League Two Tips: Robins to feed on Rochdale's woes

Swindon must make opportunity count

Swindon 2.0421/20 v Rochdale 4.131/10; the draw 3.6553/20

The Robins have a chance to kick start their season against a team who have only scored one goal. Scott Lindsey's men have themselves only netted twice, with Harry McKirdy finding the net to draw with Leyton Orient after Jacob Wakeling managed a goal at Carlisle.

Lindsey says his side is a "work in progress" which is disappointing considering they have just three points, from as many straight draws, after reaching the play-offs last season. One wonders if they would have won at least twice had Ben Garner not left for Charlton.

Fans are already asking questions about whether Remeao Hutton, in from Barrow this summer, can be trusted to defend, from full-back, rather than spend time with the forwards. Midfield and defensive mistakes have irked fans. Against the bottom club, the hosts have the chance to prove their worth.

Robbie Stockdale has some inspiring to do if he is to lift his troops to gain anything here. It might be that signing midfielder Connor Malley, who impressed on trial in pre-season, brings some improvement.

Davante Rodney struck their only goal so far in the first match, defeat at Crewe. They have yet to pick up a point from four games. Opta point out the last team to start a season with five defeats were Barnet in 2008-09.

Orient should be too strong for hosts

Colchester 3.613/5 v Leyton Orient 2.35/4; the draw 3.55/2

Colchester have enjoyed a decent start to the season, continuing a decent finish to last term when they lifted themselves from the relegation area in the final few weeks. I still think Wayne Brown's team will not be troubling the promotion scorers and therefore that flying Leyton Orient can defeat them.

The U's have shown solidity by beating Bradford at home for their first League Two win of the season.

It seems an age since Tom Eastman was on loan in this division at Crawley from Ipswich - whom they beat in the League Cup. The defender was probably too frightened to venture outside his own half under Steve Evans. But on Tuesday his goal deep into injury time took the points.

A tentative draw with Carlisle on the second Saturday no doubt settled nerves after an opening day 3-2 defeat at Northampton, with Noah Chilvers netting twice already this season. Opta say he has been involved in three of the team's four goals this season, adding an assist for Eastman's goal.

Orient will be in a similar vein as the Cobblers: eager to make amends for failures in past seasons. Richie Wellens' men did not concede a goal for three games, defeating Grimsby, Crawley and Mansfield, before drawing at Swindon.

The Board didn't order bottom half finishes. Nor do they expect Tom James, a defender, to continue to be top scorer for much longer. Paul Smyth, who scored on Tuesday, plus Harry Smith and Ruel Sotiriou will be keen to make up the difference. Their team's price is right to take advantage. Opta point out they have lost just four of their past 19 games - winning 10.

Honours even in Grimsby

Grimsby Town 2.35/4 v Sutton 3.412/5; the draw 3.613/5

Matt Gray felt Sutton were "faultless" in the second half at Crewe on Tuesday, when they lost 1-0. Last season, they took two points from their first four games before going on to a fine finish of eighth in their first Football League season. This year, they have a win and three defeats from their opening four.

Much is likely to depend on their home form being as robust as last time. They did win eight and draw five on the road though, so a first ever trip to Grimsby will hold no fears. The manager has been impressed with the away performances even if the results have not followed. He feels they have an attacking threat from various quarters of the field.

Omar Bugiel and Donovan Wilson have already scored, but Gray definitely means Enzio Boldewijn and midfielder Harry Beautyman.

Paul Hurst, like with Sutton last year, perhaps just has to be patient with the Mariners on their return to the EFL after winning the National League playoffs. Bryn Morris, Gavin Holohan and Kieran Green, in midfield, have been gaining great reviews and the defence is settled. Luke Waterfall has already celebrated a new two-year deal awarded him in the summer with a couple of goals in all competitions.

After Tuesday's abandoned game, this match could be one where Grimsby continue to settle into the season and size up the division. And the same goes for the visitors. Back the draw.

Bradford must make their Mark

Hartlepool 3.711/4 v Bradford 2.26/5; the draw 3.613/5

Left-back David Ferguson just believes Hartlepool need to be more "ruthless" as they seek their first win. Didn't Sutton's Matt Gray say the same thing, just with different words? Ferguson would love to pit his wits against Timi Odusina, who left for Bradford in the summer but has not yet featured for his new club.

Paul Hartley's hosts are unbeaten at home - two goalless draws - but pointless away. Josh Umerah, bought from Wealdstone in the summer, is their only scorer of the season. Signing Bradford midfielder Callum Cooke though could be a fine move.

Bradford suffered a surprise defeat at Colchester on Tuesday having started the season in earnest against Newport on Saturday with Richard Smallwood, recruited from Hull, and Harrison Chapman, in from Burton, both scoring from midfield.

Tuesday could be just a blip, especially if Andy Cook can maintain his scoring rate of 0.37 goals per game across his career.

While Mark Hughes wasn't in charge, Bradford - say Opta - have won their last two visits to Hartlepool 2-0. The visitors have not lost their first three away games since they were in the Premier League in 2000-01.