Chesterfield
It was a miserable season for Chesterfield last term as they propped up the League One table after 46 games.
With previously prolific forwards Ched Evans, who has since moved back to Sheffield United, and Sylvan Ebanks-Blake on their books, the Spireites weren’t expected to struggle.
However, they did so in front of goal netting just 43 times – the third lowest total in the division.
Chesterfield also found wins hard to come by, securing three points just once in their remaining 10 matches.
Manager Gary Caldwell has already added seven players to his squad and is priced at 7/2 to take his side up at the first attempt.
The Glovers travel to Chesterfield on a Tuesday night in September.
Coventry City
Despite the misery of relegation, Coventry did pick up some silverware last season.
The Midlands outfit were winners of the Checkatrade Trophy – a rare bit of success in an otherwise disappointing year.
With a lot of off-field problems, the Sky Blues played a host of youngsters in the league but couldn’t avoid the drop under Tony Mowbray’s guidance.
Coventry were in the Premier League 16 years ago and haven’t been in the bottom tier of English football since 1959.
Yeovil welcome Coventry to Huish Park in the first month of the season.
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Forest Green Rovers
It will be the first league meeting between Town and Forest Green for the first time since New Year’s Day 2003 when the two sides go head-to-head on August, 19th.
The Glovers were victorious that day thanks to a solitary goal from Kirk Jackson and went on to secure the Conference title.
Forest Green finished ninth that year and remained non-league up until their promotion last season.
Mark Cooper’s side defeated Tranmere Rovers 3-1 in National League play-off final at Wembley to reach the EFL for the first time in their history.
Welshman Christian Doidge, who netted the Gloucestershire outfit’s second in the capital, was the club’s top scorer with 27 goals which has prompted interest from Sky Bet League One side Oxford United.
Lincoln City
National League champions Lincoln won 30 league matches to win their first title since 1988.
The Imps scored 83 goals and collected 99 points to end their six-year absence from League Two.
Their fantastic league campaign coincided with a brilliant run in the Emirates FA Cup where they defeated three EFL sides.
Oldham Athletic, Ipswich Town and Premier League Burnley all succumbed to Lincoln’s giant-killing prowess before Danny Cowley’s side proved a stubborn test for Arsenal in the quarter-finals.
Town will host Lincoln on December 9th before visiting them on the final day of the season.
Port Vale
A last day draw at Fleetwood Town wasn’t enough for Port Vale to avoid relegation.
The Vailants will lament five consecutive losses in April, which significant;y contributed to their downfall.
Similarly to Chesterfield, goals proved a tough ask with Vale only scoring 18 goals in the second part of the season and didn’t have a single player in double figures.
Since the end of the season, Chairman Norman Smurthwaite resigned after stating he “seriously damaged the club” while Michael Brown has taken over as manager on a permanent basis.
Town’s first game against Vale is on January 13th 2018 at Vale Park.
Swindon Town
Swindon were one game away from reaching the Championship two years ago– next season they will compete in League Two.
Head Coach Luke Williams was supposedly not in control of transfers and his team selections were rumoured to be influenced by Chairman Lee Power and director of football Tim Sherwood.
The Robins have since parted company with both and will be marshalled by David Flitcroft.
Like Chesterfield, Coventry and Port Vale, Town haven’t played Swindon since the 2014/15 League One season.
Swindon won League Two in 2012 and are 12/1 to win it this time round.
