League Two Tips: Gillingham to hold out for draw at 5/2

Battling duo to share points at Crewe

Crewe 2.3411/8 v Gillingham 3.929/10; the draw 3.55/2

Here's a statistic for you. During the 1-0 win over Sutton last Saturday, Gillingham had more goals disallowed (three) than they had scored in their preceding 10 games this season (two).

Scott Kashket, Mikael Mandron (both offside) and Ryan Law (foul in the build up) could do with a change of luck. Boss Neil Harris must be cursing the opportunities that got away. Alex MacDonald's late winner gave the manager breathing space. Is it asking a lot for them to take anything away from Gresty Road?

Well, they have two draws on their travels and another two at home, with three in the past six games - the same number as their hosts. The Railwaymen, like their visitors, also have just one win in the past six. Neither have a whole bunch of goals, for or against.

Last weekend Alex Morris's side managed to take a point from Carlisle, who are undefeated at home. Morris admits Crewe are lacking a "spark" - meaning firepower. The match was a "tough watch" he added.

It could have been different had Dan Agyei not lost his balance when about to shoot, late on. Courtney Baker-Richardson, who has scored six this season, added to their injury list by developing a freak hip muscle problem when playing on his Xbox! He has suffered hip injuries before. He could battle back for Saturday.

Keeper Arthur Okonkwo could be busy if Gillingham have the confidence to build on last week's win. However, Opta emphasise they have not won back-to-back since March 2021 and add that Crewe have won just once in seven. Both sides could be happy with a point.

Cobblers to bounce back from rare defeat

Northampton 2.6213/8 v Salford 3.02/1; the draw 3.55/2

Like last season, Northampton are not easy to tip, because their price can be quite short. Their determination to secure a top three spot comfortably this season makes it even harder to pick them up at odds-against. A midweek defeat is forgivable, especially when a team has picked up 26 points from their opening 11 games. The top three have built quite a gap between them and fourth spot.

Jon Brady's men average a fraction under two goals per game, too, and have only lost twice. It will be quite a challenge for Salford to contain Sam Hoskins, who has 11 goals already, and those who can chip in goals around him. Kieron Bowie and defenders Jon Guthrie and Tyler Magloire come to mind.

The Cobblers have netted 13 times at Sixfields, while defeats on the road are what have restricted Neil Wood's visitors from nudging into the top three, from fourth. They still have a healthy strike rate away - nine goals, but with seven conceded. Having also lost to Doncaster (like Northampton) they inflicted a rare home defeat on Sutton a couple of weeks ago.

Having lost Brandon Thomas-Asante to West Brom, a new regular goalscorer needs to emerge quickly if they are to maintain their challenge.

Matthew Lund has netted twice in the past four games while Ryan Watson has three from midfield. However, the hosts should have enough to win. Opta point out that Northampton have not lost consecutive games since January, while Salford - having won twice in a row away - have never won three in a row on their travels in the EFL.

Bantams too long to ignore

Bradford 2.56/4; Stockport 3.185/40; the draw 3.55/2

Oddities in the betting markets are what give punters the chance to profit. Bradford at 2.568/5 at home would make strong appeal against many opponents: they are upbeat at Valley Parade where they have netted nine and conceded just three, in six games.

Adding to their appeal at the odds is the fact their visitors, Stockport, have not yet picked up even a point away. Dave Challinor's side have not adapted to League Two. Fans are starting to question the manager's future. Afterall, it was predicted the Hatters would be vying for back-to-back promotions.

Drawing with Walsall, conceding a late goal after Paddy Madden had put them ahead, was the hardest result to take so far, he said. But they keep drawing at home. Are the layers impressed by their performance? They have scored in all but one league game, as Opta point out. They believe in themselves, the manager says.

Will Collar, who had to play right-back last weekend, has been unlucky not to score this season, says Challinor, while sickness meant that not only was Antoni Sarcevic on the bench but Stockport had every available senior player in the squad last Saturday.

However, I still think they have a large hill to climb in order to beat, or even take a point against, Mark Hughes' men, who are unbeaten in seven, as Opta highlight.

The Bantams have started scoring twice per match (a run of five games), Andy Cook striking nine goals this season already. Crystal Palace loanee Scott Banks also has two from the wing. Defender Romoney Crichlow is keen that Bradford don't take their foot off the gas when leading, which is becoming a trend. Stamp that out and they definitely have the ingredients for victory.

Pools to earn another uplifting point

Hartlepool 3.211/5 v Carlisle 2.56/4; the draw 3.412/5

Boss Keith Curle said after Hartlepool beat Doncaster: "The town needed the win." Encompassing the whole town into a football club's form troubles does sound melodramatic. Not everybody cares. But he is trying to emphasise the new feel-good factor among his side that Wes McDonald alluded to, after scoring Tuesday's winner against Rovers.

Josh Umerah must be relieved that, finally, one of his six goals this season has led to a victory - Hartlepool's first in 20 games according to Opta. Not even Umerah's two at Mansfield last Friday were enough for a win. There does seem to be a new resolve of late to Pools, who had four draws from five either side of former boss Paul Hartley's departure.

They might now have enough belief to take further points - or one at least - against Carlisle. The hosts have only been beaten once at home this season, by Bradford in August. Opta point out they have the fewest wins (1) in League Two, while Carlisle have the fewest unbeaten (1).

Four of Carlisle's six draws have come in the past six matches. They are seven games unbeaten. Kristian Dennis will want to add to his seven goals, but there's a big gap to the next highest scorer, Jon Mellish (two). A total of 13 goals in 11 games - and nine conceded - leaves little margin for error when trying to force a victory. Another draw could well ensue.