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.
17. Walsall - 10/3 for promotion
Walsall were the pacesetters for most of last season but experienced a real dip in the second half of the campaign. They will hope to win promotion to League One this time around. | Getty Images
18. Notts County - 11/4 for promotion
Notts County are expected to secure a play-off place finish. | Getty Images
19. Swindon Town - 11/4 for promotion
Swindon Town showed renewed signs of confidence in the second half of last year and are expected to take that momentum into the new campaign. | Getty Images
20. Salford City - 11/4 for promotion
Salford City's restructure at boardroom level gives them a strong chance of finally reaching the third-tier. | Getty Images