Gameweek 4: The Lower League Special Preview
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The bell rings out to signal the end of the first round of Premier League fixtures as the international break looms. No such break for those outside of the top two tiers however - the action continues through and thus so does Tipple. Here’s my rough guide on this weeks fixtures as I do my best to determine whether it’ll be Dagenham & Redbridge or Worthing who come out on top in the sixth tier!
There is still time to get involved before Gameweek 4 kicks off. Download Tipple and get your picks in for the Lower League Special.
The Big Bet
Bromley vs Gillingham
First versus third as the last two remaining unbeaten teams in League Two duke it out in this week’s Big Bet. The Gills come into the game as favourites but Bromley’s hero Michael Cheek will have something to say about that. Should be a cracking game and a great advert for the game at this level. And who doesn’t love a little upset? Home win and a potential new league leader to top off the weekend.
League One
Bolton Wanderers vs AFC Wimbledon
I’m going for a home win here. Wimbledon have started the better of the two teams and Bolton have managed to draw their last four games 1-1 but I believe Bolton’s superior squad will win out on this occasion.
Doncaster Rovers vs Bradford City
This promises to be a great game. Both promoted sides have enjoyed excellent starts to life in the third tier, both sitting in the play-off places at this early stage. Doncaster have lacked a little going forward but have made up for it with a solid defensive record, while Bradford have been electric going forward but a little looser at the back. I’m going to be a coward and go for a draw here.
Plymouth Argyle vs Stockport County
Plymouth have been awful, recording just one win and five losses in their first six games after returning to League One following a difficult relegation campaign last time out. Last year’s Play-Off semi final losers Stockport started strongly as they look to go a few steps further and reach the Championship. I can’t see past an away win here as long as Plymouth stay in this state.
Port Vale vs Leyton Orient
The O’s are sitting comfortably mid-table as it stands, having lost a lot of the attacking threat they had in on loan last season that took them just one game away from promotion at Wembley. A loss to Northampton at home last time out will be disappointing, but with Vale yet to win and having just sold talisman Lorent Tolaj I still fancy an away win here.
Rotherham United vs Exeter City
Exeter have been blowing hot and cold much like last season. Impressive wins against Blackpool and Wycombe alongside losses to teams like Mansfield and Northampton that you’d expect to finish around Exeter’s level this year. Rotherham have only chalked up one win this season, an opening day victory over fellow strugglers Port Vale. This all depends on which version of Exeter turn up, so I’ll back a draw.
League Two
Newport County vs Bristol Rovers
Newport have lost four league games on the bounce and Rovers have won the last two, including an impressive away win at Grimsby. Newport look despondent going forward, and with Bristol on the up I’m going to have to go with an away win.
Barnet vs Shrewsbury Town
Shrewsbury are in free-fall and look in serious danger of dropping into non-league for the first time since the 2003/04 season. Barnet have had a mixed start, but they know how to put the ball in the net and I make this a pretty comfortable home win.
Harrogate Town vs Crawley
Crawley also yet to win and having trouble keeping the ball out of their net. A mixed bag of results for Harrogate but Stephen Duke-McKenna has hit the ground running this season with three goals and an assist to his name already. He could be the difference here and I’m expecting a home win.
MK Dons vs Grimsby
These sides sit 7th and 8th respectively with identical records, separated by goal difference. Big spenders MK added to their ranks by signing exciting wing-back Kane Wilson from Derby this week. For a side with the quality on the pitch and in the dugout that they have, Paul Warne’s team will be disappointed not to have accumulated more points. Grimsby backed up their famous victory over Manchester United with a home loss to Bristol Rovers last time out. I’m expecting a tight and cagey draw in this one.
National League
Altrincham vs Sutton United
Sutton suffered an agonising 93rd minute loss in midweek, whereas Altrincham were buoyed by an impressive away win. Sutton are now just hovering over the drop zone on goals scored. A long 213 mile trip for an early start edges it the home side’s way for me. Home win.
Boston United vs Solihull Moors
Solihull are rock bottom and winless, sacking their manager just seven games into the season on Wednesday. Boston have also struggled to impress, so don’t expect a barn burner (so it’ll probably end a 5-5 draw). I’ll go against the grain slightly and back the new gaffer to get something, but not all three points. Draw.
Forest Green Rovers vs Hartlepool United
Quite the contrast in this one. Both teams flying high with unbeaten records and Hartlepool boasting the division’s best defence, conceding just twice so far this campaign. Robbie Savage’s table toppers will look to be the third outfit to break down the Great Wall of Hartlepool and I think they’ll succeed and make a big statement. Home win.
Scunthorpe United vs Wealdstone
Both teams are lingering in and around the edge of the play-offs, Scunthorpe are still unbeaten while the visiting Wealdstone had lost three on the bounce before a great win midweek against a widely-fancied Southend. About time I stuck my neck out and went for a little upset - the unbeaten run ends here - away win.
Yeovil Town vs York City
York are in a bit of a false position, two or three games in hand on the majority of the league and still unbeaten, they have still only won once. 96 points last year and still reeling from losing the Play-Off final to a team who finished on 73, York have a point to prove. Yeovil have been a mess behind the scenes in recent years, with their owner fighting fans and banning those who dare oppose him on Twitter. Ultimately, the on-pitch side isn’t great either, just the two wins so far this season and leaky at the back, this should be a fairly routine away win.
National League North/South
Bedford Town vs Curzon Ashton
Newly promoted Bedford are still finding their feet in this division while veterans of this level Curzon Ashton have also had a rocky start, despite defeating a strong Chorley side midweek. Experience at this level can be enough to pull you through and I think the visitors will show that to be true this weekend. Away win.
Buxton vs Oxford City
One goal difference separates these in 18th and 19th. Neither side have been particularly goal-shy but neither have they been defensively sound. Oxford picked up an impressive 5-0 win in midweek and I think that momentum will carry them to an away win.
Chesham United vs Bath City
Not much to split these two so far, Chesham a point ahead of Bath at this early juncture. Bath had the better defensive record until they got hammered 4-0 at home to Maidenhead midweek. The home side haven’t won in five and Bath will be keen to bounce back from a disappointing result so I’ll edge it as an away win.
Dagenham & Redbridge vs Worthing
Another tight one, Worthing have started marginally better and picked up all 3 points against a struggling Salisbury on Tuesday but there isn’t much at all in it. Worthing have been more prolific in front of goal and Dagenham have a habit of throwing away leads. Again, I’m going for an away win here.
Salisbury vs Tonbridge Angels
Wow. No wins between them all season. Impossible to call - both look pretty dire. Tonbridge look particularly suspect at the back - their defensive record only worsened by Farnborough, who have scored twice the goals of Tonbridge to compensate. Narrow home win for Salisbury here. Not a classic.
My Picks
I’ve gone for one from each of the five leagues on offer alongside the Big Bet - these are the sides I’m hoping to back up my predictions this week:
Bromley vs Gillingham (BIG BET) HOME
Port Vale vs Leyton Orient AWAY
Barnet vs Shrewsbury HOME
York vs Yeovil AWAY
Buxton vs Oxford AWAY
Chesham vs Bath AWAY
There’s every chance I’ve gone 0/6 here and that’s the beauty of lower league football. An exciting week sure to throw up a few upsets. Bring it on!