League Two Tips: Sutton to feel joy of homecoming

Oldham's malaise is to Gray's gain

Sutton United 2.111/10 v Oldham Athletic 4.47/2; the draw 3.412/5

You know things must be bad when supporters are demanding urgent talks with club owners after a handful of games. Oldham fans say they fear that the club is heading towards relegation and administration. After a defeat to Colchester last weekend, boss Keith Curle said he knew the team was in a fight at the wrong end of the table but wouldn't walk away.

The Latics were among the biggest scorers as well as conceeders in League Two last season. They have lost their opening four league games but progressed in two League Cup ties on penalties, beating Tranmere and Accrington.

Dylan Bahamboula has been the only Oldham player to score this term, netting twice in the league and once in the cup, with the other an own goal. Conor McAleny, now at Salford, seems much missed.

Curle has called on his troops to stick together in these tough times. He must be feeling disillusioned, with protests in the background. But managers can never give that away. Hallam Hope needs to find the net to settle in and the other 10 summer signings need to find confidence, too. Are the Latics not gelling? Opta point out they have used 23 players already this season, more than any other team in the division.

Sutton, meanwhile, will be pleased with their first EFL season so far - and very excited to be at Gander Green Lane for the first time in the Football League after a 123-year wait. Matt Gray says having grass rather than the artificial surface of last season won't make much difference to his players.

Last Saturday's opponents, Scunthorpe, were fortunate to take a draw it seems. A strike by Donovan Wilson, who hit seven in 16 games in the second half of last season, was enough to secure a point. However, Gray will want to make the most of this homecoming and hope that Omar Bugiel or Harry Beautyman, often such a potent force going forward, can make the most of a new-look, spruced up stadium and whip up a win.

Stevenage can pile woe on Walsall

Walsall 3.02/1 v Stevenage 2.6413/8; the draw 3.211/5

Head coach Matthew Taylor must be another one scratching his head wondering what he has got himself into, after Walsall's miserable start to the season. Just one goal scored - for the point at home to Scunthorpe - is all the Saddlers have to show from four games.

Experienced defender Stephen Ward says "things have to change" but adds he can't put his finger on why matters are not going for the team. There is no lack of dedication and determination in training, he says. But last Saturday, he admitted, Hartlepool just seemed to want it more and Walsall put in the most disappointing performance so far. Maybe Pools just have winning momentum from promotion, rather than Walsall's rather limp finish to last season.

An influx in the summer hasn't spelt improvement - yet. Newcomers Kieran Phillips, 21, a centre forward from Huddersfield, and Brendan Kiernon, 28, have both scored, however.

Can they hold Stevenage is the question? The visitors began the campaign full of confidence having climbed to healthy mid-table safety last season. Standards have been set, such that boss Alex Revell was disappointed Stevenage didn't finish the job against Port Vale, only taking a draw.

Dominant in the first half, Luke Norris's great free-kick was an equaliser after 33 minutes when the hosts should have put more chances away - as they should in the second half, said the manager. After two wins without conceding to start the season, the manager will be hoping his side can revert to that standard and keep another clean sheet in an away victory. Opta point out they have kept nine clean sheets in their past 11 away games (four draws).

Lively Green hard to contain

Forest Green 2.26/5 v Port Vale 3.613/5; the draw 3.613/5

With Rob Edwards' Rovers in such fine form at the top of League Two, it is bewildering to find that Forest Green are not odds-on to beat Port Vale. In contrast to their four league wins and netting first at Premier League Brentford in the League Cup this week, the Valiants have accumulated three draws and a defeat.

Forest Green were in dreamland when Jack Aitchison scored early against the Bees. Even more so than when they got into nosebleed territory by stretching their lead at the top of League Two by defeating Crawley 6-3.

I would usually be cautious after a team scores four or more, but often that is to nil. Crawley at least were 2-2 at half time then got blown away by Nick Cadden completing a hat-trick.

With Matt Stevens becoming prolific (scoring in each of the club's league games and five times in total) and Jamille Matt chipping in too, the hosts are turning into a real force.

Even without Ebou Adams, sent off in midweek, having made six changes for the League Cup they should still have enough ability and freshness to pick a way past Darrell Clarke's men, who are at least proving stubborn opposition. They have conceded just twice this season, once each in two of their four games. The trouble is at the other end where Devante Rodney's strike at Stevenage is all they have to show in the league.

Clarke was not impressed with the bad aspects of the draw with Stevenage, labelling those elements "atrocious". Captain Tom Conlon is still injured, while the manager said it wasn't just the summer signings falling to adjust so far, it was some of the old guard not getting up to their standards yet. Ben Garrity's introduction in midfield at half-time against Boro seemed to make all the difference. The hosts are in confident mood and will want to make the most of their lead.

Opta point out that Forest Green have won their last six league games, while their visitors are winless in six. What's not to like about the home victory?

Expect entertainment at Brisbane Road

Leyton Orient 3.02/1 v Bradford 2.77/4; the draw 3.412/5

I was toying with the draw in this game, but there might be just as much value in pursuing over 2.5 goals at about 2.47/5.

It doesn't seem unreasonable to assume that if Kenny Jackett's hosts can draw away 1-1 twice and post three unanswered goals at home against Exeter, that they can be assisted in a high-scoring game by Bradford.

The Bantams have bashed in nine goals in their past three games, and conceded four, since their opening goalless draw at Exeter.

Yet there is much agitation to sign another striker before the transfer window shuts. Lee Angol is injured and his hamstring might require surgery, leaving Caolan Lavery and Andy Cook as the only options up front. Cook is doing just fine for now, with three goals in two games.

Defender and captain Niall Canavan says Adams is now seeing what he's all about. However, conceding twice in the last game must be a bit of a worry. More pleasing, perhaps, is that they had to come from behind to win that game, at Mansfield.

That means that the second placed visitors are perfectly capable of scoring at Brisbane Road where Orient lost 2-0 to Harrogate in midweek. Jackett is keen for them to bounce back even if Aaron Drinan, who scored against Exeter, Paul Smyth and Adam Thompson are all injured. The latter two won't be back "any time soon". The boss will only hope that Omar Beckles can add to this season's two goals. One way or another, there should be goals in this game.