League One: Goals not on the agenda at Brisbane Road

Orient boss Russell Slade still searching for his first win this season

Although the midweek 1-0 loss against Stevenage was better, Orient could have played for a thousand minutes and not scored.

Alan Dudman expects Notts County and Tranmere Rovers to maintain their good start to the season, whilst goals are definitely not on his agenda at Brisbane Road for the weekend.

Leyton Orient 2.226/5 v Hartlepool 3.45n/a ; the draw 3.3512/5

Despite the season being just two games old, Saturday throws up a couple of teams already low on confidence. Orient have lost both of their matches, whilst Hartlepool received another verbal bashing from their boss Neale Cooper on Tuesday night.

The Londoners were punished for their defensive inefficiencies in the opening League One match at Tranmere last weekend, beaten 3-1 and lacking any sort of attacking inspiration. Although the midweek 1-0 loss against Stevenage was better, they could have played for 1,000 minutes and not scored. I thought at the start of the season that O's boss Russell Slade might be under a bit of pressure, and another poor result will start more grumbling from the stands.

Meanwhile Hartlepool defended stoically in the 0-0 Saturday opener with Swindon, but once again showed their 'Jekyll and Hyde' nature with a poor performance at Notts County on Tuesday - losing 2-0. Cooper laid into his players afterwards, citing basic mistakes and poor attitude. Worryingly he was quoted as saying "I can't trust this team".

Pools have yet to score, Orient have scored once. Both look short of goals, and Cooper's side are showing next to nothing in terms of their final ball. I think the visitors might go with their away formation of a variation of 4-3-3, which really is a 4-5-1. As both look short of confidence already, a draw with an In-Play lay-off looks a solid bet to back up an under 2.5 goals affair.

Recommended Bets
Back the draw @ 3.309/4
Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.875/6
Back 0-0 @ 9.008/1

Shrewsbury Town 2.526/4 v Tranmere Rovers 2.982/1 ; the draw 3.259/4

League One new boys Shrewsbury have adjusted well to life higher up the football pyramid, and Graham Turner's re-modelled side extended their magical 33 game unbeaten home run on Tuesday night with a 1-0 win over the physical Preston. Early signs are good, with some decent build-up play and possession over their two matches.

Tranmere are rocking, two from two with handsome victories over Leyton Orient (3-1) and Carlisle United (3-0), with a plethora of goals coming from wily veteran Andy Robinson and Jean-Louis Akpa Akpro. The latter has been a wasted talent over the years, whose poor goal record hasn't matched his natural ability. Perhaps the 27-year-old will blossom at Prenton Park? He has the right manager in Ronnie Moore, who has a fast, pacy, counter-attacking team which could suit this match perfectly.

Rovers have defended well from the early skirmishes and have got goals in them. Their away form really let them down last term, but I am liking the look of Tranmere from what I have seen so far.

Recommended Bets
Lay Shrewsbury @ 2.526/4
Back under 2.5 goals @ 2.001/1
Notts County 1.804/5 v Walsall 5.104/1 ; the draw 3.6013/5

Like Tranmere, Notts County have enjoyed a 100 per cent start to the season, with wins against Hartlepool and Crewe. In truth, Keith Curle's side looked different class during Tuesday's success over Pools, with the star man Andre Boucard excelling in midfield.

The Magpies have a small but quality squad, and their title odds of 12.50n/a are understandable. Curle used a 4-5-1 formation in midweek, a set-up that really suits the excellent Alan Judge, who plays a creative attacking role just behind veteran goal poacher Lee Hughes. Whilst the delivery of Alan Sheehan from wide areas and dead ball situations is a joy to behold.

I have subscribed to Walsall boss Dean Smith's fan club, not only because I once played in midfield alongside him for a charity game at Brisbane Road, but he's a man who gets his young squad playing for him. At times they can be naive, but they can also play with no fear and responded well with a gutsy 1-1 draw at Oldham this week.

However, if the Magpies are to be contenders, these are games they should not lose.

Recommended Bet
Back Notts County to win @ 1.804/5