The English Leagues get underway this weekend and after a long pre-season, clubs will be raring to play some competitive football. In League Two, Coventry head in to the campaign as one of the favourites to be promoted this season and looking at their squad it is clear to see why. They were relegated from League One last season, and will be looking to bounce back at the first attempt.
Notts County improved for the appointment of Kevin Nolan last year and with the chance to rebuild the squad exactly how he wants it this season, they too have a chance of performing well and challenging for honours. This game promises to be very good, bringing together two teams with hopes of promotion and it will be great to see them battle it out so early in the season.
Coventry Form
This is the year that Coventry expects. After a dismal run last season, they were relegated to League Two and with continued problems off the field throughout last season, it was all doom and gloom at the club. However, at least from an on-field perspective, Coventry are looking in a much better position this summer.
They have recruited well, added a few names that the fans will like and look to be building a squad that is capable of bouncing back into League One. The problems off-field will remain at the club, but a good start by the players will really get the fans behind them on the field and they will certainly get huge support if they start well.
Notts County Form
Kevin Nolan quietly went about things very well last season with Notts County and in the second half of last season they were very impressive. If they can re-create that for a full season then this campaign should be a good one for them. Nolan has had the chance to remould the squad and he has what he wants at his disposal now, it will be interesting to see what he can do with them.
For both the fans and players at Notts County, their biggest issue is that they need something to believe in. Kevin Nolan has brought that to the club, and if they start this campaign well then I expect the fans and players to believe that they are capable of a promotion push.
Team News
For Notts County, Lewis Alessandra, Terry Hawkridge, Liam Walker and Shaun Brislet are all expected to play some part in the game after arriving this summer. Whether or not Kevin Nolan risks them all starting on day one remains to be seen, but it is expected we will see them all at some point.
Mark Robins, the boss at Coventry has a tough task ahead of him when it comes to picking his starting eleven. With nine new arrivals this summer, he has a lot of choice, but like Notts County I doubt we will see them all start in the game.
Top Betting Tips
This one should be a very good game to kick start the League Two campaign. Coventry are one of the favourites for promotion and it is easy to see why with the squad they have assembled. Off the field problems will continue to play a part, but if the team begin well, I expect them to have a good following as they look to bounce back into League One at the first time of asking.
Notts County will also quietly fancy their chances of promotion, they are one of many exciting outsiders for the promotion race and a good start here will help them massively. They are going to be well supported, with over 1000 away fans making the journey for this one, giving the players a huge backing.
For me, they are about belief and if they can make a good start then the players and fans will believe that promotion is a realistic goal for them. I believe it is, and I also think they have one of the best managers in the division, with Kevin Nolan at the helm. I believe we will see goals in this one and with two closely matched teams both starting their campaign, I am going to pick the draw in this one. A 1-1 draw is priced up at 6/1 with William Hill. I expect both teams to score, but neither team will want to lose the opener, and 1-1 looks to be a good shout in this game.