Fierce competition for places in the fast lane

SECOND DIVISION: DIVISION-BY-DIVISION: As the pressure for success builds up, Glenn Moore considers the promotion and relegation prospects

Local derbies are back on the fixture list in Bristol, and City fans will be viewing the prospect with mixed emotions. They face Rovers - who are still lodging at nearby Bath - as a consequence of being relegated in May but, despite possessing a better ground, more money and a superior pedigree, the odds favour the exiles.

Rovers nearly passed City this summer, having missed out of promotion only in the play-off finals. While City have lost Wayne Allison to Swindon for pounds 475,000, Rovers have retained the talented Marcus Stewart.

The last time both clubs were in this division, four seasons ago, Rovers were champions and City were promoted behind them. That may be the best City can hope for - together with a first derby win at Twerton Park.

The Second Division threatens to become a series of M4 duels. Brentford, narrowly beaten to promotion by Birmingham last year, are among the favourites together with relegated Swindon.

Brentford are optimistic, especially as the 51-goal partnership of Nick Forster-Robert Taylor is intact, despite Crystal Palace apparently having designs on Forster.

Morale is somewhat lower at Swindon after consecutive relegations. Steve McMahon, whose exhortations proved no more successful than John Gorman's coaxing, has made several signings in the hope of halting the freefall. Among them is Mark Seagraves, a Coca-Cola Cup finalist with Bolton in April, and the mercurial Allison, who could form a potent combination with Peter Thorne.

Wycombe Wanderers, now managed by Alan Smith, the former Crystal Palace manager, and Crewe are also among the contenders but the latter, though long on quality, are short on depth.

Carlisle, who romped the Third Division last year, may prove more durable. Their confidence will be as high as their chairman Michael Knighton's ambition. Warren Aspinall and Glyn Snodin are among their signings.

There will be plenty of invention at Notts County, especially in the programme notes - Colin Murphy, the bard of the non-sequitur, is manager. Steve Thompson, who impressed at Southend last season, is his team manager and the combination may produce a team to match revamped Meadow Lane.

Blackpool's search for a new ground reaches a new step next month with a planning application. In the meantime they have invested a well-judged pounds 200,000 on Crystal Palace's Andy Preece. Spending too at Rotherham, including Paul Blades (Wolves) and Mike Jeffrey (Newcastle) for six-figure fees, and Bradford. Lennie Lawrence has bought several players, including Ian Ormondroyd and Nicky Mohan from Leicester and Swansea's Jon Ford, out of the pounds 1.85m received for Dean Richards.

Few clubs have the depth to cope with a run of injuries which means anyone could struggle. Promoted Chesterfield, impecunious Shrewsbury and heavily indebted Brighton - who are searching for a new ground - could fare worse than most. Wrexham will miss Gary Bennett's goals and Stockport the inspiration of Danny Bergara.

PREDICTIONS

PROMOTION Brentford, Carlisle PLAY-OFFS Wycombe, Bristol Rovers, Bradford City, Swindon RELEGATION Stockport, Chesterfield, Shrewsbury, Peterborough