EFL League Two PREVIEW 22 Aug 2026: League Two Round-Up: York Head to Rotherham, Fleetwood Host Gillingham

The pick of the second round of League Two fixtures sends York City to the New York Stadium to face Rotherham United, two clubs whose trajectories have gone in opposite directions. York won the National League title last season with a club-record 108 points from 46 games and Ollie Pearce top-scoring with 34 league goals, sealing promotion with a stoppage-time draw against Rochdale. Rotherham, by contrast, have fallen through two divisions in three seasons, dropping out of the Championship in 2023/24 and out of League One last term under Matt Hamshaw and then Lee Clark. Rotherham sit 16th after an opening defeat, York 6th after a win, and our model gives the home side a 40% chance.

Salford City host Chesterfield in a repeat of last season's play-off ordeal for both clubs, though not against each other: Salford lost the final 0-3 to Notts County at Wembley, while Chesterfield were beaten by the same opponents in the semi-final. Karl Robinson's Salford sit 20th after an opening-day loss, Paul Cook's Chesterfield 17th after their own defeat, and the model makes Salford narrow 49% favourites.

League leaders Newport County, up on goal difference after a win to open the campaign, travel to Bristol Rovers, who lost their opener and sit 15th. The model favours Rovers at just 37% despite home advantage. Walsall, second on goal difference after a first-day win, host Grimsby Town in a meeting of last season's beaten play-off sides — Walsall lost the 2024/25 final to AFC Wimbledon before slipping to 13th last term, while Grimsby were edged out by Salford City in extra time in May. Both arrive on three points and the model gives Walsall a 54% edge.

Fleetwood Town, known as the Fishermen or the Cods and based at Highbury Stadium, host a Gillingham side already well beaten in their opener. Fleetwood sit 9th after a winning start; Gillingham are 23rd, level with Rochdale on minus three. The clubs have a long League Two history together, with previous meetings between them having produced more Fleetwood than Gillingham wins and the draw the next most common outcome. The model makes Fleetwood strong 64% favourites, the shortest price of the round.

Crewe host Northampton Town, who arrive in League Two after finishing bottom of League One last season with 35 points, one of four clubs relegated alongside Exeter City, Port Vale and Rotherham. Crewe won their opener and sit 8th; Northampton drew theirs and are 13th. The model gives Crewe a 56% chance. Exeter City, who came down with Northampton and brought back Matt Taylor as manager in March, host Accrington Stanley: Exeter lost their opening game, Accrington drew theirs, and the model rates Exeter 44% favourites.

Port Vale, another of that relegated quartet, host Tranmere Rovers at Vale Park. Tranmere were relegation strugglers themselves last season before Pete Wild was appointed in March and kept them up; Vale lost their opener and sit 21st, Tranmere won theirs and sit 5th, with the model favouring the home side at just 36%. Rochdale, back in the Football League after winning promotion through the National League play-offs at Wembley in May, host Crawley Town, who came down from League One in 2024/25; both lost their opening games and the model gives Rochdale 47%.

Shrewsbury Town, who finished 19th in their first season back in the fourth tier last term, host Barnet, who returned to League Two by winning the National League title and finished a highly credible eighth in their first season back. Barnet sit 3rd after an opening win; Shrewsbury are 22nd after an opening defeat, and the model makes them big 36% underdogs at home. Swindon Town, who drew their opener, host Cheltenham Town, winners of theirs, at the County Ground; Cheltenham appointed Steve Cotterill in September last year and finished 18th, while Swindon narrowly missed the play-offs in ninth. The model gives Swindon a 43% chance.

Colchester United, who drew their opening fixture, host Oldham Athletic, winners of theirs and fourth in the table. The model gives Colchester 42%.