambitious and among the title favourites for all three seasons they have been in the EFL, could just be showing signs they have what it takes to be promoted. By whichever method it might take. Fourth place after seven games is a great start. Scoring in all but one of them - and drawing for a point in the other - is an improvement on previous years.

Brandon Thomas-Asante has hit the season running with four goals, as the Ammies stamped their authority over Mansfield and Crewe. However, he only has one away, in defeat at Doncaster.

The visitors need a repeat of their performance at Newport, where midfielder Luke Bolton and defender Ryan Leak made the scoresheet. Callum Hendry's goals have been six games apart, while Ryan Watson, who has scored in consecutive games, might well have used up his season's allocation! We shall see. The point is, goals seem to be coming from several quarters - a good sign.

Simon Weaver's re-worked Harrogate squad made a fine start to the season, beating Swindon 3-0. But they have only scored in two other games (winning one). Newport struck four past them at the EnvironVent Stadium at the end of August.

From a team ethos perspective, midfielders Alex Pattison, who struck nine goals last season, and Matthew Daly, on loan from Huddersfield, must be frustrated to be top scorers (two each). But they must be loving the banter with their strikers such as Jack Muldoon and Luke Armstrong (a goal each). Salford seem in a better place. They must take advantage to continue their progress.

Salford, say Opta, are unbeaten in their last five midweek league games (the only one this season being a win at Newport). Three wins and two draws gives them a platform for another three points.

Ambitious Evans looking up with good reason

Stevenage 2.111/10 v Newport 4.216/5; the draw 3.55/2

Stevenage boss Steve Evans has set out the target of reaching the Championship in a couple of years. After 30 years in management he has made it clear he doesn't join teams to struggle but to be at the top end of a table.

He and assistant Paul Raynor have proven themselves promotion winners at this level with Crawley and Rotherham, even if the Mansfield project wasn't completed. The fire still burns brightly and his players have reacted well this season, lying second. Many teams could struggle to contain Jamie Reid and the experienced Luke Norris. Only once (Salford away) have Boro failed to score in their five wins, one draw and one defeat and their matches have featured 16 goals in total.

Add in that Newport's EFL games have produced 19 goals and a conclusion of over 2.5 goals, priced 2.35/4, seems easy. Stevenage's price is still backable at 2.111/10 (I draw the line at evens) but the goals angle can be used for a Bet Builder.

The hosts have only one clean sheet this season, winning four games 2-1, but they have not scored three in any game. James Rowberry's side will turn up in attacking mood, having won 4-0 at Harrogate - even if they did lose their last game 2-0 at home to Grimsby.

Manager Rowberry is happy with his "versatile" squad. He will need to be with striker Offrande Zanzala out for 10 weeks injured. Omar Bogle has five of the nine goals scored, so more variety of scorers is certainly required. The visitors have drawn three blanks this season, but one strike here should realise the goals part of the wager.

Opta say Stevenage have not won in five league games against Newport. I think their improvement this season and current form will see the tables turned.