League One 2019-20: special bets | top-half finish | top north-west club

It’s anyone’s guess if Joey Barton will still be in charge at Highbury at the end of term, but with or without their unpredictable gaffer Fleetwood should go well.

The Cod Army’s first term under Barton was inevitably studded with controversy and ultimately ended in frustration. They could, and probably should, have finished higher than than 11th given their playing staff and budget.

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This season they can chart higher leaving seaside rivals Blackpool and the rest of their regional rivals - Accrington, Rochdale, Tranmere, Bolton and Bury - in their wake.

The top north-west club market looks like a match bet with the Tangerines, who should also have a spring in step with the highly unpopular Oyston family finally out of the way and Simon Grayson back in charge.

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But Fleetwood have recruited well, notably in midfield where Jordan Rossiter and Paul Coutts have the potential to form a very impressive partnership. The acquisition of Coutts, still only 31, from Sheffield United could prove inspired.

There’s also a chance for the excellent Josh Morris to revive his career which promised much when scoring 19 goals from the wing for Scunthorpe during their 2016-17 promotion push.

In Paul Tisdale MK Dons have a top manager in their hotseatCredit: Pete Norton

Progressive MK Dons set for lofty finish

Lincoln and MK Dons should flourish after promotion with the Dons set for a place in the top half.

Everything about Milton Keynes smacks of progress. They boast an impressive stadium, there’s money in the tills and in Paul Tisdale they have one of the Football League’s brightest talents at the helm. And don’t forget, this was a Championship club only three years ago.

• League One title contenders

The manner of their final-day winner-takes-all triumph over Mansfield was the platform for a feelgood factor which has stretched through a productive summer.

Chuks Aneke may have departed but Kieran Agard is still among the ranks and can develop a fine partnership with Rhys Healey, the workaholic frontman with a slippery turn of pace who signed off 2018-19 with the odd Premier League outing at Cardiff.

Ex-Manchester United defender Regan Poole strengthens the backline while Hiram Boateng, who Tisdale signed from Crystal Palace at Exeter, has rejoined his former boss to beef up midfield.

Recommendations
Fleetwood top north-west club
2pts 9-4 Hills
MK Dons to finish in the top half
3pts Evs Hills

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