Morecambe manager Jim Bentley
Morecambe manager Jim Bentley

Free football betting tips and odds: Sky Bet League Two final day preview


Nick Hext brings you his selections for Saturday's final round of Sky Bet League Two matches, including the scrap to avoid relegation.

Check out Tom Carnduff's guide to all of the permutations at the end of the Sky Bet EFL season

Shrimps to make vital point

Coventry to draw with Morecambe (Saturday, 1500 BST)

The state of play is essentially the same for both Coventry and Morecambe on Saturday afternoon. A draw sees Coventry confirmed in the Sky Bet League Two play-offs and Morecambe avoid relegation to the Vanarama National League.

Click on the link at the top of the story for more on the permutations from Tom Carnduff.

Jim Bentley's Morecambe won 2-0 in the meeting between these clubs back in December but the Shrimps have been stuttering to the finish line with six draws in their last nine winless outings. That run includes three goalless encounters and I would be far from surprised if this contest also ends 0-0. Coventry won 6-1 at Cheltenham last time out but their recent home form hasn't been as impressive, losing 6-2 and 4-2 in two of their previous three games at the Ricoh Arena. Mark Robins knows what the Sky Blues require and a point apiece is definitely my best bet. That leaves Barnet dropping out of the EFL and Mansfield missing out on a play-off place. The Stags are also set to be frustrated by Lincoln getting a win at home to Yeovil.

Go for goals at The Hive

Both teams to score in Barnet v Chesterfield (Saturday, 1500 BST)

I've already backed Morecambe to draw at Coventry so that leaves Barnet needing to beat Chesterfield by seven goals. The Spireites have already been relegated out of Sky Bet League Two but it's a tough ask (to say the least) after third-placed Wycombe could only manage a 2-1 win at the Proact Stadium last weekend. However, I'm still expecting goals at The Hive. Chesterfield have netted in five of their last six away games and Barnet's strength is going forward thanks to the presence of John Akinde at the head of the attack. Both teams to score is my way to go in this match.

Newport state of mind

Newport to beat Carlisle (Saturday, 1500 BST)

My main fancy for the final round of Sky Bet League Two matches is Newport to win at Carlisle. The Cumbrians are saying goodbye to Keith Curle after his three-and-a-half year stint in charge at Brunton Park. I reckon, similar to Mick McCarthy at Ipswich, it will prove tricky for Carlisle to replace the former England international and Newport can make this a miserable farewell. Michael Flynn deserves huge credit for leading the Exiles to the top half and a run to the fourth round of the FA Cup, which ended in a replay defeat against Tottenham at Wembley. Flynn has selections issues for this match but I reckon he can get one last effort out of his players. Newport have won four of the six games leading up this long trip north and 5/2 is an inviting price for the Welsh outfit to bag another three-point haul.

Recommended bets

2pts Newport to beat Carlisle at 5/2

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Posted at BST on 03/05/18

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