THE much anticipated fixtures for our EFL League Two were released on Wednesday morning.
Here are the opening weekend matches I am anticipating most to assist your analysis of football odds in sports betting...
Friday 9th August – 8pm kick-off
Chesterfield v Swindon Town
Chesterfield
Final position 2023/24: 1st in the National League
Chesterfield were worthy champions of the National League amassing a 12 point cushion over second place. They have regained EFL membership following six years away.
Swindon Town
Final position 2023/24: 19th in League Two
On 29th May, Swindon Town appointed ex-Republic of Ireland winger Mark Kennedy as new head coach. Previous incumbent Michael Flynn departed in January prior to Gavin Gunning assuming interim duties for the rest of 2023/24.
Saturday 10th August – all 3pm kick-offs
AFC Wimbledon v Colchester United
AFC Wimbledon
Final position 2023/24: 10th in League Two
AFC Wimbledon’s momentum declined due to just two wins in their closing eight games.
Colchester United
Final position 2023/24: 22nd in League Two
Colchester United confirmed League Two status in drawing 1-1 at home to Crewe Alexandra in the final fixture. They evaded that dreaded drop zone by three points.
Barrow v Crewe Alexandra
Barrow
Final position 2023/24: 8th in League Two
Barrow brought in Stephen Clemence for head coach deployment on 31st May. They parted company with preceding boss Pete Wild after missing out on the Play-Offs spots by a single point.
Crewe Alexandra
Final position 2023/24: 6th in League Two
Crewe Alexandra’s Play-Off Semi-Final victory over Doncaster Rovers (via a 4-3 penalty shoot-out) was surprising since they mustered merely one win during their last nine games of the regular season. Accordingly though, the Final at Wembley resulted in a 2-0 reverse at the hands of Crawley Town.
Cheltenham Town v Newport County
Cheltenham Town
Final position 2023/24: 21st in League One
Relegated by two points in League One, Cheltenham Town then named Michael Flynn as new manager on 31st May. He replaces Darrell Clarke who left to take over at League One outfit Barnsley. Flynn now faces one of his favourite teams on the opening day having played for and managed Newport County in the past. Furthermore, he was actually born in Newport.
Newport County
Final position 2023/24: 18th in League Two
Another managerial change saw Graham Coughlan leave Newport County by mutual consent on 20th June because the club want to move in a “different direction”. The replacement is expected soon.
Doncaster Rovers v Accrington Stanley
Doncaster Rovers
Final position 2023/24: 5th in League Two
Doncaster Rovers remained unconquered throughout the concluding 12 League Two games. Their fantastic 10 match winning streak ceased with a draw in the final fixture. However, they drew 2-2 on aggregate versus Crewe Alexandra in the Play-Off Semi-Finals before surrendering 4-3 on penalties.
Accrington Stanley
Final position 2023/24: 17th in League Two
Accrington Stanley lost nine of their final 14 encounters.
Gillingham v Carlisle United
Gillingham
Final position 2023/24: 12th in League Two
Gillingham installed former Cambridge United boss Mark Bonner as new manager on 7th May. He succeeded Stephen Clemence who was sacked at the end of April.
Carlisle United
Final position 2023/24: 24th in League One
Freshly relegated Carlisle United were 16 points adrift of safety at the foot of League One.
Harrogate Town v Bromley
Harrogate Town
Final position 2023/24: 13th in League Two
Harrogate Town last met Bromley in the 2019/20 National League campaign where both matches were draws.
Bromley
Final position 2023/24: 3rd in the National League
Bromley are promoted to the Football League for the first time in their 132 year history. The National League Play-Off Final against Solihull Moors at Wembley Stadium finished in a 2-2 draw and Bromley edged matters 4-3 on penalties.
Milton Keynes Dons v Bradford City
MK Dons
Final position 2023/24: 4th in League Two
MK Dons were eight points short of the automatic promotion placings. They subsequently capitulated 8-1 on aggregate to Crawley Town in the Play-Off Semi-Finals.
Bradford City
Final position 2023/24: 9th in League Two
Bradford City won six times in a seven match unbeaten run at the season’s denouement but failed to secure Play-Off contention by one point.
Walsall v Morecambe
Walsall
Final position 2023/24:11th in League Two
Walsall were defeated in four of their final five League engagements.
Morecambe
Final position 2023/24: 15th in League Two
Morecambe recruited the vastly experienced Derek Adams for a third spell as manager on 3rd June. This followed Ged Brannan’s switch to Accrington Stanley becoming assistant manager in April.
The 2024/25 English Football League fixtures are released at 9am on Wednesday 26th June 2024 and League Two supporters will be eagerly anticipating the opening weekend's matches.
Fans of every Championship, League One and League Two club will find out their fixture schedule for the new campaign and optimism will be high as supporters dream of securing promotion to the next tier.
The Football League will kick off on the weekend of 10th - 11th August 2024, with the final weekend of the regular season taking place on 2nd May 2025.
With 46 rounds of league action taking place across 33 weekends, nine midweek rounds and four Bank Holidays in the Championship, it looks set to be one of the best seasons yet.
Meanwhile, League One and League Two clubs will do battle over 36 weekends, with six midweek rounds and four Bank Holiday fixture lists.
As is tradition, the Football League playoff finals will take place over the 2025 May Bank Holiday Weekend but we've got nine months of exhilarating EFL action before then!
*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*
