The 2018/19 League Two season gets underway this weekend and fans of all 24 clubs will be full of optimism ahead of the opening round of games. At the time of writing, Milton Keynes Dons and Notts County are joint-favourites for the League Two crown at 6/1 but there are at least six or seven teams in the mix for success. We look at a few of the chief candidates…
Paul Tisdale made the tough decision to leave Exeter City for MK Dons after 12 years at St James Park. Prior to that move, he was the longest-serving manager in the Football League and Tisdale will be hoping that he has made the right call. He won’t have to wait too long to face his former side; MK Dons host Exeter City on August 25th.
On paper, MK Dons look well placed to challenge for the title. The Dons have signed former Exeter duo Ryan Harley and Robbie Simpson ahead of the new season and that familiarity with Tisdale could prove decisive. Both men could play key roles for MK Dons in the coming months and it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the League Two favourites prevail.
Notts County were motoring towards automatic promotion for most of 2017/18 but the Magpies struggled for momentum in 2018. Kevin Nolan’s men eventually finished fifth but fell short in the playoffs – another top six finish looks likely this season. With a bit of luck, County could go one better and finish in the top three in 2018/19.
888sport customers can back Notts at 2/1 to secure promotion via any means next season; not a bad price considering their efforts in the previous campaign. Summer signing Kristian Dennis will offer welcome support in the final third; there was a clear and obvious need to replace the departing Jorge Grant. Notts County will be there or thereabouts.
Mansfield Town are next up at 7/1 and they might just be the pick of the bunch. The Stags slipped down the League Two ladder in the closing stages of last season but Mansfield will have learned a lot from that disappointment. Write David Flitcroft’s side off at your peril; Mansfield could be set to secure promotion to the third flight of English football.
A favourable run of fixtures to start the campaign could help Mansfield to build momentum in the early stages of the season – the Stags will take some stopping if they get their noses in front at the top of the table. This could be a memorable campaign for Mansfield and their supporters if everything goes to plan.
Lincoln City and Northampton Town both showed glimpses of challenging for promotion in 2017/18 and both teams are available at 2/1 to move up to League One at the end of the campaign. The Imps missed out on a playoff spot on goal difference last season and there will be plenty of punters backing Lincoln to improve on those excursions.
Northampton finished four points from safety last season and the Cobblers will expect to go close in their pursuit of automatic promotion back to League One. Dean Austin’s men have been well backed to go up at the first time of asking and Northampton will be right in the mix barring any major setbacks in the opening stages of the campaign.
The League Two title race looks set to be wide open and most clubs will be quietly confident of challenging for silverware this term. Only one team can emerge victorious though and Mansfield Town might just be the team to beat. The Stags are primed for another serious shot at automatic promotion; watch this space.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
