“My tip to win in” - Don Goodman issues League Two prediction involving Doncaster Rovers, Bradford City and others | OneFootball

Don Goodman has tipped Doncaster for League 2 glory, with MK Dons, Port Vale and Bradford City also favoured for promotion

The League Two season is set to get underway this weekend and Sky Sports analyst Don Goodman has tipped Doncaster Rovers as early favourites for the title with Bradford City touted as one of the teams challenging.

Doncaster narrowly missed out on promotion last season after losing to Crewe Alexandra in the League Two play-off semi-finals. Donny finished fifth in Grant McCann's return to the club, but suffered a penalty shoot-out heartbreak at the hands of the Alex.

Despite their play-off loss, 2023/24 represented a season of significant improvement under McCann. Prior to his appointment, Donny were on the slide and finished in an underwhelming 18th position. McCann has instilled stability and has got the club back on the right track.

The Northern Irishman will be looking to build on a successful season and his side will be one of the main contenders heading into the new campaign.

Indeed, Goodman delivered his verdict on the League Two title race and who could join Doncaster at the top of the table.

The EFL pundit is tipping Doncaster to win League Two, but he believes that MK Dons, Port Vale, and Bradford could also be up there.

Goodman said: "League Two has become really competitive in recent years when you think of clubs coming up from the National League. You had the likes of Wrexham and Stockport and now Chesterfield, who spent big to get themselves up, and I don't think there's a massive gap now between League 2 and the National League, so it is very, very competitive.

"I would say that Doncaster, with the way they finished last season, would be my tip to win it. I think they'll be able to get over the disappointment of losing to Crewe in the playoff semi-finals.

"I think MK Dons will expect to challenge after enjoying a full pre-season under Mike Williamson completing some excellent recruitment. I expect them to be right up there.

"Port Vale have been very busy as well. George Byers has been recruited. Jaden Stockley, I think, is going to rip this league up, honestly. Darren Moore's teams get the ball out wide and put crosses in, which is perfect for Jayden Stockley. They also brought in Ronan Curtis and Alex Mighten, so I expect them, with Darren Moore's experience, to be good and strong.

"I hope Carlisle will be up there under Paul Simpson, it's a league he knows well. They have new and ambitious owners. They have a new training ground, and they brought Charlie Wyke back, which is incredible. So I'm optimistic for them.

"Bradford City is a huge club at League Two level. It's got stuck there, unfortunately, and they've been there way, way too long. It's really important they start to make their way back up, climbing back up the pyramid. They finished last season with five wins in a row, and I think that's given a feel-good factor going into this season.

“So, if they can get off to a good start, I do see Bradford City definitely challenging at the top end of League Two.”

Doncaster should have the edge

Doncaster carried momentum over the second half of last season and narrowly missed out on promotion. If they can pick up where they left off, then they could leave the chasing pack in their wake. Impressively, the club won 12 of their last 15 matches prior to the play-offs, which included a nine-match winning streak.

As for McCann, he has previous in achieving promotion, having done so with Hull City in 2021. The Northern Irishman is an experienced manager and League Two should be a level where he excels. He will be confident of leading Donny to promotion in what is his second spell as manager.