Saturday's League One predictions including Portsmouth vs. Wigan Athletic

Northampton vs. Exeter (Saturday, 2.00pm)

Two teams separated by a single point in the middle of the League One table will do battle in the penultimate round of third-tier fixtures of the season on Saturday, as Northampton Town welcome Exeter City to Sixfields.

The hosts currently occupy a top-half spot with two games left to play, but their visitors have quickly narrowed the gap between the teams with an eight-match unbeaten streak.

We say: Northampton Town 1-2 Exeter City

Northampton Town will be keen to bounce back from last week's disappointment and maintain a lead over Saturday's visitors, but they meet an Exeter City side with momentum firmly behind them on their climb towards the top half, and we back the Grecians to continue their fine run with another three-point haul at Sixfields.

Blackpool vs. Barnsley (Saturday, 3.00pm)

With just two games of the regular season remaining, Barnsley will travel to Bloomfield Road to take on Blackpool on Saturday in a pivotal contest in the fight for top-six places in the League One table.

A share of the points could guarantee the visitors' playoff spot despite a poor run of form, while their hosts have kept their top-six hopes alive with three straight victories.

We say: Blackpool 2-1 Barnsley

While the current playoff picture looks good for Barnsley and desperate for Blackpool, the momentum of the two sides tells a different story, and we can envisage the hosts extending their fine run with a victory against an out-of-sorts Reds side who are limping through the final run-in.

Bolton vs. Port Vale (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Automatic promotion-hunting Bolton Wanderers host relegation-battling Port Vale on Saturday afternoon at the University of Bolton Stadium in League One.

The hosts sit in third and know that any dropped points could officially end their hopes of finishing in the top two this season, while the 22nd-placed visitors must win to ensure that their fight for survival goes to the final day.

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Port Vale

Bolton head into this game as the clear favourites, boasting more than double Port Vale's points tally this season.

The hosts have not lost in this fixture since a 6-3 defeat in December 2020, and we expect them to continue that unbeaten run with a victory here, in a must-win match for both sides.

Bristol Rovers vs. Peterborough (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Midtable Bristol Rovers host promotion-hunting Peterborough United on Saturday afternoon at the Memorial Stadium in League One.

The visitors are fourth in the league and know that victory this weekend is the only way to ensure that their slim hopes of gaining automatic promotion to the Championship will stay alive heading into the final week of the campaign.

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Peterborough United

This fixture has been dominated by Peterborough in recent seasons, winning 10 and losing just one of the previous 17 encounters between the two sides.

With Bristol Rovers having little left to play for, sitting securely in mid-table, and the visitors battling for promotion, we believe Ferguson's side will come out victorious.

Burton Albion vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Relegation-threatened Burton Albion host 17th-placed Reading at the Pirelli Stadium on Saturday afternoon in League One.

The hosts are just two points above 21st-placed Cheltenham Town, who hold a game in hand over those around them, leaving the final two games of the season crucial to their survival hopes.

We say: Burton Albion 1-1 Reading

While the home side have struggled in this fixture recently, winning just one of the last six meetings between the two, with Reading's safety already guaranteed and Burton's potential safety on the line, we believe Burton will use the extra motivation to pick up a needed point.

Cambridge vs. Derby (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to seal their spot back in the Championship after a two-year absence, Derby County will make the trip to the Abbey Stadium to face Cambridge United on Saturday afternoon in League One.

The U's are fighting relegation in the third tier after a poor run of form lately, whereas the Rams are hoping to escape the division into the Championship.

We say: Cambridge United 0-1 Derby County

Despite failing to win any of their last three away matches, we are expecting Derby to turn on the style here and record a potentially promotion-securing victory at the Abbey.

Cambridge's form has stuttered in recent weeks, and the visit of the second-placed Rams to the Abbey Stadium is not an ideal opportunity to get back to winning ways.

Carlisle vs. Wycombe (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to end the season on a high despite relegation already confirmed, Carlisle United will welcome Wycombe Wanderers to Brunton Park on Saturday afternoon in League One.

The Cumbrians suffered a narrow defeat at home to Blackpool last time out, whilst the Chairboys were able to collect three points from a trip to Port Vale.

We say: Carlisle United 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

With relegation already confirmed, Wycombe are cruising towards the season's end, and we are expecting another limp performance from the Cumbrians on the weekend.

The Chairboys are continuing to push on following their EFL Trophy heartbreak earlier in the month, and we reckon that they will pick up a third straight win at Brunton Park.

Charlton vs. Shrewsbury (Saturday, 3.00pm)

With just two games left in League One, Shrewsbury Town are still playing to guarantee their safety in the division ahead of next season.

They travel to The Valley to face Charlton Athletic on Saturday. With the remaining points available, the hosts are simply aiming to finish as high as possible.

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

Charlton are the draw specialists of League One, with no team sharing the points more than them this season, therefore one more would not be a surprise.

With Shrewsbury needing points to guarantee their safety they will be sure to put up a fight which could lead to them getting a result to go one step closer to their goal.

Cheltenham vs. Lincoln (Saturday, 3.00pm)

It is a crucial game at both ends of the League One table on Saturday as Cheltenham Town continues their fight for survival against promotion hopefuls Lincoln City.

The visitors currently find themselves just outside the playoff positions, with both teams desperate to win points for different reasons.

We say: Cheltenham Town 0-2 Lincoln City

With so much on the line for both teams this weekend it is likely to be quite a closely contested and cagey game, with neither team wanting to give too much of an advantage away.

However, the strong run of form that Lincoln has displayed in the second half of the season should see them through here, with their quality likely being too much for the hosts.

Leyton Orient vs. Fleetwood (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to keep any faint hopes of escaping the League One relegation zone alive, Fleetwood Town will travel to Brisbane Road to take on Leyton Orient on Saturday.

The visitors find themselves six points adrift of safety with just two games left to play, with any chances of survival out of their hands, while the hosts have the chance to cement a top-10 finish with a victory.

We say: Leyton Orient 1-1 Fleetwood Town

Fleetwood Town will certainly fight hard to preserve any survival hopes heading into the final day of the League One season, and they do meet a Leyton Orient side hurt by injures, but Saturday still presents a tough trip against a side with superior quality and we cannot envisage them leaving Brisbane Road with all three points.

Portsmouth vs. Wigan (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Fresh from securing promotion and the League One title, Portsmouth will welcome Wigan Athletic to Fratton Park for their final home game of the season.

The hosts are looking to extend their 17-game unbeaten run, while the visitors will be hoping to record a second straight victory.

We say: Portsmouth 2-1 Wigan Athletic

Portsmouth could take their foot off the gas after achieving promotion on Tuesday, but we still think they will produce another strong display to claim a narrow win and extend their unbeaten run to 18 matches.