Bristol Rovers begin life back in League Two in less than a week's time when they play host to Harrogate Town at the Memorial Stadium. It marks the first competitive home fixture for Darrell Clarke in seven years after agreeing to return to the club over the summer.
Clarke won back-to-back promotions in his first stint in charge of the Gas and has overseen a combined total of five promotions during his 15 year career and management which has seen him work his way up from the lower leagues.
He’s so far enjoyed a fairly productive pre-season which has seen his side win three of their five matches with just one more friendly against Oxford United remaining before his side get onto the pitch for the real thing.
It’s been a summer of plenty of changes, incomings and outgoings, but are Bristol Rovers in a healthy position to bounce back to the third tier? And who is likely to pose the strongest competition for one of the three automatic promotion places?
We took a look at this year’s predicted table based on odds from Sky Bet.
1. Newport County: 14/1 for promotion
Newport County are the bookmakers favourites to be relegated to the National League after finishing 22nd last season. | Getty Images
2. Harrogate Town - 14/1 for promotion
Harrogate Town have enjoyed a terrific rise through the divisions in recent seasons, but that ends this season, according to the bookies. | Getty Images
3. Accrington Stanley - 11/1 for promotion
Accrington Stanley are expected to narrowly avoid relegation once again after finishing 21st last season. | Getty Images
4. Cheltenham Town - 8/1 for promotion
Cheltenham Town are expected to struggle once again after finishing 15th last season. | Getty Images