Both Accrington Stanley and Cheltenham Town had underwhelming seasons in League Two last year, but it is the Robins who have made the better start this term and they will be confident they can get something out of their trip to Lancashire on Saturday.
Cheltenham have lost just once this term as they sit second in the League Two table behind Barnet on goal difference and their expectations have to exceed the 18th spot they achieved in May.
For Stanley, who were a point ahead of them in the final shake-up, progress has been a lot slower with a solitary win posted in their opening eight matches, so there is clearly work to do if they are to push themselves into the top half of the table.
Accrington Stanley v Cheltenham Town Tips Summary
Best Bet - Over 3.5 goals @ 7/4
Alternative Bet - Charlie McCann to score at any time @ 13/5
Bet Builder - Cheltenham to win, both teams to score and over 0.5 first-half goals @ 25/4
Accrington Stanley v Cheltenham Town Prediction
Best Bet: Over 3.5 goals @ 7/4
Accrington will be desperate to improve a record that has seen them win just one game this season and that should ensure they are positive when Cheltenham come to town on Saturday.
Stanley face a team who have scored at least twice in five of their last six games and all the ingredients are there for an entertaining encounter at the Crown Ground.
While Cheltenham have had a strong start, they are yet to keep a clean sheet this season and there have been four or more goals in half of the fixtures these two teams have played this term.
Alternative Bet: Charlie McCann to score at any time @ 13/5
No League Two player has netted more goals this season than Cheltenham midfielder Charlie McCann and there looks a strong chance he can add to his tally of seven at the Crown Ground.
McCann has scored in six of the Robins’ eight league games this season and there have been four occasions in the last six matches when he has had at least three shots on goal.
The 24-year-old’s confidence is plainly sky high and he can make his mark again in Saturday’s clash.
Accrington Stanley v Cheltenham Town Bet Builder Tip
Cheltenham to win
Both teams to score
Over 0.5 first-half goals
Pays 25/4
Accrington has not been a happy hunting ground for Cheltenham in recent seasons as they have won on just one of their last 10 visits to the Crown Ground, but they should be able to improve upon that on Saturday.
Their hosts are unbeaten at home but three of their four games on their own patch have finished level so there is little inspiration to back a team with one win in their last 10 league games.
But while the Robins look likely to come away with the points, an illusive first clean sheet of the season could still be beyond them.
Both teams have scored in each of Cheltenham’s last nine league games and Accrington’s goalless draw with Newport County in their most recent home match was the first occasion in 12 outings that they managed to keep their opponents at bay.
And goals can be expected to arrive before half-time. Just nine of the 25 goals in Accrington’s matches have been scored after the interval and Cheltenham have been involved in just one game that had a goalless first half all season.
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Key Match Stats
Both teams have scored in Cheltenham’s last nine League Two matches
Accrington have won just one of their last 10 league games
There have been at least three goals in six of Cheltenham’s last eight league away outings
Cheltenham have won on only one of their last 10 visits to the Crown Ground
Stanley have kept one clean sheet in their last 14 League Two matches
The home side have conceded at least twice in 12 of their last 14 league encounters
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
