League Two Tips: Exeter and Orient to share the spoils

Grecians might have to settle for draw

Leyton Orient 2.56/4 v Exeter 3.211/5; the draw 3.613/5

Exeter boss Matt Taylor was happy with his side's heart, commitment and fitness in his side's opening draw with Bradford, which might turn out to be a good point between two teams with promotion credentials.

Taylor felt the Grecians were "five first team players down" after selling hot property Joel Randell to Peterborough for £1m a week before, plus being without four players because of injury and illness.

But he knows how to recruit players good enough to challenge for the top seven and his board have given him several years to keep evolving the team. Padraig Amond, signed on a season-long loan from Newport, is a fine example.

At 33 he might not play every game, just like last season, but he has quality and experience. Another new boy, midfielder Tim Dieng, had his chances and will be keen to show what he can do in a team near the top end of the division, after suffering Southend's struggles last season. Jack Sparkes and Sam Nombe - the latter now absent with Covid - also had scoring opportunities against Bradford on the opening day.

While he looks to recruit, Taylor might appreciate another draw at Brisbane Road, who have hired experienced manager Kenny Jackett to help them push up the division. Omar Beckles, recruited from Crewe, scored on his debut to help earn a point at Salford.

Jackett felt some of his younger players lacked the nous of more experienced opponents. New captain Darren Pratley says he wants to use his experience across England's divisions to guide them. Both sides are looking for improvements, but this game could well result in another draw as they get to grips with the season, especially as visiting boss Taylor has to worry about Covid within the camp.

Opta say the visitors have five draws from their past seven league games, while Orient have gone five without a win (drawing one - at Salford last week).

Swindon on song quickly

Swindon 2.915/8 v Carlisle 2.89/5; the draw 3.39/4

Could Swindon be more cooked than commentators - including me - expected them to be at this stage? A comeback win at Scunthorpe last Saturday certainly shows their heads won't drop if they go behind. They put up a good fight in the League Cup at Cambridge on Tuesday, too.

Opta say they are now looking to win three straight league games for the first time since March 2020. They also hosted Carlisle in the second game of 2019-20 - winning 3-2.

Ben Gladwin showed his class as he returned to the fold for the fourth time in his career. According to director of football Ben Chorley, the newest arrival, Ricky Aguiar, has huge experience of men's football for a 20-year-old. The ex-Worthing midfielder scored 15 times in 95 games before jumping two divisions. Plenty have prospered coming from non-league.

Another summer arrival, Harry McKirdy, will be a handful for defenders. It's just a case of getting consistency out of him. Here, the wide attacker has an early chance to score against his old side.

A goalless draw with Colchester means we're still sizing up what Carlisle have to offer this season. Chris Beech's men climbed League Two and held a promotion place at one point, before Covid call-offs killed their momentum. Tristan Abrahams, 22, would surely love a place to call home, after being loaned out several times in his short career. He needs to start firing, but the Robins have their tails up already under Ben Garner and can be backed for three points.

Stevenage finding the right gear

Bristol Rovers 2.3411/8 v Stevenage 3.412/5; the draw 3.55/2

Alex Revell might have felt his Stevenage side hadn't gone through all the gears when they beat Barrow 1-0 last Saturday, but he will certainly be more impressed after their League Cup win over Luton.

Coming on penalties, they had led twice through Elliott List and Ben Coker, while Joseph Anang, on loan from West Ham, saved the spot kicks.

Will List have impressed enough to keep his place, having replaced Luke Norris? Boro already look a tougher, more organised unit than this time last year when fans were already wondering how long Revell would last.

Midfielder Elliot Osborne has already set the stall out to match Morecambe's promotion last season. Both the Shrimps and Cambridge were among the "unfashionable" sides who had great seasons.

Promotion is a tall ask. But with experienced recruits such as Jake Reeves and Jake Taylor, plus Jamie Reid, it surely isn't impossible to think they can push on from a solid mid-table finish.

Hosts Bristol Rovers lost 2-0 at home to Cheltenham in the League Cup, with Joey Barton ruing a lack of creativity and supply to Luke Thomas as injuries meant many changes. He is also talking about promotion and urging fans to see the big picture.

Teenagers pulled from training games the same day to play, when striker Brett Pitman is out for a few weeks tells you everything you need to know about their present condition. A call for patience allows the visitors the chance to gain another three points. They have an incentive: Opta point out they have never started an EFL season with consecutive wins.

Worrall questions don't worry Clarke

Port Vale 2.56/4 v Tranmere 3.39/4; the draw 3.412/5

After a narrow defeat at relegated Northampton last weekend, Darrell Clarke will be keen for Port Vale to put their foot down at home.

The Valiants have to hold the ball better in their opponents' half, he said, to get the best out of David Worrall, answering questions as to whether the wide man was wasted at wing-back. The manager has played three at the back since taking over as manager in February, with Worrall's ability to produce assists seemingly reduced.

Several new signings have had to bed in, including striker Jamie Proctor, from Rotherham, who netted in the League Cup defeat to Sunderland. The hosts won eight from nine games once Clarke had settled in last season. Now it's time to show that form again and push for promotion.

Micky Mellon reckons he has signed one of the best young keepers in Scotland, Ross Doohan, on loan from Celtic. He gave him his chance against Oldham in the League Cup on Tuesday, which Tranmere lost 4-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw.

He will be happy enough that Callum McMananaman, Sam Foley and Elliiot Nevitt have netted already this season. But his side might be found wanting here.