League Two Midweek Betting: Robins to continue good start

Mark Yates needs Byron Harrison and together they can engineer a Cheltenham win

Some early form can be continued by Cheltenham and Wycombe. Neither of those teams were expected to set League Two alight this season, but back them while you can, says Ian Lamont, who also fancies Plymouth, plus Northampton to get a point at Pompey...

Cheltenham 2.68/5 Carlisle 3.185/40; the draw 3.412/5

Cheltenham boss Mark Yates must be delighted with his team's start - a win at Bury and a slightly fortuitous one over Accrington who missed a last-minute penalty.

He also knows he is short of a striker and admits he missed out to Carlisle for the loan signing of Ipswich's Jack Marriott. So - confident as he is that Byron Harrison has recovered fully from a dead leg - he will need his main man in tip-top shape on Tuesday.

The 27-year-old came off in the first half on Saturday and if the Robins can find regular goals from elsewhere in the team too they have the potential for a far better season than last.

Teenager Marriott is the 11th new face at Brunton Park since relegation and some natives are already restless after the humiliation at Wycombe. They are now without Matty Robson (injured) and Alex Marrow (suspended).

Cheltenham's small squad remains unfancied in the League Two winners market @ 70.069/1 but they should be able to continue a good start at the expense of Carlisle's apparent disarray - at a decent price.

Recommended Bet:
Back Cheltenham @ 2.68/5

Portsmouth 2.26/5 v Northampton 4.03/1; the draw 3.412/5

Chris Wilder might have a fantastic record as an away manager - one defeat in 16 months - but I seem to remember thinking that when he was at Oxford lat season there was something unbalance: they had a poor home record. 

He knows Northampton must improve on their most recent away performance, where they just snatched a late draw at York.

With Marc Richards among the goals already and solid midfield experience in Ricky Ravenhill - who won this division with Bradford - the away game at Portsmouth is certainly a test of the Cobblers' resilience.

Pompey might have a unity, says boss Andy Awford, but that doesn't stop moments of madness resulting in red cards - one for Adam Webster in Saturday's win over Cambridge. Players are either going to relish playing in front of 17,000 or buckle. If they do the latter, they will find themselves out of their own teams, so here is Northampton's chance to prove their mettle with a draw.

Recommended Bet:
Portsmouth and Northampton to draw @ 3.55/2

Plymouth 2.47/5 v Stevenage 3.55/2; the draw 3.412/5

Graham Westley's side remain a work in progress, with several new faces this season and after a good start now a defeat to much-fancied Southend. Not quite to fancied at Plymouth, who nonetheless should be not underestimated, especially when the visitors lack Calvin Zola and Ronnie Henry, as well as Harry Worley.

The Pilgrims righted some 'wrongs' from last season - defeating Exeter in the Devon derby - but they have many more basic errors to improve on from last season.

With the help of Reuben Reid, who remains quite fancied by many at about 11.010/1 in the top goalscorer market having been the division's second highest scorer last season with 17. Lewis Alessandra netted seven and Marvin Morgan has recovered from injury to boost what many think could, at last, be a proper promotion push under John Sheridan.

We shall see about that, but a victory here would be a good starting point. Young Tyler Harvey, recruited from Salisbury, has scored already, which also bodes well.

Recommended Bet:
Back Plymouth @ 2.47/5

Wycombe 2.447/5 v Tranmere 3.39/4; the draw 3.412/5

Being a believer that teams should be backed when in form - however unfashionable the club or temporary the run might feel - I am going to chance Wycombe to continue their good form.

Paris Cowan-Hall has been a player to watch for while now, along with Max Kretzschmar who can can be the standout player. There have been some interesting signings over the summer such as defender Sido Jombati (Cheltenham) and Peter Murphy (Accrington) who might give the club a stronger base than the one which avoided the drop narrowly last season.

Tranmere are still trying to find their League Two bearings and this week released Clayton McDonald and brought in replacement defender Janoi Donacien from Aston Villa.

Recommended Bet:
Back Wycombe @ 2.447/5

P/L 2014-15

+9.5pt