League Two Tips: Bantams need to sink Bluebirds

Visitors have the Angol for victory

Barrow 2.77/4 v Bradford 3.185/40; the draw 3.39/4

Covid is making it very difficult to predict which matches might actually be on. And if they are, how might the disease have affected the players? It hits everyone differently, super fit athletes or not - and not just at the time. It can take time to require, particularly your energy levels.

Bradford are one of several clubs who have not played since December 11. Manager Derek Adams had said before Christmas it was "inevitable" at least two games would be off over Christmas, because they had only six fit players. He seemed hopeful on Thursday that the trip to Barrow would prove a relief and a chance to get back to action.

Lee Angol believes the Bantams will benefit from the break. The striker had his own extended break from August to early November. Four goals from eight games this season - and another in the FA Cup - put him well above his career average of a goal every four games.

Andy Cook (seven league goals from 15 games) is also firing on plenty of cylinders.

It's fair to say Adams is still sticking to the idea of a long-term plan, given Bradford's predicament in the bottom half. Just two wins and four draws away are not helping matters. But could they - from a form guide that gives them six draws from a winless seven games- force victory at a club that hasn't scored in six of their past seven games?

Barrow netted twice to beat Swindon, on December 11, Ollie Banks and Josh Gordon supplying the goods. At least Bradford score once per game. The Bluebirds were dominated by Oldham for long periods in their goalless draw on Wednesday. Will Robbie Gotts - as much as Jordan Stevens - save his goals for the FA Cup at Barnsley next weekend? Ozzy Zanzala offered something when coming on against Oldham.

Will such an injection be enough to hold Bradford, who will surely look at this as a chance for a long overdue win? After all, as Opta say, Bradford haven't lost their first fixture of the calendar year in the past five, winning four.

Iron can gain further strength

Scunthorpe 3.185/40 v Carlisle 2.767/4; the draw 3.412/5

While the Cumbrians seem to have lost against high ranking rides and earned points against the lowly in their past six matches, Scunthorpe don't discriminate: they draw with everyone. OK, so like all gags it has only an element of truth - but a strong element.

Defeat to Mansfield was their only non-draw in six before Keith Hill's search for a first win ended on Boxing Day. Scunthorpe overcame Oldham to forge a little gap to the bottom club. Hopefully, for them, fate will allow them to host Carlisle, because the Iron have found some resilience. They seem a big price to improve as Myles Hippolyte has three goals in six games and Ryan Loft three in seven.

The victory over Carlisle featured a bit of a turn up as they scored more than once. Carlisle have not scored in three of their past six matches, or nine out of 13. Jordan Gibson has netted two of only six goals in that longer period, one a penalty, (plus another in the FA Cup).

This time last year, Carlisle were top under Chris Beech. They went into freefall after an extended Covid break and now face picking up the pieces again, having not played since December 11.

Jon Mellish could do with stepping up the goals from midfield for Keith Millen, who no doubt can't wait for the January transfer window. The hosts have every chance.

Opta tell us that Scunthorpe have won each of their last four Football League games on New Year's Day, all to nil.

Telford helping Exiles forge ahead

Walsall 2.915/8 v Newport 3.02/1; the draw 3.211/5

James Rowberry must be desperate to get back to action after an enforced 10-day break from matches, with Newport on the up. Defeat at Rochdale would have hurt for a side now cemented it seems into the top seven. Automatic promotion, often flirted with, seems in their grasp.

But for that to happen striker Dom Telford must continue that scoring streak of late. League Two's top scorer with 14, had 12 goals in the eight games beforehand. The team netted 22 goals in the 10 games before that defeat. It was only the second time this season they had failed to score away. Courtney Baker-Richardson (six goals this season) has been a great foil for the Exiles' premier marksman.

Walsall's manager Matt Taylor is looking for consistency in the second half of the season. Recent form for their past six games is LDWLDW, the last in that series the 3-0 win over lowly Colchester. Can they live with the best? They beat Mansfield but that was some time ago, when the Stags couldn't buy a point.

On-loan keeper Carl Rushworth has had to impress. Brendan Kiernan has provided plenty of assists - and some goals - while midfielder Jack Earing has also been hugely prominent in the games in which they have earned points. Mid-table is likely their destination while the visitors want to push on.

Walsall have failed to win in five against Newport, say Opta, who add that Walsall have lost 10 of their past 13 games in their first match of a calendar year.

Oldham need to live up to manager's expectations

Hartlepool 2.1411/10 v Oldham 2.89/5; the draw 3.613/5

Just how bad are Oldham, who have sunk to the bottom rung? Selim Benachour has told the Latics not to dwell on the league table. He has compared their plight to Bolton's, who were 20th this time last season but went into League One.

Are they really that good? They showed resilience to come back from 4-1 down to pinch a point against leaders Forest Green. They then lost at Scunthorpe to fall to the foot of the division. If Davis Keillor-Dunn can finish those chances like the ones he missed at Barrow, Oldham might climb. To avoid relegation. If he is given enough help by Dylan Bahamboula or Hallam Hope, they might gain a point here.

Hartlepool have a strong home record, with seven wins and only two defeats. In their last match, at Mansfield, they conceded a 2-0 lead after Luke Molynuex and Nicky Featherstone game them that big lead.

Opta say something that could give the Latics a big incentive: Oldham have lost four of their last six league games on New Year's Day (W1 D1), with that run starting with a 4-2 loss at Hartlepool in 2011. That's enough to get them to battle to a draw.