The Sportsman's 2018/19 League Two Predictions

The Sportsman's 2018/19 League Two Predictions
16:42, 03 Aug 2018

Check out our League One predictions here and our Championship predictions here.

Champions

Simon Lillicrap: Lincoln City

The Cowley brothers have got things going in the right direction at Lincoln and the signing of John Akinde will prove vital. Lincoln should win this league.

Steve Chambers: MK Dons

Relegated last season from League One, MK Dons can make a swift return to the third tier by romping to League Two glory, as new boss Paul Tisdale can flourish after leaving Exeter City and with more resources at his disposal he can win the title.

Russell Palmer: Lincoln City

Having backed them last year and going close, I'm all in on Lincoln* again this season. The Cowley's have added some eye-catching signings to their team who are just used to winning and they can continue their rise with League Two glory.

Jack Porter: Lincoln City

Got to back Cowley & Cowley, and the club have invested well this summer. Instead of thinking what could have been after their semi-final play-off loss to Exeter, the Imps seem to be pushing on and hoping to surpass the previous year. Danny Cowley should be aiming for the top, to avoid coming up short in the play-offs again.

Sean Raymond: Notts County

Went close last year with a strong run into the play-offs and all the signs out of the club suggest they are in for another big season under the excellent Kevin Nolan.

Chris Knight:  Notts County

Somehow contrived to miss out on promotion from a position of strength last season but will bounce back under Kevin Nolan, who has made some fine signings during an excellent transfer window for the club.

Promoted

Simon: MK Dons, Notts County & Mansfield

I’m convinced the automatic promotion places will be made up of Lincoln, Notts and MK Dons, in no particular order. For me by far the three strongest teams in the division should have no bother rising to the top.

The play-off winner is more difficult and although I have half an eye on Northampton, I’ve plumped for Mansfield. This is on the basis that they get rid of manager David Flitcroft early on and the squad can salvage a top 7 finish. With another man in charge they could have been top 3 contenders.

Steve: Mansfield, Cambridge & Swindon

Having just missed out on the play-offs at the end of last season, David Flitcroft and Mansfield can use that platform as a stepping stone to progress further this season, and they can chase MK Dons all the way. A top-half finish last season, Cambridge ended the campaign pretty well, and Joe Dunne can build on that decent finish and challenge at the upper echelons of the division in the 2018/19 campaign.

A club used to playing in a higher division, Swindon Town can return to League One via the play-offs, as in Phil Brown they have a manager that has lots of experience and he can use that to get the Robins promoted.

Russell: MK Dons, Cambridge & Port Vale

Joining Lincoln are MK Dons who under Paul Tisdale can bounce straight back up to League One. Tisdale got Exeter promoted during his 12 year tenure at the Devon club and he's got a classier bunch of individuals under his tenure here.

At bigger prices Cambridge can kick on from an excellent second half of the season where Joe Dunne took over from Shaun Derry and collected 25 points from fifteen games, whilst Port Vale have swapped in 12 new players during the summer and could be anything.

JP: MK Dons, Notts County & Swindon

Backing Kevin Nolan with Notts and old tango himself Phil Brown at Swindon Town. Nolan may not have instilled the most attractive football at County, more sledgehammer than scalpel, but they picked up the points admirably and finished with the third best goal difference in the league.

The only thing that might hinder both managers is the increased level of expectation from fans.MK Dons should also make an immediate return back up to League One.

Sean: Lincoln, MK Dons & Mansfield

The Imps have a terrific young manager in the form of Danny Cowley and the natural progression for the club is to challenge for the automatic promotion spots.

A tough spell following their relegation from League One but MK Dons' squad remains pretty decent at this level and they should have enough to bounce back at the first time of asking.

The Stags just missed out on a play-off spot last season but they are moving in the right direction still and it is easy to imagine them in the shake-up for a place in the division above.

Chris: MK Dons, Lincoln & Swindon

Only one relegated team went straight back up from League Two last season (Coventry via the play-offs) but MK Dons have a strong squad and have made an exceptional managerial appointment, with Paul Tisdale coming in from Exeter.

Lincoln are a progressive club going about things the right way under the Cowley brothers and can build on last year's run to the play-off semi-finals. The addition of the experienced John Akinde could be an inspired move.

The marmite figure of Phil Brown will provide entertainment on the touchline, but he is not to be underestimated as he strengthened the Robins' squad with a host of new signings from higher divisions.

Two Relegated Teams

Simon: Yeovil & Oldham

Yeovil have been on a downward slide for several years now and with the other sides at the bottom improving i think this is their season to drop. Oldham may seem like a surprise pick as they have only just come down from League One but, as we saw with Chesterfield, it can be a quick route down to non-league.

The Latics are in turmoil of the field and with a host of questionable signings I see them really struggling to cope with the intensity this season. You can get 14/1 on Oldham to go down. VALUE.

