We look ahead to the midweek action in Sky Bet League 2
Tuesday 19th August 2014Burton Albion v Exeter City
The Brewers: One of five teams in Sky Bet League 2 with a 100 per cent record, after wins against Oxford and Dagenham. Saturday’s two-goal hero Billy Kee joined Scunthorpe United on Monday.
The Grecians: Lost 3-0 to Plymouth Argyle in the Devon derby at the weekend, after opening-day draw with Portsmouth. New striker Graham Cummins could be handed first start.
Tough trip: Exeter have only won one of their seven matches away at Burton and that came in the first ever meeting between the two, in October 2003.
Cheltenham Town v Carlisle United
The Robins: Mark Yates’ men are another team with six points from a possible six, thanks to wins against Bury and Accrington Stanley.
The Cumbrians: Haven’t adjusted well to life back in Sky Bet League 2 after two defeats. Without a win on the road since mid-February.
Five-all: It’s 5-5 in the league head-to-head record between Cheltenham and Carlisle. The last meeting ended 1-1 – the sixth league draw between the two.
Hartlepool United v Dagenham and Redbridge
Pools: Have suffered two defeats from two and are still yet to score. Boss Colin Cooper admitted his side weren’t good enough in their 2-0 defeat to Bury on Saturday.
The Daggers: Also yet to register a point. Were 1-0 up at Burton on Saturday before losing 2-1 – a frustrating result, according to first team coach Warren Hackett.
Double: Pools completed the double over Dagenham last term, winning 2-1 at home before a 2-0 away victory.
Luton Town v Bury
The Hatters: John Still’s men will be desperate to secure a first home win back in The League, after a 1-0 loss at Kenilworth Road against AFC Wimbledon on Saturday. They are off the mark, though, after beating Carlisle on the first day.
The Shakers: Responded to their opening-day defeat by winning 2-0 at Hartlepool. Will be boosted by the news that Danny Rose – a goalscorer on Saturday – has signed a permanent deal with the club.
Three on the bounce: The visiting team has won this fixture 2-1 on the last three occasions.
Mansfield Town v Newport County
The Stags: Won 2-1 against Oxford at the weekend to get off the mark. Lost striker Liam Hearn to injury until Christmas, but big front man Matt Rhead is back from suspension.
The Exiles: Let a two-goal lead slip at Morecambe on Saturday to lose 3-2 and prolong their wait for their first points of the season. Manager Justin Edinburgh has called for his experienced players to step up against the Stags.
Third time lucky: This will be just the third clash between Mansfield and Newport in The Football League. The first meeting, last September, ended 1-1 before Mansfield won the reverse game 2-1.
Morecambe v Oxford United
The Shrimps: Sit top of the pile after two wins in two. Kevin Ellison was their hero on Saturday, scoring two, to be named in The Football League Team of the Week.
The U’s: Yet to get off the mark, with defeats to Burton and Mansfield. Head coach Michael Appleton is looking for a reaction after their loss to the Stags.
Just the one: Morecambe have only got the better of Oxford once in their 11 meetings and that occurred in March 2012 at the Kassam Stadium.
Plymouth Argyle v Stevenage
The Pilgrims: Will be buoyed after 3-0 Devon derby victory against Exeter which got them off the mark. The wind will be in their sails.
Boro: Lost 2-0 to Southend on Saturday following a win on the first day. Ex-Plymouth captain Simon Walton is set to play against his former club.
A first: This will be the first ever meeting between Plymouth and Stevenage.
Portsmouth v Northampton Town
Pompey: Four points on the board after a weekend win at home to Cambridge. Unbeaten in nine overall, stretching back to last term.
The Cobblers: Also on four points after a draw with York. Were one of the form teams alongside Portsmouth at the end of last term, but Pompey were the last team to beat Chris Wilder’s men, on 21st April.
Nine without loss against the Cobblers: Portsmouth are undefeated in nine against Northampton, winning eight.
Shrewsbury Town v Accrington Stanley
The Shrews: Rescued three points against Tranmere at the weekend, despite being 1-0 behind going into injury time. That has put them on four points. Manager Micky Mellon is expecting another tough test.
Stanley: Left Cheltenham point-less after 2-1 defeat on Saturday, in which they missed a last-gasp penalty. Also lost on the opening day. Adam Buxton was substituted and Whaddon Road and is a doubt.
Look out for: The two James. Accrington’s James Gray has two goals so far this term, as does Shrewsbury’s James Collins.
Southend United v AFC Wimbledon
The Blues: Two wins from two and two clean sheets to go with it represents a positive start for Southend. Goalkeeper Dan Bentley is looking to match last season’s start, when they won their first three without conceding.
The Dons: Picked up an impressive win at Luton on Saturday after a 2-2 draw on the first day. Despite their good start, manager Neal Ardley is still learning about his squad. http://www.afcwimbledon.co.uk/news/article/neal-on-southend-1837980.aspx
Just the one: Both games last season between Southend and Wimbledon were settled by single goals. Cauley Woodrow gave the Blues an away win on Boxing Day before Jack Midson scored the only goal of the game at Roots Hall for a Dons victory in April.
Wycombe Wanderers v Tranmere Rovers
The Chairboys: Two wins from two has got Gareth Ainsworth’s team off to the perfect start, after final-day survival last season. They have momentum.
Rovers: Tranmere have just one point to show from their opening two outings but they were minutes from victory on Saturday, going down to two injury-time strikes against Shrewsbury. Signed Aston Villa defender Janoi Donacien on loan on Monday.
Head-to-head: Tranmere have the upper hand in the record books against Wycombe with six wins compared to the Chairboys’ three. Only one clash between the two has ended level.
York City v Cambridge United
The Minstermen: Two games, two draws – that’s the start last season’s Play-Off Semi-Finalists have endured. They came within minutes of beating Northampton on Saturday only to concede late on and draw 1-1.
The U’s: Cambridge have one more point than the Minstermen, with one victory and one defeat. They last won at York in 2007.
We meet again: York and Cambridge haven’t met in The League since 2004. Since then, they've met 14 times in the Conference Premier.