Newport County had been written off as League Two relegation certainties before a ball was even kicked this season, but the Exiles head into Saturday's trip to Bristol Rovers with a spring in their step.
It was a summer of upheaval for Newport, who saw Christian Fuchs depart as manager, with former West Ham United midfielder Hayden Mullins only being appointed as his successor days before the new season got underway.
Having flirted with relegation in each of the last two seasons, Newport were tipped as many people's favourites to drop out of League Two in 2026/27 but they certainly haven't started like a team set to struggle.
Mullins' men were edged out by League One AFC Wimbledon on penalties in the first round of the EFL Cup before claiming a dominant 3-0 victory over newly-promoted Rochdale in their League Two opener.
By contrast, Bristol Rovers are seen by many as promotion contenders after ending last season like a steam train under the experienced Steve Evans, but after exiting the cup to Peterborough United, they were then beaten in their league curtain raiser 3-2 at York City.
Evans will be seeking a response from his side at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday, while Newport will be looking to continue to prove their doubters wrong.
Bristol Rovers v Newport County Tips Summary
Best Bet - Newport or Draw Double Chance @ 6/5
Alternative Bet - Bobby Kamwa anytime scorer @ 15/8
Bet Builder - Both teams to score, Over 2 goals & Kyle Cameron anytime scorer @ 16/1
Bristol Rovers v Newport County Prediction
Best Bet: Newport or Draw Double Chance @ 6/5
Even the most optimistic of Newport supporters would not have expected their side to open the league campaign with such a dominant victory over a Rochdale team that accumulated 106 points on their way to promotion from the National League last season.
Not only did the Exiles win but they bossed the match in terms of shots (12-5), shots on target (6-0) and corners won (9-6) all despite only having 32.8% possession.
Despite that performance, Newport are still the 9/4 favourites to be relegated from League Two and they may still struggle, but there is certainly value in siding with them to continue their positive start against a Bristol Rovers side yet to get out of the blocks.
The Gas are among the promotion favourites - thanks largely to winning eight and losing none of their final nine games of last season - but they are yet to get going and were second best in their defeat at York.
The general consensus remains that Bristol Rovers will be competing for promotion and Newport will be in a battle to survive, but at this early stage in the season, with the prices as they are, there is value in backing the visitors to avoid defeat in the West Country.
Alternative Bet: Bobby Kamwa anytime scorer @ 15/8
Manager Fuchs was not the only key departure from Newport over the summer, with influential winger Bobby Kamwa rejecting the offer of a new contract and instead opting to join, of all teams, Bristol Rovers.
Kamwa scored 14 goals across his two seasons at Rodney Parade and although he has been limited to two substitute appearances since joining Bristol Rovers, he may be handed his chance from the off in this game given his new side have lost both of those matches.
A pacey and dangerous winger, who Newport know only too well, Kamwa could well come back to haunt his former club, even if the match does not ultimately end in his new side's favour.
Bristol Rovers v Newport County Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score
Over 2 goals
Kyle Cameron anytime scorer
Pays 16/1
With Newport having been tipped to avoid defeat in a match where Kamwa scores for Bristol Rovers, it makes sense to start this Bet Builder by backing both teams to score in a match that features a minimum of two goals.
The Exiles underlined their attacking qualities with their three goals against Rochdale, while the Gas have scored in each of their last 10 league games, including the two they notched in defeat at York.
The selection that adds real juice to this Bet Builder is to side with Newport defender Kyle Cameron to find the back of the net, just as he did on his league debut for the club against Rochdale.
Cameron also netted on his penultimate appearance for former club Bromley at the back end of last season and could be an outside shout to continue his hot streak in front of goal.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Relegation favourites Newport opened the new League Two season with a 3-0 win over Rochdale
Bristol Rovers have started with back-to-back defeats to Peterborough in the EFL Cup and York in the league
The Gas ended last season by winning eight and losing none of their final nine games
Rovers also did the double over Newport last season, following up a 3-2 away win with a 3-0 success on home soil
Newport's last win over Bristol Rovers was a 1-0 home success in March 2022
Exiles defender Kyle Cameron has scored in two of his last three appearances in League Two
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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.
