PRO PUNTER Dino Vita (@VitaDino) delivers his verdict on the ante-post Scottish League Two markets, picking out his best pre-season bets for the 2019/20 campaign.
WLB Season Preview 2019/20 | Scottish League Two
The new season is upon us and in League Two there is two sides making some real noise, signalling their ambitions for a serious promotion tilt.
Edinburgh City are the team to beat this season; the capital club led last term until March before eventually settling for third place. Peterhead and Clyde both gained promotion and personally I don’t think there is a side in the fourth-tier at the same standard in 2019/20.
City have strengthened again this season but their re-signing of top scorer Blair Henderson could be the signing of the summer. The big striker hit 30 league goals last time out and if he hits near that tally again Edinburgh will be surely be amongst the front-runners.
Cove arrive in League Two via the play-offs from the Highland League, and with an ambitious owner and the appointment of Paul Hartley as manager, the bookies have quickly installed the newcomers as favourites.
Cove are a bit of an unknown animal and I think they're too short to be backed for the title; sure, they won the Highland League at a canter the last few years, but this will be a big step up in class.
Below the leading contenders
Elsewhere, the main challenges could come from relegated duo Stenhousemuir and Brechin City, who will both be looking to bounce back at the first attempt. Meanwhile, Annan – who lost out to Clyde in the play-off final after an impressive season – will hope to feature, although bigger clubs have picked up their best available talent this summer and so I feel another play-off push could prove to be the peak of their powers.
One side that has caught my eye in pre-season is Cowdenbeath. Gary Bollan is an experienced boss at this level and has quietly gone about his business – if the Blue Brazil can start the campaign well, a play-off spot is a big possibility.
Albion pulled off a great escape last term to avoid the drop but I feel Berwick’s 20-match run without a victory aided their exploits. Rovers will know there’s no real relegation contenders along with them this time around and therefore a tough season ahead could be in store.
Elgin, Queen's Park and Stirling Albion make up the rest of the division and all three sides were rather middling in 2018/19. The trio will need to make major improvements to make a mark on the League Two ladder in the coming nine months.
Best Bets
Scottish League Two 2019/20 – Edinburgh City to win outright (9/2 Unibet)
Scottish League Two 2019/20 – Cowdenbeath to win outright (20/1 each-way Bet365)
Scottish League Two 2019/20 – Blair Henderson to be Top Goalscorer (3/1 McBookie)
Scottish League Two 2019/20 – Mitch Meggison to be Top Goalscorer (5/1 McBookie)
