League Two Tips: Back Tranmere to silence Robins

Kaiyne can boost Tranmere after Woolery start

Tranmere 2.77/4 v Cheltenham 2.915/8; the draw 3.412/5

Gaining control of the game was Mike Jackson's main concern, reflecting on Tranmere's opening day goalless draw at Mansfield. We're all finding our way back into this season after a long hiatus.

Rovers were left smarting by relegation on a points-per-game basis. The summer reaped the recruitment of James Vaughan, permanently instead of on loan from Bradford, who seemed to shed high scoring strikers last season. The creative Otis Khan was another interesting addition, although after the opener some fans clearly yearned for winger Corey Blackett-Taylor's return from injury.

After last Saturday's draw, Jones said the least he would want from an away game is a point. An expectation of at least a point shows he has lofty ambitions.

Tranmere have been tipped to finish at the top end. Cheltenham made the play-offs last year but made a stuttering start at home to Morecambe last Saturday.

Michael Duff was concerned that the Robins' back three "didn't look like they had played together before" against the Shrimps. He was much more impressed by the performance in the 3-1 League Cup defeat at Millwall. And so was former Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe, he reported! Matt Blair, highly rated, gained an hour's play.

The odds suggest another tight game, however I think it is one the hosts can shade. Kaiyne Woolery was certainly capable of causing opponents problems when playing for a packed frontline at Swindon. Now he has signed for Tranmere he might get a better chance to shine in his own right.

Tranmere won both games in the season they last faced each other, say Opta (2018-19) and, including the back end of last season, are on a run of four unbeaten.

Cooper confident his Green team will come up roses

Forest Green 2.3411/8 v Bradford 3.55/2; the draw 3.412/5

Several EFL clubs' futures could be in danger if fans are not able to return by the October 1 start date, said a report this week, one in which Southend survived a winding up order but Macclesfield, relegated after points deductions, did not. About 1,000 fans - season ticket holders - will be allowed into the New Lawn this weekend, as one of three League Two pilot fixtures.

If manager Mark Cooper is correct, they will see a confident side, benefiting from the "positive reinforcement" of an opening day victory, after what he felt was a strong pre-season. Victory came after two cup exits in the week before.

Rovers are an upwardly mobile club, looking to build a controversial fully-wood new stadium, being trail blazers as the world's greenest football club and thereby attracting investment from Arsenal's Hector Bellerin. Gradual progress, rather than an all-or-nothing approach to gaining promotion by throwing money at it unsustainably, is their way.

The previous week, against Leyton Orient, Cooper insists they played well and won "every statistic" apart from shots on target - the one that really counts.

They won that statistic at Bolton, midfielder Carl Winchester proving his worth - his manager thinks he could play in the Championship - with a 30-yard strike. The forwards need to start scoring. Jamille Matt has enough experience.

Keeper Luke McGhee, brought in from Portsmouth, earned his money as Rovers saw the game out at Bolton and he should be busy against Bradford - although the Bantams are low on confidence.

Manager Stuart McCall urged the fans to "relax" as he found the best combination up front, insisting that Luke Guthrie, Clayton Donaldson and Lee Novak (who fluffed a great chance against Colchester last Saturday) were fantastic in training. But that was before the team's defence was utterly destroyed by League One Lincoln in the League Cup. He will demand a better performance, but nerves could hand the initiative to their hosts.

Crawley can make a fist of stopping Iron

Crawley Town 2.546/4 v Scunthorpe United 3.185/40; the draw 3.55/2

Scunthorpe were good at giving opponents a bloody nose last season, but then fell away just as I expected them to kick on. Crawley, meanwhile, seemed very capable of picking teams apart at the Broadfield Stadium last year, including defeating Scunthorpe 3-1 in February, on a run of nine unbeaten at home (six wins, three draws). Opta tell us that was the Iron's only defeat to the Reds in the pair's last five league meetings and add the visitors haven't won away in a while, losing four and drawing two of their last six on their travels.

For the hosts, losing frontman Ollie Palmer and creative spark Bez Lubala this summer means they have to rebuild.

Tom Nichols, once of Exeter, should offer plenty up front although the younger legs of Hemel Hempstead recruit Sam Ashford seem to be ahead of him. Ashley Nadeson now needs to score more regularly. He'd really started to find the net just as last season petered out.

Jake Hessenthaler is an interesting recruit, having tried his luck in the league at Grimsby. At the back Tony Craig, 35, recruited from Bristol Rovers, offers plenty of experience.

John Yems wasn't happy with the "diabolical" first half at Port Vale in a 2-0 defeat, but that probably shows more about where the Valiants are in their development than Crawley.

For the visitors, Ryan Loft, 22, in from Leicester, scored as they held Newport to a draw on the opening day. Neil Cox was delighted they fought back for a point, but feels they need to be fitter.

Both teams, therefore, have improvements to find. The Sussex club are apparently on the list of possibly offering a pilot with fans by the end of September. For now, their fans will have to tune in remotely, but should win on home confidence.

Grecians must dampen Valiant upsurge

Exeter 2.3411/8 v Port Vale 3.55/2; the draw 3.55/2

There are several candidates among this weekend's fixtures for draws. Perhaps this is the best - unfortunately for Exeter.
The Grecians really should have been promoted by now, having featured in the play-off final three times in four years. Matt Taylor has been able to bring in just three players after eight senior ones left. Otherwise, he has to rely on promoting more academy graduates who, having reached the first team and gone on to make names for themselves, are much the talk of football.

He has already warned fans against expecting too much this season. Budgets are tight. Lewis Page came in from Charlton after youngster Ben Chrisene's exit to Aston Villa. The other two incoming players were Jake Caprice and the experienced Rory McArdle.

Nicky Law, Caprice and Alex Hartridge will likely be unfit for Saturday, but Tom Parkes and Pierce Sweeney could be fit. Joel Randall's performance last weekend seemed to please many.

They should have credit for being at home and they won't appreciate being tipped for a draw after achieving one last week. However, the Valiants are in fine fettle. Mark Cullen, hugely experienced for Luton and Blackpool in this division and a regular scorer for them, will have been delighted to start the season with two goals. Tom Conlon, whose shot set him up for one, and David Worrall offer plenty of experience. Harry McKirdy's recruitment from Carlisle leaves a hole the Cumbrians might struggle to fill. They can force at least a draw here.