The top end of League Two is expected to be highly competitive this season but the bottom end might be even more congested with a number of sides looking like they could have to keep an eye on the trap door this year.
With just two sides going down from League Two – a travesty in itself but don’t get me started on that one before a ball has been kicked! – there is some good value around. Indeed it is 4/1 the field in the relegation market and I think the favourites could be worth taking on.
Accrington are the favourites to go down but they’ve been favourites forever and a day and they are still living to tell the tale. I don’t expect them to go as well as they did last season but I think they’ve got a bit in hand yet and I always feel they are the kind of club that loves to be written off.
Dagenham & Redbridge are the second favourites to go down but I’m not having that at all. They have a goal threat in them in Jamie Cureton and some good young talent but better than that they are in a good catchment area where they can pick up quality loan talent. They are likely to be in the bottom half but they’ve got enough to stay up.
Morecambe are another side regularly expected to be relegated but like Accrington they continue to punch above their weight. Of the three I think they might struggle the most but again I still think they have just enough to survive although the loss of Jack Redshaw can’t be ignored by any means.
Mansfield are another side in the relegation mix and I can see them going down at a nice price. I’m tempted to back them but there are a couple of sides who look to have better chances or are a better price.
Newport flirted with the playoffs last season but they have had a clearout in the summer and lost their backer and this could be a season of struggle in Wales. Terry Butcher was an interesting choice of manager but he hasn’t had a whole lot of experience in the league so there isn’t a huge amount I like about them this season. With no cash to replace those who have left this is likely to be a long season for all concerned with Newport.
Crawley were relegated agonisingly last season and I’m not sure they are best prepared to rebound this season. In fact they could even go again. Mark Yates has taken over the helm this season but he had Cheltenham on the slide last season so he’s by no means certain to get Crawley back on track. They’re another side with financial issues and without Izale McLeod’s goals last season they would have been in a much bigger mess. All the signs are he’ll be on his way out before the end of August so you’d have to take from that there is every chance Crawley will struggle at a tasty price, much similar to Tranmere last season.
Back Newport to be relegated for a 2/10 stake at 5.50 with Stan James
Back Crawley to be relegated for a 1/10 stake at 10.00 with Sportingbet
