Monday's League Two predictions including Mansfield vs. Northampton

AFC Wimbledon vs. Newport (Monday, 3.00pm)

AFC Wimbledon host Newport County at Plough Lane on Boxing Day, in the latest round of League Two fixtures.

The Dons are in 12th place but only trail the playoff positions by three points, while County are in 18th place after a disappointing run of form in recent matches.

We say: AFC Wimbledon 2-0 Newport County

It is never really clear which Newport County side are going to turn up, given their inconsistent form in League Two this season, so it would not be a surprise if they managed to emerge victorious on Boxing Day.

However, the most likely result is a comprehensive win for AFC Wimbledon, given their recent uptick in form.

Carlisle vs. Bradford (Monday, 3.00pm)

Level on points in the top half of the League Two standings, Carlisle United and Bradford City go head to head in a Boxing Day fixture at Brunton Park.

Having both failed to win any of their last three outings respectively, both sides will head into the game looking to arrest their slump and get their season back on track.

We say: Carlisle United 1-1 Bradford City

Carlisle United and Bradford City have suffered a drop-off in form in recent weeks and will head into Monday's game in search of a pick-me-up. Both sides are currently evenly-matched on paper and we predict that they will take a cautious approach to the game and settle for a share of the spoils.

Crawley vs. Sutton (Monday, 3.00pm)

Seeking to end their run of five consecutive away games without a win, Sutton United take a trip to the Broadfield Stadium to face Crawley Town in one of Monday's League Two Boxing Day fixtures.

Having lost both home and away fixtures between the teams last season, the Red Devils will head into the game looking to get one over the visiting side and return to winning ways.

We say: Crawley Town 1-0 Sutton United

While Sutton United will be looking to end their poor run of results on the road, Monday's game pits them against a Crawley Town side who are unbeaten in five of their last six home games in the league. We are backing the Red Devils to end their losing streak in this fixture and return to winning ways in front of their home fans, albeit by the odd goal.

Gillingham vs. Colchester (Monday, 3.00pm)

Gillingham return to League Two action for the first time since early December when they host Colchester United on Monday at Priestfield Stadium.

Both teams are currently facing relegation, sitting in the bottom two places of the table with 14 points each, but also just a single point away from League Two salvation.

We say: Gillingham 0-0 Colchester United

These sides are where they are for a reason, because neither possesses a ton of depth nor quality in the attacking third, and we anticipate a passive affair on Boxing Day between a pair of clubs that might be too afraid to come away empty-handed, given how tight the relegation standings are at the moment.

Harrogate vs. Grimsby Town (Monday, 3.00pm)

Harrogate Town and Grimsby Town will battle it out for three very important points when they face off at the EnviroVent Stadium on Monday.

Having both returned to winning ways last time out, the teams will be full of confidence ahead of their meeting which promises to be an exciting watch.

We say: Harrogate Town 1-1 Grimsby Town

With just one clean sheet from the last five matches apiece for either team heading into the clash, we expect goals at both ends here. That said, we can also see the sides canceling each other out over the course of the 90 minutes and settling for a point in the end.

Mansfield vs. Northampton (Monday, 3.00pm)

Seeking to pick up a third consecutive away win in League Two, Northampton Town go head to head with Mansfield Town in a mouth-watering Boxing Day matchup.

The Cobblers will take a trip to Field Mill seeking to get one over the hosts, having lost each of the last two meetings between the sides since October 2021.

We say: Mansfield Town 1-2 Northampton Town

Mansfield Town and Northampton Town have enjoyed a solid first half of the season and both sit in the upper echelons of the table. While the hosts will be looking to extend their recent dominance in this fixture, the Cobblers have put together a fine run of form away from home.

With that said, we anticipate a close contest on Monday with Northampton Town claiming a slender victory.

Rochdale vs. Hartlepool (Monday, 3.00pm)

As 2022 draws to a close, Rochdale host Hartlepool United on Boxing Day in their final match of the year at Crown Oil Arena.

Both teams are narrowly above the relegation zone in League Two, tied at 15 points, just a point above Gillingham and Colchester United.

We say: Rochdale 2-1 Hartlepool United

Defensively the Pools have looked out of sorts and unsure of themselves through much of the campaign, and one solid outing is not enough to suggest they have fixed all of those deficiencies which we have seen this season.

Aside from their previous encounter, most of Rochdale's matches have been right there for the taking and finding the back of the net against a unit as leaky as Pools should be a little easier for them than it has been in previous encounters.

Salford City vs. Barrow (Monday, 3.00pm)

In their final home fixture of 2022, Salford City will welcome Barrow to Peninsula Stadium in Greater Manchester on Boxing Day.

Coming into this clash on Monday, the Ammies find themselves three points behind the Bluebirds for a place in the League Two promotional playoff round.

We say: Salford City 2-0 Barrow

Barrow look a little unhinged at the moment and are having a hard time creating much when in possession, while their opponents on Boxing Day are in form, full of confidence and finding ways to win.

Stockport vs. Crewe (Monday, 3.00pm)

Stockport County get their League Two campaign back in motion when they host Crewe Alexandra at Edgeley Park on Boxing Day.

Both sides have seen freezing temperatures in the country postpone their last two fixtures, meaning it will be a case of who comes out of the blocks quicker when the two teams meet on Monday afternoon.

We say: Stockport County 2-0 Crewe Alexandra

Stockport are in a good place after adapting to life in League Two admirably, and they have the attacking talent to take matches away from their opponents at this level.

Crewe will be refreshed and ready for a real battle after over a fortnight without football, but the hosts cheered on by a sold-out Edgeley Park should have enough to earn all three points on Monday.

Swindon vs. Walsall (Monday, 3.00pm)

Round 23 of the 2022-23 League Two season sees Swindon Town entertain the challenge of Walsall at the County Ground on Monday afternoon.

Off the back of respective victories in their last outings, the sides head into this one on a high and will look to pick up where they left off.

We say: Swindon Town 1-1 Walsall

Walsall are in the more in-form team heading into this one, but Swindon have proven themselves to be a tough nut to crack in front of their fans. We are anticipating a close contest with honours even at the end of the 90 minutes.

Tranmere vs. Doncaster (Monday, 3.00pm)

Tranmere Rovers will be looking to bring their poor run of form to an end when they host Doncaster Rovers at Prenton Park in the latest round of League Two fixtures on Boxing Day.

The home side have not won a match in over two months, leaving them in 15th place, while the visitors are four points higher in 10th, and could move into the playoffs with a victory.

We say: Tranmere Rovers 1-1 Doncaster Rovers

Tranmere have drawn a lot of their recent matches, so it seems likely that they will have to settle for a point again against Doncaster on Monday.

The visitors have won two of their last three games on their travels, including their last match against Newport County, so they should be good enough for a draw in what is likely to be a low-scoring game.