46 games down, potentially three more to go. The League Two promotion race went right down to the final day of the campaign for Milton Keynes Dons and Mansfield Town, with the former doing just about enough to join Bury and Lincoln City in League One next season.
Mansfield cannot afford to ponder on that final day disappointment for too long; the Stags head to Newport County on Thursday night for their playoff semi-final first leg. The visitors will be quietly confident of getting the job done over two legs…
We have the war of the Rovers on Friday evening as Tranmere host Forest Green. With little to separate the two teams during the regular season, neutrals are expecting a close contest at Prenton Park. Fingers crossed for an open and exciting affair.
Without further ado, let’s get down to the action. The fight to secure promotion to League One is well and truly on – it is do or die time. 888sport is the place to be for the latest news, tips and odds on League Two and the rest of the Football League during the playoffs.
FRIDAY
NEWPORT COUNTY vs MANSFIELD TOWN
Newport are the form team in this year’s League Two playoffs – you won’t find too many punters writing the Welsh side off. The hosts are unbeaten in their last 10 league games, with impressive victories over Lincoln and Bury in that run.
888sport are offering 13/8 for Newport to secure a first leg triumph on Thursday evening; a decent price taking their resurgence into account. Rodney Parade has been something of a fortress in recent months; Newport have lost just once at home since Boxing Day.
Mansfield have lost three league games on the spin and Stags supporters will be ruing that poor run of form. Third place was there for the taking but Mansfield couldn’t get over the line and they must now regroup quickly ahead of Thursday’s clash.
However, that is easier said than done. Newport are full of confidence right now and the hosts will be tough to stop. From a Mansfield perspective, the 4/9 to avoid defeat may be the way to go.
The Welsh outfit can catch Mansfield cold after that final day disappointment. It wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see Newport go for throat in the early exchanges and 11/10 for the hosts to score in the opening 45 minutes is a solid betting pick.
This is likely to be cagey and the under 2.5 goals line is in play – 10/13 is an excellent price for a low-scoring affair given what is at stake. Newport will want to keep things tight while Mansfield will trust themselves to finish the job at One Call Stadium.
TIP: Under 2.5 goals (10/13 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Newport 1-0 Mansfield (8/1 with 888sport)
FRIDAY
TRANMERE ROVERS vs Forest Green Rovers
Tranmere laboured over the finishing line, winning just one of their last seven games of the season. While that record counts for nothing in the playoffs, a lack of confidence was visible in those matches and Micky Mellon’s side must improve.
With just four home defeats all season, Tranmere have been a pillar of consistency in front of their own fans. In fact, 14 of their 20 victories in League Two came at Prenton Park and that makes 21/20 for a home win an enticing option in 888sport football betting odds.
Forest Green have won their last four games against Tranmere and some punters will fancy the 5/2 on offer for an away win. Junior Mondal’s goal was the difference between the two teams when they met at Prenton Park back in April.
The visitors have lost just two of their previous 10 league games and it would take a brave man to back against them on current form. Mark Cooper’s side will be determined to avoid defeat ahead of the second leg on home soil.
Watch out for James Norwood here. The Tranmere striker scored an incredible 29 goals to claim the Golden Boot award – seven more than his nearest rival. He has been the dominant force in League Two this season.
17 of his haul came at Prenton Park and the home fans will be expecting Norwood to make an impact against his former side on Friday night. If Norwood is in the mood, it could be a tricky night for Forest Green.
TIP: Tranmere to win (21/20 with 888sport)
PREDICTED SCORE: Tranmere 2-1 Forest Green (15/2 with 888sport)
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
