Gwillim: Dons defender is likely to miss out through injury.
League Two bite-size
No time for research? Check out our bite-size summary looking ahead at the midweek action in League Two…
Aldershot have bounced back from a disappointing run to win three in a row in League Two. The Shots have seen off Wimbledon, Hereford and Macclesfield by one-goal margins to move up to 15th. Michael Rankine and Alex Rodman remain long-term absentees for the hosts.
Southend held their position at the top of the table after edging past Crewe 1-0 at Roots Hall. Bilel Mohsni hit the winner for the Blues, who have now won two on the bounce. Paul Sturrock’s men have only lost once in their last five on the road.
There’s a bit of bad blood between these two clubs after the original clash was abandoned. The Shrimpers were leading when that one was called off and they should be able to finish the job on Tuesday.
Verdict: Aldershot 1-2 Southend
Southend to win by one goal at 4/1
Cheltenham v Wimbledon
Cheltenham bounced back from three matches without victory at the weekend to keep pace with leaders Southend. The Robins demolished Dagenham 5-0 away from home to win for only the second time in six games.
Wimbledon played out a 1-1 draw with Morecambe on Saturday and they remain comfortable in mid-table. However, the Dons haven’t won in their last three and Terry Brown will be eager to avoid another long winless streak. Gareth Gwillim is set to miss out again with a hamstring problem.
It’s too soon to say whether Town are back in form but they should be flying high after their weekend success and have too much for the visitors.
Verdict: Cheltenham 2-0 Wimbledon
Cheltenham to keep a clean sheet at 6/4
Crewe v Accrington
Crewe pushed Southend close on Saturday before going down 1-0 but the result dented their play-off hopes. The Alex are still only five points shy of the top seven but face plenty of competition. Steve Davis’ men have won their last three on home turf but will again be without the suspended Adam Dugdale.
Accrington boss Paul Cook endured a nightmare start to his Stanley career as he saw his side beaten 4-0 at home by Plymouth. The boss admitted he had few complaints with the result, which followed a defeat at Rotherham in midweek. However, Accy remain only four points shy of the top seven.
These two are separated by one point and two places, and both have a point to prove after the weekend. A draw could be on the cards.
Verdict: Crewe 1-1 Accrington
Correct score Crewe 1-1 Accrington at 6/1
Gillingham v Rotherham
Gillingham manager Andy Hessenthaler was left fuming as his side were beaten by a last-minute penalty at Port Vale on Saturday. The Gills have now lost five matches in succession and find themselves 13th; six points shy of the play-off places.
Rotherham are going in the other direction and are three points outside the top seven after three games unbeaten. They were held at Burton at the weekend with Shaun Harrad hitting a second-half equaliser, the striker’s third goal in three games since signing on loan from Bury.
The Kent club have struggled defensively of late, shipping six goals in two home matches and with Harrad on form they could be in for more misery.
Verdict: Gillingham 1-2 Rotherham
Rotherham to beat Gillingham at 2/1
Northampton v Macclesfield
Northampton weren’t in action at the weekend but they should still be on a high after Tuesday’s victory over Wimbledon. It was only the Cobblers’ second success under Aidy Boothroyd. They remain in the bottom two, three points from safety, but have two games in hand on Hereford and Plymouth above them.
Macclesfield boss Gary Simpson is coming under pressure at Moss Rose after seven consecutive defeats. The manager had attracted admiring glances from elsewhere earlier in the season but the tables have turned as the Silkmen slip into trouble. They now sit 20th, six points from the drop zone.
Boothroyd will fancy his side’s chances on Tuesday, particularly after their extended break and the hosts’ freshness should see them through.
Verdict: Northampton 2-0 Macclesfield
Northampton to win by two goals at 2/1
Oxford drew for the 11th time this season on Saturday as they were held to a goalless draw at Bristol Rovers. Although tough to beat, their dropped points see them precariously placed in the final play-off place, with a handful of clubs hot on their heels.
Barnet lost at the weekend for the first time in six league matches, as they were edged out by Shrewsbury at Underhill. But the Bees are a tougher proposition than they were in the early part of the campaign. Lawrie Sanchez’s men are unbeaten in three away from home.
The Bees were beaten 2-0 in the reverse fixture and while they should put up a better fight this time around they may not have quite enough.
Verdict: Oxford 2-1 Barnet
Swindon continued their march towards the top on Saturday with a victory at Hereford but it wasn’t as straightforward as many expected. However, the Robins have won seven on the bounce and have only been beaten once at home all season.
Shrewsbury put themselves right in the race for the title with a battling triumph at Barnet on Saturday. They are two points off the top after one defeat in seven. However, their away record is only the ninth-best in the division.
This is a crucial clash at the top but the Robins comfortably disposed of Crawley last week and they could repeat the trick here.
Verdict: Swindon 3-1 Shrewsbury
Swindon to win the first half at 17/11
Crawley v Morecambe (Wednesday 19:45)
Crawley were dumped out of the cup by Stoke on Sunday so it’s back to playing catch-up in League Two. They have three games in hand on some of their rivals but must bounce back from last Tuesday’s loss at Swindon. The Reds have won 11 of their 14 home league matches this term.
Morecambe’s form has deserted them in recent weeks; they have won twice in 14 to drop out of the play-off race. And their away record, which had been the envy of the division, now includes three defeats and six draws. The Shrimps took a point at Wimbledon on Saturday.
Jim Bentley’s men won the reverse fixture 6-0 but much has changed since then and the Sussex side should have the ammunition to take the points with something to spare.
Verdict: Crawley 3-1 Morecambe
Karl Hawley first scorer at 5/1
Henry Milward’s best bet:
Shaun Harrad to score at any time for Rotherham at 7/4
Click here for Mike Holden’s League Two betting preview (coming soon).
