League Two Preview

Welcome back to the Pride of Nottingham’s League Preview, within this article you will find information on all the scheduled games planned for this weekend (including our own game on Friday night).

The key game for this round if we take Notts out of the equation, would no doubt be between the promotion candidates Plymouth and Portsmouth. With both teams eyeing up promotion, after putting last year’s campaign behind themselves.

We look forward to bringing you, your regular PON football fix.

* Important Game – ** Key Game

Friday 14^th August 2015

**Notts County v Mansfield – Kick Off 7:45pm – Score Prediction (3-1)

Saturday 15^th August 2015

*Barnet v Wycombe – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-2)
Carlise v Cambridge – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Crawley v AFC Wimbledon – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Dagenham & Redbridge v Leyton Orient – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-1)
*Luton v Oxford – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-0)
Morecambe v Accrington – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-1)
Newport v Stevenage – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (1-1)
Northampton v Exeter – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-2)
**Plymouth v Portsmouth – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (2-1)
Yeovil v Bristol Rovers – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (3-1)
York v Hartlepool – Kick Off 3:00pm – Score Prediction (0-3)

My Stand-Out Games

Barnet v Wycombe
Notts County v Mansfield
Plymouth v Portsmouth

The ambitions of the Bee’s is clear for all to see, they firmly believe that they have a squad capable of achieving something within League two and this is echoed by their fans. Whereas Wycombe will be wanting to maintain their recent success, after finishing 4^th place in last season’s campaign. On the day, either side could win – it’s that difficult to call but this should make it an interesting game.

A win for Barnet will see them move away from the relegation zone, into a comfortable upper mid table position. A Wycombe win, would see them potentially go top depending on the score line, but a draw would see both teams most likely to drop places.

After the recent cup success and opening away day, Notts will be eager to seal the points. Whereas the woe’s for Mansfield continue. This is another game too hard to call, however Stagg fans must not begrudge County’s positive start and really it’s for them to raise their own game. A win for Notts would see them retain a respectful top position, a draw would most likely result in a position in or around 6^th place, whilst this could push Mansfield nearer to the relegation zone. A win for Mansfield would see them edge closer to a play-off place.

Plymouth and Portsmouth are two favourites for promotion, I think being at home is an advantage for Plymouth but Pompey have all to play for. A win for either side could see the winner potentially move to 1^st place, a draw would keep them in or around the play-offs and a loss for either side would see them move to an upper mid table position.

Thoughts on Notts County vs. Mansfield

Both teams have built an interesting squad for the 2015/16 League Two campaign, with Mansfield signing players of a mixed class and of course Notts signing players mostly consisting of a decent level of European football.

With this being the nearest local derby for Notts, I think it’s a must win game for us. After the opening day away at Stevenage, Notts must really fancy their chances in scoring a few goals.

The overall head to head record shows Notts as favourites after winning 17, Mansfield have won 14 and 13 games have been drawn.

Three of the last five encounters have ended up with draws, with Notts winning the most recent within the JPT back in September 2014 and Mansfield winning the other in October 2007.

The bookies favourites must surely be Notts, yet as always you cannot write a side off. A local derby always ensures that teams want to acquire the rights for claiming the grudge match win, plus Mansfield can be quite a physical side, which will require Notts to be on top of their game. Whilst the Stags manager Adam Murray still learning his trade, the veteran and experienced Ricardo Moniz will have the game duly studied ahead of time to find the weaknesses within the Stags team.