Bristol Rovers v Grimsby
From BBC
Bristol Rovers manager Paul Trollope is likely to make big changes, after his team lost both of their opening games in League Two.
However, the only unavailable squad member is Robbie Ryan, who has been out since November with an ankle injury.
Grimsby Town boss Graham Rodger is also expected to make changes, after his side lost 3-0 to Wrexham on Tuesday.
Like Rovers, Town have only one absentee in striker Gary Cohen, who recently underwent knee surgery.
------------------------------------------------------------
Bristol Rovers are having a nightmare start of the new season, losing both of their openning fixtures against Peterboro / away / and Wycombe / home /. Tipped as a promotion contender again the Rovers started in the worst possible manner and must pick up fast before its too late. The game against Grimsby is crucial. It may still be too early in the season, but this game is a must win for the Pirates as they need to bounce back as quick as possible.
Grimsby changed to worse IMO during the summer, losing their manager and some players too. And I definetely rate them lower than last year. On the opening day The mariners were 2 goals behind at home only to make an amazing turn back and win the game with Boston 3-2. Tuesday night they had a trip to Wrexham and lost heavily 3-0. The defense is their main problem so far, letting 5 goals in 2 games and underperforming big time in their both games.
Bristol are having huge defensive probles too, so I think there may be some goals in this game. Manager Trollope was furious with the way Bristol played and declared that anyone who lacks concentration and isnt giving 100% of him in the next few games will not be given another chance.
The attack is underperforming as well and their main weapon Agogo should find his way back to scoring for the game with Grimsby. Transfer target for several club he was kept at Bristol only because they desperately need his goals to fight for a play off position. So I think he will be fired up for this one.
Grimsby manager is expected to do some changes in the team for this game after the terrible game at Wrexham. They still have a pretty strong squad, but its obvious that are still long way from hiiting form. Same goes for Bristol Rovers. So in a game with 2 teams in bad shape I will go for the Rovers. They surely posses the venom in attack to hurt the shaky Grimsby defense and judging by their own defensive problems they will have simply to outscore them and will win this game. And I think they will do. They won their last 2 games with Grimsby / 1 league and 1 cup /, so its not mission impossible. Grimsby had a great away record last year, but IMO this will not be the case this season. And we saw the signs of it in the game at Wrexham.
Small stakes only as that game has nothing to do with the so called “sure wins”.
Bristol Rovers 4/10 @2.45 BET1128, 2.30 - average price at the mo and seems OK to me
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bury v Shrewsbury
From BBC
Matthew Tipton is Bury manager Chris Casper's only injury concern. The striker is out with a groin strain, and will be unavailable for several weeks.
Casper is likely to make changes after the 3-1 defeat by Chester on Tuesday.
Shrewsbury's Stuart Drummond twisted his ankle in their 1-1 draw at Notts County on Tuesday, and Andy Cooke is injured with a broken toe.
Steve Hogg only recently resumed training, and so will not be ready. Glynn Hurst (Achilles) is also out.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bury is another team with a bad start, which catches my attention. Starting with 2 losses now they have the chance to earn their first points this season with another home fixture. They were unlucky enough to lose away at MK Dons in a game they dominated being with a man more at the pitch after Dons goalie was sent off early in the game. Had numerous chances to score but the new striker partnership in the faces of Andy Bishop and Pittman, who is on loan from Forest, failed to work in that game. Now with 2 games behind them I expect Bury attack finally to start scoring. Bishop netted 24 goals last season in the Conference and Pittman surely has the pace and speed. He even scored his first goal last game, so this might be the beginning of an exciting partnership in attack.
Shrewsbury started with 2 draws away at Notts Co and home to Mansfield. They were rather poor travellers last season and depended much on their home form. Bury didn’t lose in their last 4 games with Shrewsbury, winning 2 of them. Shrews didn’t even score a goal in their last 3 games with Bury so we can fully agree that Bury are a bogey team in recent few years.
Still Shrewsbury is not a bad team and I am a bit afraid of their new signing in attack – Asamoah, but IMO Bury having a good attack will sonn start converting chances into goals and hopefully they can do it this Saturday. Not impressed with Shrewsbury so far so perhaps it’s the right moment for Bury to win their first game this season.
Small bet again as it will not be that easy for Bury, but IMO they have all the chances to win this game.
Bury 4/10 @ 2.50 BET1128, 2.40 average price, OK for me
---------------------------------------------------------------------
both games are tricky, but I am ready to take this risk as both teams are underperforming at the moment and could only improve. Those, who prefer not to risk better not take these bets
