Division Two runners and riders

BBC Sport Online runs the rule over the Division Two hopefuls ahead of the new Nationwide League season which gets under way on 11 August.

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BLACKPOOL
Secured promotion via the play-offs after a storming finish last season. Carrying that form into the new campaign is vital, otherwise Steve McMahon's side could struggle.
Prediction: Survival, but only just

BOURNEMOUTH
Narrowly missed out on a play-off place after a late run of form last term. Jermain Defoe has taken his prolific shooting boots back to West Ham and Claus Jorgensen has left for Bradford. But with classy defender Eddie Howe sticking around, the Cherries could make the top six this time.
Prediction: Close, but no cigar

BRENTFORD
The appointment of Steve Coppell will steady a rocking ship and Lloyd Owusu should continue to catch the eye, but the Bees will still do well to improve on last year's 14th place.
Prediction: Surprise relegation candidates

BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Last year's Division Three champions have rewarded boss Micky Adams with a new three-year contract and star striker Bobby Zamora remains off the for-sale list. Adams has made shrewd signings in the shape of Dirk Lehmann, Simon Morgan, Geoff Pitcher and Robbie Pethick and the Seagulls could be a surprise play-off package.
Prediction: Play-off hopefuls

BRISTOL CITY
Missed out on the play-offs last season after a sluggish start, but are justifiably among the favourites this time. Boss Danny Wilson has failed to considerably strengthen his squad and hopes his usual suspects can build on last season.
Prediction: Play-offs

BURY
Struggled last season and there is little to suggest things will be any different this time around. Boss Andy Preece has a meagre transfer budget to play with and survival must be his best hope.
Prediction: Relegation

CAMBRIDGE UNITED
John Beck has been busy at both ends of the transfer market as he begins his second spell at the club in earnest. After last season's flirtation with relegation, mid-table would be a considerable achievement this time round.
Prediction: Relegation

CARDIFF CITY
Last year's Third Division runners-up have highlighted their promotion with some big-name signings. Spencer Prior, Des Hamilton and cultured midfielder Graham Kavanagh are among Alan Cork's summer buys and, if the new boys click, then the Bluebirds will be flying high again.
Prediction: Play-offs

CHESTERFIELD
Following last season's financial difficulties,

Luke Beckett will be on the goal trail

Chesterfield will be hoping for a quiet, consolidatory season in Division Two. With no fresh faces, the onus will once again be on Luke Beckett and David Reeves to provide the goals.
Prediction: Bottom half

COLCHESTER UNITED
The U's are making steady if unspectacular progress and boss Steve Whitton has already dismissed talk of chasing a play-off spot as "fantasy". It's hard to disagree, but with a blend of experienced veterans such as Micky Stockwell and highly-rated youngsters like Kemal Izzet, a mid-table finish is not beyond them.
Prediction: Bottom half

HUDDERSFIELD TOWN
Relegation last season has not sparked a mass exodus of players at Huddersfield and, with strike trio Andy Booth, Delroy Facey and Martin Smith, instant promotion will be Macari's main objective.
Prediction: Automatic promotion

NORTHAMPTON TOWN
Boss Kevin Wilson has snapped up Chelsea youngsters Sam Parkin and Robert Wolleaston and the experienced trio of Paul McGregor, Gerard Lavin and Daryl Burgess. The Cobblers fell away in the second half of last season, but have a stronger squad this season and could push for the play-offs.
Prediction: Top half

NOTTS COUNTY
Moved quickly to sign Darren Caskey following his release by Reading and the former Spurs midfielder could add the spark that was missing when County missed out on last season's play-offs. Goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall has also signed, while Ian Baraclough returns to the club.
Prediction: Top half

OLDHAM ATHLETIC
With Oldham's financial future looking more secure, boss Andy Ritchie has cause for optimism.

Darren Sheridan is one of Oldham's new signings

The Oldham youth set-up continues to produce talented new players and experienced duo Darren Sheridan and Stuart Balmer have arrived from Wigan. But survival will be the key for the Latics.
Prediction: Relegation

PETERBOROUGH UNITED
Peterborough showed good home form last season but 19 away matches without a win took its toll. If Posh can achieve some consistency on their travels then Barry Fry could be looking at a top-half finish.
Prediction: Mid-table

PORT VALE
Finished like a train last season and more of the same would set up a play-off challenge. The fans were not happy at losing Alex Smith to Reading but Brian Horton has made some shrewd signings to replace him.
Prediction: Play-off push

QUEEN'S PARK RANGERS
Last year's relegation prompted a sell-off and boss Ian Holloway has lost influential pair Jermaine Darlington and Peter Crouch. Signing Steve Palmer from Watford will steady the ship, but Rangers still face a season of consolidation.
Prediction: Mid-table consolidation

READING
Royals were in the top three for virtually the whole of the season but 88 points was not enough for automatic promotion and Alan Pardew's side then suffered the agony of play-off defeat. With Martin Butler, Jamie Cureton and Nicky Forster all fighting for places up front, Reading should go up this time.
Prediction: Champions

STOKE CITY
Play-off semi-final losers last term but should be challenging again, despite losing the influential Graham Kavanagh to Cardiff. But Peter Hoekstra from Ajax is among the new faces and the Potters should be challenging for an automatic promotion spot this time.
Prediction: Play-offs

SWINDON TOWN

Roy Evans is now in charge at Swindon

Narrowly avoided relegation last season and new boss Roy Evans will have his work cut out to ensure they survive again. Off the field problems and the loss of goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall and striker Gary Alexander leaves Evans and player-coach Neil Ruddock with a major task on his hands.
Prediction: Relegation

TRANMERE ROVERS
With Dave Watson now at the helm, Tranmere will be desperate for a quick return to the First Division. Despite numerous good cup runs in recent years, Watson will want more consistency in the league and holding on to Jason Koumas is his first big challenge.
Prediction: Play-offs

WIGAN ATHLETIC
After three successive play-off failures, Wigan will again start as one of the favourites to secure promotion to Division One. Following the departure of Bruce Rioch and then Steve Bruce last year, Paul Jewell has been appointed and he will have Latics challenging again if he can quickly fill Roy Carroll's goalkeeping gloves.
Prediction: Play-off winners

WREXHAM
Early form let Wrexham down last season, but their end-of-season results suggest a play-off push this time. The influential Darren Ferguson and prolific striker Lee Trundle will hold the key to that challenge.
Prediction: Mid-table

WYCOMBE WANDERERS
An FA Cup semi-final appearance last season has raised expectations at Wycombe and Lawrie Sanchez is one of the division's hottest managerial properties. The return of prolific striker Sean Devine will raise those hopes even higher but Chairboys may still have to settle for mid-table mediocrity.
Prediction: Mid-table