Latest League Two Odds: Bromley Cling On

After another interesting weekend of League Two action, we’re back for another Odds Watch piece. From assessing the changes at the top to looking at those in danger of the drop, we’ll cover everything after the weekend’s action. 

Let's dive in.

Bromley Cling On... For Now

Bromley’s struggles at the top of League Two are noticeable, yet they are still in position to head to League One as champions. Their most recent loss came this weekend, when they fell to a relegation-threatened Barrow side.

It is not the end of the world for them and with three wins in a row before this weekend, they are still quite safe. This is thanks to the five-point gap which they have built up.

However, their position would look a lot less comfortable had others around them put up some proper competition.

For example, MK Dons would be the league leaders currently had they won their past two games against Salford and Barnet. Both are fighting for play-off places, but given the expectations on the Dons, it is strange.

Having not lost since the start of January, the recent double has come like London buses. Given that they have now dropped two wins in quick succession.

As a result, their position in the title race looks much less secure. But the bookmakers have not written them off, with them still backable below 3/1 with the top football options.

The race for the final spot in the top three is fantastic, and both teams competing could end up taking spots currently.

After their win at the weekend, Notts County have moved into third. A comfortable 2-0 win against Harrogate away from home is not special by any means. However, they got the job done and are firmly in the race for an automatic spot.

Yet, the bookmakers are not as keen on their chances, given they are still priced at 13/8 by William Hill. Instead, the preference is for Cambridge United, who were unable to beat a play-off contender in Barnet. The hosts grabbed a 1-0 win, with the U’s not contesting as they failed to register a big chance in the game.

Despite this, they are still preferred in the odds, thanks to the fact that they have a game in hand over their promotion rivals. Though it is against Grimsby Town, so it is not a given that they will pick up three points…

As a sidenote, BetMGM are offering 4/5 for the Magpies to get a top four spot. Considering they have a three-point gap to fifth, it could be a snippet of value in the late-season outright markets.

A Late Push?

If the title race and the one for automatic promotion are exciting, the play-off battle takes it up a notch. There are 10 points between fifth-placed Swindon and 12th-placed Barnet. In other words, it is all too close to be completely called.

Swindon have picked up a little bit recently, winning twice before drawing this weekend. They are far from consistent, but the recent results are slightly better than what came before. Now it is a case of keeping it up.

On the other hand, Salford are in fine form, winning four of their last five. What is most impressive is this weekend’s win, given they beat the title-chasing MK Dons side. They have only dropped points twice since February - losing to Grimsby and Cambridge - so they are in a fantastic place.

Taking the final spot in the top six is Crewe, but they are hanging in there by the skin of their teeth. They have only won two of their last five and sit a point ahead of Grimsby and Chesterfield. Both have a game (or two in Grimsby’s case) in hand, so they are in a much stronger place.

Had 10th-placed Oldham not lost to the Alex this weekend, you’d also suggest that they were in a great spot, having won eight of their last nine before. Even then, they have a game in hand. So, they could still make a play-off surge.

Facing five of the bottom 11 in the next seven games, you’d think that they have a great shot at a play-off place and Unibet’s offering of 19/5 for a top seven finish could be worth taking.

In our last Odds Watch, they were 7/1 for a play-off place; who says we don't find a bit of value here?

Two Doomed?

It seems that Harrogate’s season may be done at this point with their latest loss, if it wasn’t already. There is no shame in losing to a promotion-chasing Notts County side. However, they have a four-point gap to overturn to stay up.

They face three play-off chasing sides in their last six games, whilst also having a big six-pointer against Newport County. It isn’t impossible, but there is a reason that bookmakers have them at 1/6 for relegation this season.

Despite their win against the league leaders, Barrow sit in 23rd. They sit two points away from Newport, so it is far from an impossible mission, and they will face off in the final game of the season.

That could be a corker if things do not change from their current situation.

I feel that Newport and Crawley are the only two teams in potential danger of the drop, even with the poor form above them. Both sit on 34 points - so two points away from 23rd - but wins for both this weekend have kept them safe for now.

For 21st-placed Crawley, it was a convincing 2-0 win against Gillingham, while Newport grabbed a big result against Shrewsbury, who are probably safe now.

Paddy Power have the former at 5/1 for a League Two position next season and they are also offering 9/4 for Newport’s safety, too. In other words, the bottom two may be as good as gone.