League One Preview - 27th October

As Rovers and the other teams in League One prepare to do battle once again on Saturday afternoon, Henry Hudson takes a look ahead to the games in the division and gives his predictions for the weekend ahead.....

This weekend should see quite a few tight matches with a lot of close match-ups occurring in NPower League One.  Tuesday night saw an entertaining night of League One football with 39 goals in the 12 games played, therefore averaging more than three goals per match.  I predict that we will see far tighter and dogged encounters this Saturday and with many pitches still being boggy from where there have been downpours, expressive and fluent football could be unlikely at alot of the grounds this weekend.

First up the then the league leaders, Tranmere Rovers – sounds nice doesn’t it - but how long will it last?
They of course host Preston on Saturday which will be a real test of their promotion credentials.  Preston are
creeping up the table and will definitely be up at the very peak of Npower league one come the end of the season.  The strength and depth in their squad means they should be able to improve as the season goes on when many other teams (possibly Tranmere themselves) will be down to the bare bones player wise.

At the moment Preston can be rather a ‘hit and miss’ side, defeats against Oldham and Sheffield United this month sandwiched between a comfortable win at Doncaster.  Of course you all know about Tranmere’s slight slump in form of late, albeit not enough to knock them off the top of the league. I hate to say it but I predict that Preston will sneak this one by a single goal as Preston are not a team you would want to face when you have just lost two games on the spin.

The team on Tranmere’s tail, Stevenage, host Paolo Di Canio’s Swindon Town.  Stevenage are unbeaten at home this season and seem to have not suffered the common trauma that is ‘second season syndrome’ , even though they lost some of their best players in the summer such as John Mousinho and Michael Bostwick.  Under their lively manager, Swindon are scratching at the playoff places. Although no side goes out onto the pitch for a draw, Swindon would be quite happy with a draw and Stevenage would be satisfied with one as well so I think the match will end in a rather a dull draw.

Jake Cassidy will be looking to add to his tally for Rovers against Preston

The team at the foot of the table, Hartlepool United, will need to put in their best display of the season if they want a win at Griffin Park.  They have not won a single away game this season and their hosts Brentford have one of the best home records in the division.  The formbook would suggest that Brentford will earn the three points with ease however I believe the match will be very close and I strongly believe Hartlepool have the ability to get a point in West London.

The team that beat Hartlepool in midweek to move off the foot of the table host Walsall on Saturday.  Bury’s win on Tuesday was their first of the season, they were the last team in the whole of the seventy two football league teams to win a league game.  Walsall are clear of the drop zone thus far this season, however, they have failed to win any of their five league games played this month. As matches often are when two ‘nitty-gritty’ teams play, there may not be very many goals however I think home advantage could benefit Bury on the day (even though home advantage seems to mean nothing for a lot of teams nowadays).

It may be uncommon in League One but there is also a Sunday fixture this weekend.  Sheffield United host Portsmouth who have managed a few wins of late to propel them up the table and out the relegation zone.  Sheffield United are the only unbeaten side in the division and have the best defence in the league. The Sheffield side have kept 6 cleans sheets so far this season and I believe they will keep another on Sunday. I believe Portsmouth will not have enough to challenge the Blades and will be soundly beaten.

Notts County host Doncaster on Saturday at Meadow Lane

Two other promotion contenders face off in Nottingham as Notts County take on Doncaster.  Neither side will want to lose in fear of falling out of the play off places so I predict a bore draw.  Near the bottom of the league Leyton Orient host underachieving Coventry at Brisbane Road.  After a laughable start, Orient have recovered their season with a series of impressive wins although are still inconsistent.  Coventry have not got their season going so far and have not settled into the third tier of English football following their relegation last season.  I do think Coventry will win as Orient have various unresolved defensive issues and they have the joint weakest strike force in the whole division.

Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth will be looking to continue their good form as they make the long journey to Carlisle.  Seven points in their last three games shows how the immediate impact of Eddie Howe has benefitted the team.  Contrary to many peoples belief, I believe that Eddie Howe’s immediate ‘vibe’ will be temporary and I think Carlisle will earn at least a point against the Southerners.

Because of the recent downpours in and around Scunthorpe, the Glanford Park pitch is likely to be more dogged than usual which will not benefit Saturdays visitors MK Dons.  Sides such as MK Dons cannot play their more expansive brand of football (for League one standards anyway) on poor pitches so I believe than Scunny can get a draw despite the visitors being the overwhelming favourites.

One of the bigger surprises in League One this weekend could come courtesy of Oldham Athletic.  They play at Crawley Town in what will be a scrappy encounter.  Despite being higher in the league, Crawley have been inconsistent somewhat this season when it becomes to defending.  Crawley have the joint worst defence out of the top ten teams in League One.  Oldham Athletic have the best defence out of all the teams in the bottom half of the division.  Because of this I believe Oldham will push the Sussex team all the way and the game will be very equal throughout.

Shrewsbury will try to recover there declining home form as they face in form Colchester who have kept three consecutive clean sheets.  I think Shrewsbury and Colchester will cancel each other out as both will be content with draws, especially the visitors.  I believe Crewe will edge out Yeovil in the final game of the weekends schedule.

Henry's Full Predictions:

Brentford 1-1 Hartlepool

Bury 1-0 Walsall

Carlisle 0-0 Bournemouth

Crawley 0-0 Oldham

Crewe 2-1 Yeovil

Leyton Orient 2-3 Coventry

Notts County 0-0 Doncaster

Scunthorpe 1-1 MK Dons

Shrewsbury 1-1 Colchester

Stevenage 0-0 Swindon

Tranmere 0-1 Preston

Sheffield United 2-0 Portsmouth