Notts County and Fleetwood Town square off on Sunday afternoon having each avoided defeat on the opening weekend of the new League Two season.
While the home side earned a share of the spoils, the visitors marked their return to the fourth tier with a hard-earned victory.
Match preview
© Imago
Despite relegation from League One, there were signs at the back end of 2023-24 that Charlie Adam was getting his message across to his Fleetwood players.
Although three victories from four games were not enough to avoid dropping into the fourth tier, the foundations had been laid for this campaign.
Fleetwood kicked off their League Two calendar with a 1-0 win over Grimsby Town, before they backed that up with a brilliant triumph over Championship outfit West Bromwich Albion in the EFL Cup.
That success was made all the more impressive by the Cod Army overturning an early deficit to prevail 2-1, setting them up to try to win a fifth competitive fixture in succession.
However, it is worth noting that Fleetwood have only posted one away victory since February 7, something that will not be lost on their hosts.
As for Notts County, they also came away with a clean sheet from their first fixture of the season, earning a goalless draw at Tranmere Rovers.
Stuart Maynard would have been satisfied with that result, but less so with the 3-3 draw at Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Cup first round on Tuesday night.
The East Midlands side had been 2-0 up with 23 minutes remaining, only to find themselves behind 17 minutes later before being eliminated on penalties.
While the positives will be taken from pushing a team in a higher division to the brink, freely conceding goals like they did throughout pre-season is a cause for concern.
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Team News
Barring any fitness issues, Maynard is expected to revert back to the Notts County XI from the Tranmere stalemate.
Although David McGoldrick came into the attack and contributed an assist, the veteran should drop back down to the substitutes' bench here.
Meanwhile, Ryan Graydon will hope to feature for Fleetwood having marked his first start of the season with a goal against West Brom.
Matty Virtue also played a starring role in midfield, but Mark Helm appears more likely to get the nod in the three-man engine room.
Carl Johnston is in line to return at right wing-back ahead of Ryan Broom.
Notts County possible starting lineup:
Bass; Macari, Platt, Bedeau; Jones, Hinchy, Crowley, Chicksen; Austin, Scott; Jatta
Fleetwood Town possible starting lineup:
Harrington; Sarpong-Wiredu, Holgate, Medley; Johnston, Helm, Bonds, Mayor, Hunt; Coughlan, Graydon
We say: Notts County 1-1 Fleetwood Town
Based on last weekend's scorelines, there is every indication that goals will not be a regular feature in this contest. With that in mind, we are backing a competitive low-scoring draw which neither team will be unhappy with.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Darren Plant
