It is clear to see from the regular amount of goals scored that League one is great advert for exciting football. During last Saturday’s fixtures both teams scored in six games and there was not a single draw out of the 12 games played.
Peterborough United vs Leyton Orient
Without doubt the stand out fixture of the weekend sees third place Peterborough take on leaders Leyton Orient at London road. The Posh will want to bounce back from their shock defeat to Colchester United and the chance to go level on points with the O’s will be more than enough motivation. Kevin Lisbie netted his 12th goal of the season on Saturday to secure a narrow win over Rotherham United and give Orient slight breathing space at the top of the table. Everything is set up for Orient who face a Peterborough side without the suspended Lee Tomlin and now Paul Taylor who Ipswich Town have recalled from his loan spell. The O’s are the league’s top scorers but Peterborough have the second best defensive record in the division so all is set up for a quality top of the table clash.
I Think it will be a fascinating encounter and fancy Leyton Orient to get a positive result from the game.
Prediction: Peterborough United 1-1 Leyton Orient
Preston North End vs Tranmere Rovers
Preston haven’t really been in the limelight this season but are quietly going about their business in League one. Since losing to Crewe Alexandra at Deepdale the lilywhites have secured seven points from their last three games and will be looking to extend that run against struggling Rovers at the weekend. Preston have acquired Leicester City’s Paul Gallagher on loan till January to boost their attacking options as they look to consolidate their position in the top six. Tranmere have endured a start to the campaign which couldn’t be any further than what they enjoyed last season and currently sit in the bottom four. The club is currently for sale and Tranmere have confirmed that they are in talks with several interested parties. Ronnie Moore will be looking to build on the result against MK Dons and will realise that his team will have to be in top form to come away from Deepdale with anything at the weekend.
Can’t see past Preston for this game and will want to hunt down the top three, good addition in Gallagher I’m going for a home win.
Prediction: Preston North End 3-1 Tranmere Rovers
This promises to be a very close affair judging by the statistics as both sides have identical records in the league this season. Recently however the Valiants have enjoyed their last two outings winning convincingly at Crawley Town and at home to Gillingham. The same can’t be said for Robins who will be looking to win for the first time in three games and repay the fans that saw them beaten at home by Walsall. A positive Swindon can take from this season is that they haven’t relied on one man for goals. They have been spread out across the squad with Dany N’Guessan netting five, Nile Ranger with four and contributions from the Tottenham Hotspur loan signings. Micky Adams dropped Tom Pope for last week’s game against Gillingham and ended his run of 66 consecutive league starts for the football club. He didn’t let it affect him however and netted the winner off the bench, many expect him to start this weekend.
A very tough game to call and one that could go either way, personally going to go for a score draw.
Prediction: Swindon Town 2-2 Port Vale
Bristol City vs Oldham Athletic
Bristol City finally secured their first win of the season away at Carlisle on Saturday and will be looking for Jay Emmanuel-Thomas to lift them off the foot of the table. The striker ended his run of four league games without a goal with a perfect hat-trick and will be looking for more against a side that have conceded 22 goals in just 14 league games. Oldham have picked up in their last five games gathering seven points including a spirited draw against table-toppers Orient. Lee Johnson’s side has an average age of just 22.9 and will look to build on their steady start to the campaign. At the moment they have averaged a point a game and will want to improve on last season’s finish of 19th place.
Another game that could go either way and one that will affect many teams around the bottom end of the table. Personally, after scoring four away and winning their first game I’m going to back struggling Bristol to do the business at Ashton Gate.
Prediction: Bristol City 2-1 Oldham Athletic
Remaining fixtures:
Coventry City 3-1 Notts County
Crawley Town 1-2 Brentford
Crewe Alexandra 1-1 Bradford City
Gillingham 1-1 Carlisle United
Rotherham 2-1 Colchester United
Shrewsbury Town 0-0 Sheffield United
Wolves 3-0 Stevenage
