Two teams that will be focusing on survival first and foremost in League Two this season meet at Rodney Parade in Saturday's early kick-off as Newport County host Rochdale.
The Exiles did just enough to avoid the drop from League Two last season under former boss Christian Fuchs as they finished three places and three points above 23rd-placed Harrogate Town.
Dale failed to earn automatic promotion as National League champions in a dramatic finish against York City, but regrouped and earned promotion via the play-offs.
Both teams are now under new management with Hayden Mullins in the dugout at Newport after Fuchs' resignation, while Ian Watson is at the helm at Rochdale after Jim McNulty left for Stockport County.
Newport County v Rochdale Tips Summary
Best Bet - Draw @ 12/5
Alternative Bet - Both teams to score @ 4/5
Bet Builder - Zain Silcott-Duberry to score, Most goals in 2nd half @ 7/1
Newport County v Rochdale Prediction
Best Bet: Draw @ 12/5
Neither Newport nor Rochdale have enjoyed stress-free preparation for the new campaign and that should be reflected in Saturday's final score.
Newport had hoped to kick on under Fuchs, only for the Austrian to step down in June.
Mullins is in his second full-time managerial job and he will need to learn on the job at a club that struggled to move away from the relegation zone throughout last season.
Rochdale have also hired Watson, who was previously coaching at South Shields, so he too has been thrown in at the deep end.
Both clubs have sold key players since the end of last season and neither coach will want to start the campaign on the wrong foot. With both squads needing to settle down in the first few weeks of the season, the draw looks good value this weekend.
Newport only won one of their pre-season games, while Rochdale have yet to win under Watson, so it is tough to see either side edging proceedings.
Alternative Bet: Both teams to score @ 4/5
Newport did all they could to get their squad ready for the new season as they played in eight pre-season friendlies ahead of their EFL Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon.
They scored 14 goals in pre-season and netted against Wimbledon, and home advantage should help them settle down in the final third.
Newport County scored 24 goals in 23 matches at home last season and they will expect to test their newly-promoted opponents.
Rochdale won 50 points on the road last season, netting 40 goals, and while the step up to League Two is going to challenge them, they have also caught the eye in pre-season.
The Dale scored seven in four warm-up games, before scoring two against Tranmere in their preliminary EFL Cup tie.
Both teams have made numerous changes to their squads and an open game is expected as a result.
Newport County v Rochdale Bet Builder Tip
Zain Silcott-Duberry to score
Most goals in 2nd half
Pays @ 7/1
Zain Silcott-Duberry is looking to finally settle down as a professional and he looks to have already found his rhythm.
The 21-year-old netted against Tranmere and has one goal in two appearances and he has the pace and trickery to trouble the Newport defence.
He has spent time with Bournemouth, Olympiacos and Sheffield Wednesday and has the pedigree to start the campaign on a high.
As we have already discussed, both managers are going to need time to settle in this season and they will look to send their teams out to defend in the opening exchanges.
With that in mind, there's some good value to be had by backing most goals to be scored in the second half.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
Newport County won only one of their eight pre-season friendlies
The hosts won only six of their 23 home matches last season
Rochdale secured 50 points in 23 National League away fixtures last season
Rochdale have yet to win a game under new manager Ian Watson
The Dale have scored nine goals in six matches under Watson
Zain Silcott-Duberry has scored one goal in two appearances for Rochdale this season
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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.
