Ipswich Town v Bolton Wanderers

In what could go on to become a top-of-the-table clash this season, Ipswich Town begin their promotion bid by hosting Bolton Wanderers. The Tractor Boys had the fourth-best defence in the third tier last season, despite being very leaky under Paul Cook, such was their improvement in the second half of the campaign after Kieran McKenna arrived in Suffolk. 

There has been far less chopping & changing at Portman Road this summer, the club have gone for quality over quantity, with Marcus Harness coming in from Portsmouth, as potentially the only newcomer who will start on Saturday. The reliable back three of Janoi Donacien, George Edmundson and Luke Woolfenden are all available, backed up by one of the best goalkeepers outside of the Premier League in Christian Walton.

A point may be an acceptable result for both sides, and the Trotters will fancy their chances after taking six points off of the Tractor Boys last season to an aggregate score of 7-2. There is a chance that these two cancel each other out on the opening day, after Bolton finished last term very strongly as well, and have not invested in wholesale changes this summer following a very successful January 2022 window.

Ipswich’s outstanding defensive process will give them the best chance of picking up three points.

---

Lincoln City v Exeter City

Exeter City have finally kicked off their summer transfer business in the last few days, signing Jamal Blackman and Kegs Chauke. The former is an experienced journeyman goalkeeper, though still only 28, who has signed a one-year deal with the club in the hope that he can impress and move on to a higher place next season. 

The Grecians will arrive at Sincil Bank with some early season optimism after ending a ten-season stint in League Two with automatic promotion last term. In Timothee Dieng and Archie Collins they have a central midfield duo capable of making the step up a division, while Matt Jay and Jevani Brown will be a handful for defences playing off of Sam Nombe. Nombe was in and out with injuries last term, but still managed ten goals in 21 starts in the FA Cup and league combined.

Lincoln have replaced Michael Appleton with Mark Kennedy this summer, the 46-year-old has just one previous senior management job on his CV and therefore a transition period could be expected for the Imps. They underwhelmed last term with a 17th-placed finish, but they do have the attacking talent to punch their way up, with both teams to score a potential angle into this one. 

However, with an Imps side plagued by inconsistency welcoming the Grecians who know exactly what they are about under Matt Taylor, it is a tricky start to the campaign. It is also difficult to argue that the Imps’ squad is stronger than it was at the back end of last season, where the visitors have retained their key players.

---

Morecambe v Shrewsbury Town

It is hard to see Cole Stockton coming up with the 26 goals he chipped in for Morecambe last season again, and with a defence-first manager like Derek Adams, the Shrimps may not be the best team for neutral observers this season. Farrend Rawson, Donald Love and Max Melbourne have all come in to strengthen the rearguard and Aaron Wildig’s exit could dent their creativity. 

Shrewsbury Town had the joint-sixth best defensive record in League One last season, and have solidified their defensive midfield and centre-back ranks with Tom Bayliss, Chey Dunkley and Taylor Moore this summer. Daniel Udoh, Ryan Bowman and Aiden O’Brien is a good but uninspiring attacking contingent for the Shrews, with the latter not reliable fitness-wise of late.

The supporters will be right behind Adams and the team at the Mazuma Stadium, but they may run out of ideas against a well-drilled and organised defensive unit, like that of Steve Cotterill’s men. The Shrimps started last season quickly, and it ultimately saved them from relegation, they will be hoping to do so again, but the visitors’ solid defensive process sees the Shrews take the favourites tag on their travels.

---

---

Sheffield Wednesday v Portsmouth

Sheffield Wednesday entered the 2021/22 League One play-offs as the favourites for promotion, losing out to Sunderland at the semi-final stage, and they are currently top of the market for the league title with the bookmakers. The Owls enjoyed an excellent last six months of the season after an up and down first few months of the campaign, but they have recruited well this summer, hence the favourites tag. 

Akin Famewo, Michael Ihiekwe, Will Vaulks and Michael Smith all jump off the page as marquee signings, they have also added further legs in midfield to accommodate Barry Bannan’s quality and ability to dictate play at this level.

Portsmouth lost 4-1 at Hillsborough Stadium in their final game of last season, and key players from last season Gavin Bazunu and Marcus Harness are no longer present in their ranks. The additions of Colby Bishop, Joe Pigott and Dane Scarlett provide hope in the final third, but they are unable to compete financially towards the top end of the division.