Steve:  Forest Green Rovers & Morecambe

An entertaining side to watch, Forest Green Rovers had the second worst defensive record in League Two last season, and they could find it tough to remain in the fourth tier for another year.

Morecambe escaped relegation to the National League by goal difference last season, Morecambe are sure to be fighting it out at the bottom once again, and they can join Forest Green in the bottom two.

Russell: Cheltenham & Exeter

Cheltenham have been flirting with relegation since they were promoted a few years ago and look a price at 9/1 to drop back out of the league, whilst at bigger prices

I'll have a dabble on Exeter to drop like a stone following the departure of Paul Tisdale who did wonders to get this group into the play-offs last year.

JP: Macclesfield & Morecambe

Macclesfield Town have lost their manager and arguably their best player, and will likely struggle to stay afloat. A direct ticket straight back out of the league is on the cards. Morecambe with the most minuscule of budgets are also an absolute mortgage job to back to go down after managing to stay up in 17/18 through goal difference over Barnet.

Sean: Yeovil & Morecambe

Morecambe survived by the skin of their teeth in May but they won't be so lucky this time. Off you go.

The Glovers have slipped away having made it into the Championship a few years back and the decline could continue at Huish Park. Not enough quality.

Chris: Crewe & Morecambe

This will be their third season in League Two and they have shown zero signs of progression. A relegation battle awaits.

As for Morecambe, only a miracle saved them from relegation last season. Surely lightning can't strike twice.

Golden Boot winner

Simon: John Akinde.

The missing piece of the puzzle for title winners Lincoln is big John Akinde. An absolute bagsman.

Steve: Kieran Agard

A striker with Championship experience, Kieran Agard can run riot in League Two this season, and he is a great bet to finish top goalscorer in the league, as he can help MK Dons win promotion.

Russell: Tom Pope

Pope scored 17 times last season for Port Vale and manager Neil Aspin has brought in 12 players around his club captain this season who looks a good each-way play at 20/1.

JP: Chris Porter

Chris Porter of Crewe Alexandra. Only for the reason I think I’m related to him somewhere along the line of Porter dynasty. Remember him bagging a shedload for Bury, Oldham and Motherwell in his younger years. He may be 34 now, but this could be one last hurrah with Crewe.

Sean: Jayden Stockley

Stockley enjoyed his first full season at Exeter last term with 19 goals to his name which lead to interest from Ipswich and Preston among others. The Poole born striker remains in Devon though and can make hay at this level.

Chris: Kristian Dennis

Scored 21 goals for relegated Chesterfield last season, so imagine what he could do for a promotion-chasing Notts County side this season!

Surprise Package

Simon: Grimsby

Michael Jolley and his clan seem to be turning things around on the coast and I believe they are in with a chance of a top half finish. Relegation should not be a worry for the Mariners this season. Luton won’t be a surprise for me.

Steve: Tranmere Rovers

Promoted via the National League play-offs last season, Tranmere Rovers could well shock a few this season, as Micky Mellon's men often showed they were a class act last season, despite finishing way behind champions Macclesfield Town.

Russell: Port Vale

You'll notice a theme here but I fancy Port Vale to go well at 33/1. Neil Aspin has a genuine goalscorer threat in Tom Pope and has ripped the team up from last season to play around him.

JP: Exeter City

But not in the way you think. Their awful play-off final against Coventry City will leave the Grecians demoralised and unmotivated, with the further added loss of Paul Tisdale, and if they stop treading water, they could become involved in a relegation scrap. Admittedly, a bit of an out-there prediction after their fourth place finish in 17/18.

Sean: Macclesfield Town

Will surprise a few and stay up.

Chris: Carlisle United

John Sheridan steadied the ship at Fleetwood before he was perhaps harshly replaced by Joey Barton. It bodes well that he has previous at League Two level and he could enjoy a decent season with Carlisle.

Manager of the year

Simon: Danny Cowley

The Lincoln love in continues for me. Cowley should win this if he stays at Lincoln for the whole season and is not tempted by another club.

Steve: Paul Tisdale

Widely known for his sartorial elegance in the technical area, Paul Tisdale has long been heralded as a top manager, and now at the helm of MK Dons he can show his worth by being the catalyst for a fine promotion.

Russell: Danny Cowley

The legend that is Danny Cowley will be awarded manager of the year as Lincoln continue their upward rise through the divisions.

JP: Danny Cowley

Danny Cowley winning over everyone once more. Or, in a slight to Exeter yet again, MK Dons new manager Paul Tisdale.

Sean: Kevin Nolan

Kevin Nolan has taken to management like a duck to water with Notts County and he looks to to have all the tools needed to become a top class manager.

Chris: Danny Cowley

Difficult to not be impressed by what he has done with Lincoln, winning the Checkatrade and FA Trophies in recent seasons, and the Imps should enjoy another excellent campaign with him at the helm.

Will Kevin Nolan be smiling come May?
Will Kevin Nolan be smiling come May?
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