League Two Betting: Chris Wilder's Northampton side are on the rise

Former Oxford boss Chris Wilder has helped Northampton rise recently

Northampton might have lost midweek, but that was after five straight wins. Ian Lamont sees no reason they cannot revert to victories. Points are also very plausible for strugglers Hartlepool and Tranmere...

Mansfield 3.211/5 v Northampton 2.68/5; The Draw 3.45n/a

One defeat - especially midweek - often has little bearing on a good form line. But you'd think the world had caved in if you read some of the Northampton fans' remarks on their local paper's website.

Five straight wins, and the climb from just above the relegation zone, seem to have been quickly forgotten in the rush to criticise Chris Wilder for slating one of his players, Lee Collins, for an error which led to Hartlepool's winner on Tuesday.

Other players passed the ball back to the keeper Matt Duke, but Collins didn't get away with it and was singled out.

The euphoria of all those wins no doubt played its part in the Cobblers' lacklustre display, but the true measure of their worth now is how they bounce back from that defeat.

From a betting point of view, a blip is forgivable. They have plenty of attacking options, in Ricky Holmes, league top scorer Marc Richards and now Billy Bodin.

Mansfield might have signed an experienced keeper in Lenny Pidgeley, but their problems run much deeper. If a striker like Billy Kee can't maintain a place, he has not been fully enthused.

Northampton look capable of overturning the Opta stats, such as not scoring on their last two trips to Field Mill and losing four of their last five trips there.

Recommended Bet:
Back Northampton @ 2.68/5

Portsmouth 2.35/4 v Exeter 3.613/5; The Draw 3.55/2

Progress and satisfaction are not words which Pompey fans are prepared to recognise from their manager Andy Awford at present.

The Portsmouth boss remains on a tight leash as far as they are concerned, after the board decided he should stay as manager.

The more generous fans point to his win ratio of 36% from 42 games, compared to Richie Barker's 20% from 20 matches. But some mutter they won't renew season tickets if Awford remains in charge next season. Gary Johnson's availability after leaving Yeovil has also been highlighted.

A goalless, uninspiring draw at Dagenham in midweek didn't help much, but if there is a glimmer of hope it is that Matt Tubbs has now scored after his arrival from Bournemouth. He has more than a dozen goals in League Two already this season - and how AFC Wimbledon missed his penalty prowess on Saturday when Bayo Akinfenwa turned nonchalance into farce from 12 yards.

It might be the advancing of age or the fact that Portsmouth personnel that Tubbs has to get used to, but he has not looked quite the same player who starred for Crawley in this division a few years ago.

Bournemouth didn't quite work for him and now this is perhaps his 'big club' chance.

He tends to score in batches of games - and then not for a few in between. Pompey will hope last Saturday can be the start of a run.

Portsmouth, also, have not scored many recently, notching seven and conceding 11 in 10 games, with three clean sheets in a row something to build on. 

Exeter seem to have more goals in them and against - bagging 12 and conceding 17 in 10 games. And if Exeter go behind, Pompey should not get complacent, according to Opta. The Grecians have recovered a league high 20 points from losing positions.

Their play-off hopes were frustrated by a 2-2 draw in midweek, partly courtesy of an uncharacteristic back post mistake by Craig Woodman it seems.

Paul Tisdale knows his player can do better and after two draws and a win in the past three away games will be hopeful of more points here. One is a distinct possibility as both sides have much to battle for. 

Recommended Bet:
Back The Draw @ 3.55/2

Hartlepool 3.02/1 v Stevenage 2.77/4; The Draw 3.45n/a

How long can Stevenage's injury crisis and associated dip in form go on? Graham Westley noted that further injuries occurred in the 'potholes' of the midweek game against Bury.

He is slating his own ground staff there! At least it ended a run of three defeats, but just four shots of target in that "war of attrition" will not have pleased the boss, apart from more injuries.

Hartlepool sneaked a midweek victory with Marvin Morgan snatching his first goal for his new club, who need as much of his awkward style against defenders as they can muster.

They kept in-form Northampton at bay and now they have to continue that long climb to safety which they have begun. A clean sheet was a great start and consecutive home games now gives them an advantage to build on that success on Tuesday.

Three straight home wins - as emphasised by Opta - seems a world away from being bottom of the table. A fourth and they are reeling in the rest. Marlon Harewood now has a lithe strike partner and both have plenty of experience to continue Pools' rise.

Recommended Bet:
Back Hartlepool @ 3.02/1

York 2.56/4 v Tranmere 3.412/5; The Draw 3.412/5

You'd have to be a professional psychologist to fathom why York City seem to be able to perform better away than at home, but it happens to many teams. 

Three points from seven games is an appalling return and it is no wonder Russ Wilcox's men have descended into the bottom two.

Despite two of those draws coming at home, confidence must remain fragile. with just 10 goals at Bootham Crescent this season, the lowest in the division by a fair way. 

York are without a win in seven, failing to score in five of them, point out Opta.

Tranmere have climbed above them from that second bottom spot, with three wins, three draws and a defeat in seven games.

Micky Adams has, apparently, improved Kayode 'Big K' Odejayi, who still wants to learn his trade at 32 after 500 senior appearances. The minimum Rovers should expect is a draw here and they might just pinch victory at good odds.

Recommended Bet:
Back Tranmere @ 3.412/5

P/L 2014-15

+8.21