Latest League Two Odds: Shocks at Both Ends of the Table

League Two action has officially returned and after the conclusion of the first weekend, let's take a look at the movement of the odds and how teams fared.

Favourites Hammered on Opening Day

The League Two title race has been an interesting one to watch, at least in terms of the odds available. All summer, the market has been convinced about one team, but the opening day showed that maybe those hopes should've been placed elsewhere.

Salford Open With Defeat to Barnet

The team in question were Salford City, available pretty much across the board at 6/1, they have been the market's choice for the league title. Yet, they did not get off to a good start.

It brings back memories of MK Dons last season, who started poorly after being heavily backed by the market.

A 3-1 defeat to Barnet is a statement result and whilst they're not done already, some may have second thoughts about backing them to win the league this season...

For what it's worth, Barnet had been heavily backed too before the season began and that result has now made them a 7/1 fancy for punters in League Two. They were dominant on Saturday against one of the best teams in the division.

So, if they can do that against the lesser teams, too, they won't be too far off the top at the end of the season.

Grimsby Get It Done on Matchday One

The third favourites for the title, at least as it stands, are Grimsby Town at 10/1 and they certainly didn't see as much entertainment in their game. However, getting a 1-0 win does the same thing as a 3-1 win. It gives you three points.

It's about getting the job done in League Two. So the Mariners starting with this result against an Exeter side who have just been relegated to the fourth division is a very good result.

Interesting Results for the Play-Off Challengers

It's early in the season, so things can still change very quickly. However, this section for now at least will be based on a mix of odds and our predictions at the start of the season.

Of course, that'll change as things progress a little more in the season!

York Outdo Bristol Rovers on Day One

When looking at outright bets, many people had Bristol Rovers finishing quite high and certainly above York City - as did I. However, they will have been left a little disappointed by their start to the season.

Indeed, their opener against York was a chance to prove themselves as a team that will be at the top end of the division. Now, you can certainly suggest that that they did, scoring twice.

However, losing 3-2 to a side that has just come up from the National League is not the best look.

The scoreline tells about the right story, with both sides having a fair number of chances each. So, I wouldn't get too carried away. Yet, you can certainly have hoped to see more.

Both are backable below Evens for a top seven spot at the end of the season, so there's not been too much of a reaction to the defeat.

Chesterfield and Port Vale Fail to Impress

On the first day of the division, we were also expecting quite a lot from both Chesterfield and Port Vale, who felt like obvious picks for a top seven spot each. Yet, neither turned up.

Starting with the Spireites, a 1-0 defeat to Fleetwood Town at home is a pretty poor result. It was a pretty even game, so you could argue that they were maybe a little unlucky to not get a point.

But it's not a great opening to a League Two campaign where hopes are so high...

Then, the Valiants were far from great themselves. Most expected them to impress this season after ending their stay in League One in decent enough form.

However, their return to the second tier was not exactly brilliant, with them deservedly beaten by two goals to nil against Oldham.

Some interest has been had in them before the season begun - I have them sitting in eighth at the end of the season - and their price certainly looks ok based on MD1.

At 6/4, they are maybe still a backable enough price currently and if they continue on this path, they'll likely be sitting at least a place higher than I expected.

Shocks at the bottom (or the top)

Finally, let's take a look at one of the most interesting relegation battles in European football: the League Two bottom two.

How Did You Get There, Newport?

Before the season, Newport County were the favourites to get relegated. On Monday morning, after the fixtures, Newport County are the favourites to be relegated at 5/2.

There's just one small thing to take note of.

NEWPORT COUNTY SIT AT THE TOP OF LEAGUE TWO!

We must be slightly mindful about the fact that they've beaten a newly promoted Rochdale side who finished the game with 10 men. But still, it's a huge result for Newport and maybe a sign to look elsewhere...

Rochdale are as high as 10/1 to return to the National League at the end of the season... maybe that needs to be the price to look at from this game, not Newport's.

CraWWEley Town

After Newport's success, the market would've been very interesting with a big result from Crawley. However, it wasn't to be, with them beaten by Crewe in a thriller.

If you went for a football game, you'd perhaps be disappointed with only a goal. However, if you went for entertainment, one goal and three red cards may well be enough.

It's not a great start for a Crawley side who did a lot of work in the summer. Maybe the fact that they only conceded once is something to take positives in. Either way, not brilliant.

Back to Back for Exeter?

We've already touched on Exeter's defeat to Grimsby. However, it's seen them drop even further in the relegation rankings and they sit currently as the fourth most likely to go down.

An opening day defeat to the Mariners is not too problematic. However, they looked a way off a side who had just come down. It could quickly become a problem...

9/2 for them to go down after the first weekend isn't a good sign at all.