League One Preview: 13 August

This Saturday, 22 sides from League One head into their second fixture of the season, whilst on Sunday, two of last season promoted sides from League Two meet at the Memorial Stadium as Bristol Rovers host Oxford United. Here is your League One Preview:

 

Saturday 13 August 

MK Dons vs Millwall

League leaders Millwall travel to the Stadium MK as both sides look for back to back wins following their opening day triumphs.

The Dons, who ran out 1-0 winners at Shrewsbury, will be looking for another win as they seek promotion back to the Championship, whilst Millwall, who put three without reply past Oldham, will also harbour the same ambitions this season after they lost out in the playoffs last season.

 

Gillingham vs Bury

Gillingham and Bury both won on their opening day fixture, and both sets of supporters will be looking for the same results this Saturday.

The Gills, who find themselves second in League One after their 3-1 victory at Southend, finished just outside the playoffs last term, whilst Bury, who beat relegated Charlton at Gigg Lane, will be looking to improve from their 16th placed finish last season.

Gillingham won 3-1 in this fixture last season, and also beat Bury at Gigg Lane too.

 

Fleetwood Town vs Scunthorpe United 

Fleetwood welcome Scunthorpe to Highbury Stadium with the hosts searching for their first win of the season.

The Cod Army, who won this fixture 2-1 last season, drew 1-1 at Northampton last Saturday. They finished last season in the bottom half of the table last season, whilst Scunthorpe, who won 3-1 at home to Bristol Rovers on the opening day, finished 7th.

 

Oldham Athletic vs Walsall 

Oldham will be looking to put their opening day defeat behind them as they welcome Walsall to Boundary Park.

The Latics suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat at promotion favourites Millwall on the opening day, but they won 1-0 in this fixture last season, whilst Walsall won their opening fixture 3-1 at home against promoted AFC Wimbledon.

 

Peterborough United vs Bradford City 

Peterborough welcome Bradford to the ABAX Stadium as the Posh look for back to back wins.

Grant McCann’s side won 3-2 in a thriller at Spotland against Rochdale last time out, whilst Bradford were involved in the days only goalless draw as they were held at home against Port Vale.

It’s worth noting that, albeit with different managers, Bradford won this fixture 4-0 last season as they finished the season in 5th.

 

AFC Wimbledon vs Bolton Wanderers

AFC Wimbledon will be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat at Walsall as the Dons welcome former Premier League side Bolton to Kingsmeadow in what is the club’s first home game in the third tier of English football.

The Dons, who lost 3-1 at Walsall last time out, gained promotion to League One via the playoffs, whilst Bolton, who suffered relegation from the Championship, will be looking to make it back to back wins after their 1-0 victory at home against Sheffield United.

 

 

Chesterfield vs Swindon Town

Two undefeated sides meet at the Proact Stadium as Chesterfield welcome Swindon, where the Robins won 4-0 last season.

The Spireites drew their opening day fixture at Oxford United, with Ched Evans netting the equaliser, whilst the Robins relied on a late Yaser Kasim goal to earn all three points at home to Coventry City.

 

Charlton Athletic vs Northampton Town 

Charlton will be looking to bounce back from their opening day defeat as they welcome League Two winners Northampton to the Valley.

The Addicks, under new management in the shape of Russell Slade, lost their opening fixture 2-0 at Bury, whilst the Cobblers, also under new management under Rob Page, drew 1-1 with Fleetwood on the opening day.

 

Port Vale vs Southend United 

Two sides in search of their first win of the season meet St Vale Park where Port Vale host Southend.

The Valiants drew 0-0 at Bradford last time out, whilst Southend, despite taking the lead, lost 3-1 at home against Gillingham.

Port Vale will be confident having won this fixture 3-1 last season against Phil Brown’s side.

 

Sheffield United vs Rochdale

Chris Wilder will take charge of his new Sheffield United side at Bramall Lane for the first time as they host Rochdale.

The Blades lost at Bolton on their opening fixture, whilst Rochdale were on the wrong end of a five goal thriller at home against Peterborough. Both sides will be looking for their first league win of the season.

In eight meetings between the two sides, there has been just one Rochdale win, with seven Blades victories, including last seasons 3-2 win.

 

Coventry City vs Shrewsbury Town

An opening day defeat for these two sides means both will be seeking all three points at the Ricoh Arena.

Coventry, who conceded a late goal in their 1-0 loss at Swindon, welcome Shrewsbury, who also lost to the same scoreline but at home against MK Dons.

But the Sky Blues, who finished just outside the playoffs last season, won this fixture 3-0 last time out.

 

Sunday 14 August

Bristol Rovers vs Oxford United 

Two of last seasons automatic promoted sides from League Two meet at the Memorial Stadium as Bristol Rovers host Oxford United.

The Gas, who lost their opening League One fixture at Scunthorpe, finished 3rd last season behind the U’s, whilst Michael Appleton’s side drew 1-1 in their opening fixture at home against Chesterfield.

Despite both sides gaining promotion, it was Oxford that won 1-0 in this fixture last season thanks to a stunner from the departed Kemar Roofe.