LEAGUE ONE PREVIEW & PREDICTIONS
Happy new year to all, welcome to my take on the last of the holiday fixtures, here goes.
BLACKPOOL v SUNDERLAND
They’ll actually be a crowd at Bloomfield Road when the travelling Mackem army descend on the seaside. The Tangerines form has dropped alarmingly of late with only four points from their last six games while the promotion chasing Black Cats have only a defeat by promotion rivals Pompey blotting their record over the last ten games but were held at home by Shrewsbury at the weekend. Sunderland to take this comfortably.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN
BRADFORD CITY v ACCRINGTON STANLEY
The David Hopkin revolution continues to gather pace at Valley Parade with Saturday’s thumping win at Rochdale the latest in an impressive run of results as the Bantams continue to climb away from danger. John Coleman’s Accy saw their recent upturn halted when they were thumped at home by an Ivan Toney inspired Posh at the weekend. The men from West Yorkshire to continue their improvement here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
BRISTOL ROVERS v BURTON ALBION
Nigel Clough takes his mid table Brewers on the long trip down to Bristol to take on the ever improving Gas who’s caretaker manager Graham Coughlin continues to do a fine job with the strugglers. Rovers are going for their fourth straight league win & they may just manage it here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
CHARLTON ATHLETIC v WALSALL
Only an injury time equaliser prevented the Saddlers from taking the impressive scalp of Luton at the weekend but are still in a worrying slump of form with only one win in their last ten games. Lee Bowyer’s Addicks have lost their last two games after an impressive three game winning streak but the play-off candidates are strong at the Valley & they should take the points in this game.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
DONCASTER ROVERS v ROCHDALE
On form Donny put the disappointing defeat at Fleetwood behind them by putting Gillingham to the sword impressively on Saturday & will go into this Roses battle confident as they host struggling Dale at the Keepmoat. Dale’s recent improvement which saw them beat Southend & Blackpool came to a shuddering halt when they were hammered by Bradford last time out & I can’t see them failing to stop Donny’s play-off charge here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
LUTON TOWN v BARNSLEY
If this game is half as good as the reverse fixture at Oakwell (which Barnsley won 3-2) fans will be in for a treat. Definitely League One’s game of the day & if both of these promotion candidates play to their undoubted potential then a classic is on the cards. The Hatters are awesome at Kenilworth Road while Barnsley’s away record isn’t as good as their imperious home form & that’s why I’m going for a narrow home win here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
PETERBOROUGH UNITED v SCUNTHORPE UNITED
Stuart McCall’s Iron gained their first victory in eight attempts with a barely deserved victory over an unlucky Wycombe team on Saturday so a visit to London Road to start the new year couldn’t be more difficult. Posh are on a run of only one defeat in eight but Steve Evans will be concerned about the amount of draws in the run but a home win here will lift the atmosphere at the play-off chasers.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
PLYMOUTH ARGYLE v OXFORD UNITED
It seems like one step forward & two steps back for relegation threatened Argyle as they continue to battle against the dreaded drop. A useful point gained against Burton stemmed the tide of two damaging defeats but it is wins that Derek Adams & his team need sooner rather than later. Oxford’s recent good form which saw them climb the table has been checked with two straight defeats during the festive season & in my opinion it will be extended to three as Argyle pick up a vital victory.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
PORTSMOUTH v AFC WIMBLEDON
The leaders put the disappointment of their surprise reverse at Priestfield behind them with an impressive 5-2 victory over a decent Fleetwood side at the weekend. The Dons are on a decent run of their own as Wally Downes side battle relegation going unbeaten in their last three games but they’ll be no match for rampant Pompey.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
SHREWSBURY TOWN v FLEETWOOD TOWN
Two mid table sides seek to gain consistency in this clash at the New Meadow. Both sides are capable of brilliance & mediocrity in equal measure & the outcome will depend on who brings their ‘A’ game. I can’t decide which so I’m going for a draw.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW
SOUTHEND UNITED v GILLINGHAM
How can a team that won the double so impressively against leaders Pompey fail so disappointingly against Donny in their next game? That seems to be the nature of the beast in this largely inconsistent division. Chris Powell’s Shrimpers seem to be at a low ebb form wise with seven defeats in their last ten games & must improve if they wish to avoid being sucked into a relegation fight. Gills to get back on track in this one.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN
WYCOMBE WANDERERS v COVENTRY CITY
The Chairboys managed to lose a game at Glanford Park where they had virtually all the play particularly in the second half & boss Gareth Ainsworth will be keen to get their season back on track following three straight defeats. Mark Robins & his Sky Blues will be in confident mood however as he takes his troops down to Adams Park following festive wins over Charlton & Southend which addressed a run of four straight defeats. Wanderers are strong at home & the increased Bank Holiday crowd will spur them on to three points here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN
words Ian Bradley, D3D4 roving reporter and predictions guru. You can follow Ian on twitter @Millmoor1