League Two 2019-20: relegation predictions, betting, tips and odds

Sol Campbell worked miracles to avoid Macclesfield returning to the National League at the first time of asking last season, but the Silkmen have been beset by financial problems and the former England defender could struggle to repeat the trick.

The Cheshire club had failed to win any of their opening 13 league games and were 1-6 for relegation when rookie boss Campbell took over the reigns at the end of November.

• League Two team rankings

Campbell rose to the challenge and a run of just four defeats in their final 15 matches steered the Silkmen to a surprise survival.

However, Macclesfield finished only three points clear of the drop and a summer dispute with players over unpaid wages means they embark on the new campaign with a thinner squad.

Scott Wilson and Harry Smith, who combined to score 19 of their 48 league goals last season, have been snapped up by fourth-tier rivals Oldham and Northampton, while there is also uncertainty surrounding the future of talented midfielder Elliott Durrell.

• League Two top-scorer tips

Joe Ironside (Kidderminster) and Jacob Blyth (Barrow) have been recruited from the National League in a bid to answer their striking troubles but neither looks up to this level and there is evidently a lack of creativity in the side.

Campbell is the one shining light at Moss Rose but he is working with an unhappy camp and the task of regaining their Football League status may prove even beyond his capabilities.

Morecambe join Macclesfield at the head of the relegation betting but the Shrimps tend to find a way under their long-serving manager Jim Bentley, while third-favourites Grimsby may have addressed their goal woes with the addition of strikers James Hanson and Matt Green.

• League Two handicap

Crawley make some appeal but have a potential saviour in frontman Ollie Palmer and at bigger odds Cambridge get a tentative vote.

The U's won only two of their final 15 league games, limping to a 21st-placed finish and just six points clear of safety.

Colin Calderwood's crew were the second-lowest scorers in the division with 40 goals in 46 matches and they haven't done enough to fix their struggles in the final third.

Jevani Brown was their leading marksman last season with a tally of seven but he has left for Colchester, while winger David Amoo (five goals) has joined Port Vale.

Cambridge are working on one of the division's smaller budgets and could be vulnerable in what looks a more competitive heat.

Recommendations
Macclesfield to be relegated
3pts 7-2 general
Cambridge to be relegated
1pt 7-1 Hills

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Like us on Facebook RacingPostSport