Preview of games played on December 7th involviing the top 7 teams in L2

[les@donr]

Here is your chance to give your view on matches played by the top 7 teams. Say what you think is the ideal result for Rovers, and what you think is the realistic result based upon form.

Top game of the day, has to be the top two Port Vale v Wallsall. Ideal result for Rovers would be a draw. However, realistically given that Wallsall have a very good record at Vale Park, I would call this as an away win.
Barrow v Franchise. Franchise have yet to win at Barrow, saying that they have won their last 3 away games, have to go back to March 2022 for them to win 4 in a row away games. Ideal result for Rovers would be a draw, I got a feeling this will be a Franchise win.
Crewe v Bradford. Bradford are on a very poor run at the moment. Crewe not doing much better, but have a good home record versus Bradford. Ideally a draw or a Bradford win. Realistically, this has to be a Crewe win.
Notts County v Colchester. This is a tough one to call. On paper, you would expect a home win. However, Colchester have won 3 of their last 5 games, the other two were draws. Whereas, Notts have lost 3 of their last 5 games. Ideally a draw from a Rovers perspective, and I will also call it a draw.
Morecambe v Grimsby. Both have identically form records. 2 wins, 2 defeats, 1 draw. However, Grimsby have a poor record at Morecambe, winning just 1 of their past 8 games at Morecambe. Morecambe have failed to win any of their last 11 home games. Grimsby are unbeaten in their last 6 away games. Again a draw ideally for Rovers. I'm going to call this as an away win for Grimsby.

Last but not least. Rovers v Cheltenham. Rovers have won 3 of the past league games against Cheltenham, but having a 4-0 defeat at Cheltenham in March 2022. ouch! Our home form has stuttered, getting draws rather than wins, we are certainly better on the road. However, if Grant sets us up right, we should win this game with some ease. I'm predicting a 3-1 home win, with George Miller getting the consolation goals for Cheltenham.

Now over to you for your take on these games. In future I will do this thread earler in the week. My apologies for the late submission.

[drfchound]

Quite a bit of research there Les so well done on that.
In the week that Rovers got their first ever win at Fleetwood perhaps some other “firsts” will be on the cards.
Football is so hard to predict isn’t it.
The fact is, if we win today no other results can effect us in a negative way.
Que Sera Sera………

[Campsall rover]

Quite a bit of research there Les so well done on that.
In the week that Rovers got their first ever win at Fleetwood perhaps some other “firsts” will be on the cards.
Football is so hard to predict isn’t it.
The fact is, if we win today no other results can effect us in a negative way.
Que Sera Sera………

Yes we want as many draws as possible from top teams playing each other.
We can’t control other results. It’s what we do that counts. Get a win today and I will be happy whatever the other results turn out to be.
If we get 90 points possibly only 87 imo we will be Champions this season imo.
I will be surprised if any one else gets very near to 90 this season.

These next 2 home league games are big ones imo. Get our home form on track before the new year will I think set us for a very strong 2nd half of the season.
2 good signings in January and I can’t see us not winning this league. 

Seriously is there anyone else in this league with a squad as strong as ours. Yes it doesn’t guarantee success obviously but as injuries and suspensions start to bite for some clubs we are very well positioned to cope whereas some of the leading clubs are not as fortunate.

[karldew]

Game at Barrow called off!

Looks like Port Vale has been confirmed it’s going ahead.

[NigelJ]

Notts County near now off. All the other matches off (bar Crawley) are in the west and coastal, so not sure about these two.

[Campsall rover]

Notts C v Colchester now OFF

Hoping not but our game could be in jeopardy once the wind starts taking hold.
With gusts of 65 mph forecast this afternoon I am actually surprised so many games are still on.
Would be good to get another 3 points march on our rivals.
Points in the bag are always better than games in hand.

The weather makes it much more of a leveller though so like any game of course this game is not a given 3 points.

[Dutch Uncle]

Given our schedule, and some players must be tired, maybe not a disaster for us if it is called off.

I do hope it is not a late decision - but I am guessing Cheltenham fans will all be well on their way at the moment. I hope they all keep safe.

[NigelJ]

Further to the Notts County postponement:
X.com/official_NCFC

Not sure this was caused by the wind. Seems too 'clean'.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Hoping for wins for us and Walsall. Reel PV in and start a gap forming between top 3 and the rest (albeit some will have games in hand) as points in the bag are always better.

If it goes ahead today, guess it will be a lottery and about who makes the fewest mistakes.

[roversdude]

Hope our game is better than Vale v Walsall it’s shocking

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

Hope our game is better than Vale v Walsall it’s shocking

League 2 football is shit, we just enjoy ours because it's our team.

[graingrover]

Watching Port Vale first half .PV against wind and their keeper doing boomerang clearances .

[Metalmicky]

Hope our game is better than Vale v Walsall it’s shocking

League 2 football is shit, we just enjoy ours because it's our team.

You spelt endure wrong....

[RoversInSpain]

Bradford holding Crewe with 10 men a very decent result for us.
Win and we’re 2nd…..

[i_ateallthepies]

That isn't looking likely at HT

[les@donr]

My predictions were either close or accurate. The only one I got badly wrong was for our game. In future I will say, the head says….. the heart says….. Today I was going to say ideally a win, but realistically a draw given our home form.

[Usher wide.]

The bookies love all of this!