If Wednesday start the season like they finished last, when they went off 1.45 favourites v Pompey, there is some value in backing them at 1.75 with a stronger squad, now five substitutes are in play, at Moore’s disposal.

---

Accrington Stanley v Charlton Athletic

Accrington will be without Toby Savin, Rosaire Longelo and likely Michael Nottingham when they take on Ben Garner’s Charlton Athletic on Saturday afternoon. Ross Sykes and Colby Bishop will be sorely missed at The Crown Ground, and it is likely that Accy are unable to improve on their 12th placed finish from 2021/22 this time around. 

The Addicks have some fitness concerns of their own with Mandela Egbo ruled out with a knee injury, while new signings Conor McGrandles, Jack Payne and Steven Sessegnon are still getting up to speed. There is intense competition for places, particularly in central midfield areas for the South Londoners, and Corey Blackett-Taylor will run riot if given the space to do so by the Stanley backline. Charlton will be looking to play the ball out from the back as Garner alters their style of play, and in its infancy that could offer rewards for a well-executed high press from the hosts. 

With Charlie Kirk returning from his loan at Blackpool last season, Jayden Stockley leading the line and Scott Fraser offering a goal threat from midfield, this one could be very entertaining for the neutral. Garner’s Swindon Town were the top scorers in League Two last term, but were pegged back by their rearguard and only finished sixth. Opening day games can be cagey, but this one feels like it could be very open if the deadlock is broken early.

---

Cheltenham v Peterborough

Cheltenham may be in for something of a transition period after losing Michael Duff to Barnsley. Wade Elliott, who had previously been working at the club in a coaching capacity, has stepped up to the manager’s role, the first of his career. 

Mattie Pollock and Will Boyle are no longer in place in the backline, while Callum Wright has left the midfield after a successful loan spell last term.

Peterborough United are the visitors, a side among the favourites for promotion under Grant McCann, after the Northern Irishman led Hull City to the third tier title in 2020/21. The Posh finished 22nd in the Championship last season, but made some positive strides at the back end after McCann replaced Darren Ferguson. 

They have an attacking contingent that may be the envy of the rest of the division, with Jonson Clarke-Harris, Jack Marriott, David Ajiboye, Kwame Poku, Joel Randall and Sammie Szmodics preparing to wreak havoc in the third tier. Considering their attacking quality, and the potential impact of Duff’s exit at Cheltenham, there could be some value on the visitors. I will be cautious for the opening day, and keep two outcomes onside to avoid a loss.

---

Port Vale v Fleetwood

The Wembley memories will not have the minds of the Port Vale faithful as they head to Vale Park this weekend. A club spirit strengthened over the course of the season by matters away from the pitch ultimately led to a dominant display at the national stadium and a long awaited return to the third tier. Whilst some Vale fans might like to see their squad looking healthier ahead of opening day, particularly in forward areas, Darrell Clarke’s side will look to the core of last season’s promoted outfit, as well as new arrivals like Funso Ojo and Gavin Massey, to leave the Staffordshire club less reliant on James Wilson, Jamie Proctor and Ben Garrity for goals.

Opponents Fleetwood Town have work to do. Survival less year came with a record-low tally of just 40 points, the lowest needed to stay up in the third tier since three points for a win was introduced. New man in the dugout Scott Brown has been well-backed with signings including combative Colchester midfield Brendan Wiredu, Shrewsbury man Josh Vela and the very sprightly Callum Morton on a permanent deal from West Bromwich Albion.

Both teams are likely to be part of the bottom half of League One this season, which could well see them dragged into a battle to avoid the drop into the fourth tier. An opening day victory will never be a miss in a season where it feels like every point could matter, and with the mood still buoyant around Vale Park following promotion, the home crowd could give the Valiants the lift to compete with a side possessing promising attacking talent.

---

18+ please gamble responsibly.

---

Back the Four and Five Star Selections as an Accumulator on Betfair ⬇️

*Bet link only appears when accessing from mobile.

---

Haven’t got a Betfair account? You’re in luck…

Sign up to Betfair and get a full refund if your first bet loses. Grab an account through the offer below and place £20 on the 47/1 League One Best Bets Accumulator. Here are the two possible outcomes: