LEAGUE ONE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS

After the excitement of last weekend’s FA Cup ties the bread & butter of the League programme returns to centre stage. Here’s my take on this weekend’s League One action…..

ACCRINGTON STANLEY v SUNDERLAND

John Coleman’s Accy have struggled of late without a win in their last six games gaining only two points. This has plunged them down to mid-table after a very good start to the season. Promotion chasing Sunderland arrive at the Wham Stadium in second place and in superb form with 14 points from their last six League One games. The attendance record at the Wham Stadium may well be broken for the THIRD time this calendar year & I can’t see the Black Cats failing to get the win here.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

AFC WIMBLEDON v ROCHDALE

Seventeenth placed Dale need to find a degree of consistency starting with this trip to next from bottom Dons at Kingsmeadow if they want to avoid being dragged into a relegation dogfight. Despite their FA Cup exploits that has seen the Dons reach the 3rd Round their league form has been dire with only the one win from their last six games but I think they have enough fight in them to gain another vital three points here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

BLACKPOOL v CHARLTON ATHLETIC

Two of the play-off chasing teams meet in this Bloomfield Road clash. The Tangerines turned in a disappointing display in their last league game at fellow play-off candidates Donny which ended a run of three straight league wins while the Addicks have amassed an impressive 13 points from their last six games. Two good sides here that could cancel each other out.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

BRISTOL ROVERS v DONCASTER ROVERS

Darrell Clarke’s struggling Gas outfit are currently in a relegation place & sit four points from safety so a visit from Grant McCann’s in form Donny side wouldn’t be on his wish list. Donny seem to have their mo-jo back after a recent wobble & should collect the points here.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

BURTON ALBION v SHREWSBURY TOWN

The Shrews board’s decision to give the permanent manager’s job to Sam Ricketts may work out but as an outsider I thought it strange that caretaker Danny Coyne wasn’t given the opportunity given he presided over the club’s best run of the season, a run that has taken them to mid table after an awful start to the season. Coyne apparently had no interest in the job but will offer the new boss some valuable insight. Nigel Clough’s Brewers are inconsistent at best but are difficult opponents for any League One side particularly at the Pirelli so another draw is on the cards in this one.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

LUTON TOWN v FLEETWOOD TOWN

Both teams come into this Kenilworth Road clash on the back of fine away victories in the Cup & confidence in both camps should be high. Luton sit proudly at the top of the League One form table gaining an impressive 16 points from their last six games & they are very, very good at home, far too good for Joey’s inconsistent Cod Army.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

PETERBOROUGH UNITED v OXFORD UNITED

Posh’s exceptional start to the season has stalled somewhat mainly due to their patchy form at their London Road home. They don’t lose many but seem to draw matches against teams you would expect them to beat, case in point Bradford twice in League & Cup. After a poor start to the season Karl Robinson’s Oxford are looking up with a fine recent league record & they are good enough for a valuable point in this encounter.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE v BRADFORD CITY

A December six pointer at Home Park as both teams look for a win to ease relegation fears. Regime change at Valley Parade has seen the divisive chairman & CEO Edin Rahic leave & local man & former owner Julian Rhodes take the reins which must have pleased the beleaguered Valley Parade regulars but David Hopkin’s men must start picking up points now if they wish to avoid being cast adrift at the bottom. Derek Adams & his Argyle side have shown recently some of the form required to avoid the drop & even when struggling are difficult to beat in Devon.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

PORTSMOUTH v SOUTHEND UNITED

Make no bones about it Pompey are going up (in my opinion). They always seem to find a way to win even when games are going against them, get a red card etc. Add to this a superb squad for this level playing open attractive football, massive happy crowds; it’s all there. Chris Powell’s inconsistent mid-table Shrimpers are in poor form & won’t be relishing their trip to the south coast.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

SCUNTHORPE UNITED v GILLINGHAM

Scunny need to reverse their awful recent run that has transformed them from play-off candidates to potential relegation fodder in a few short weeks. They welcome fellow strugglers Gills to Glanford Park in this vital relegation battle. Only Gillingham’s superior goal difference separates the two sides who are both on 21 points, 4 points above the drop zone. Gills have the better recent form & are my tip to heap more misery on Stuart McCall’s side.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

WALSALL v COVENTRY CITY

A tasty looking West Midlands derby with a large crowd awaits at the Banks Stadium. The wheels seem to have come off for the Saddlers after a strong start to the season but two creditable recent draws against a strong Sunderland team shows they’re no mugs especially at home. Mark Robins & his Sky Blue side have made a strong impression on their return to League One & are handily placed for a new year play-off push but I think the two teams may have to settle for a point apiece in this one.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

WYCOMBE WANDERERS v BARNSLEY

Gareth Ainsworth’s Chairboys fine recent record will be put under a severe test when promotion chasing Barnsley visit Adams Park for a game that looks really fascinating. Ainsworth’s side are really strong at home & the long journey along with a gruelling mid-week Checkatrade game may well take its toll on the Yorkshiremen.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 roving reporter and predictions guru. You can follow Ian on twitter @Millmoor1