Saturday's League One predictions including Rotherham vs. Wrexham

sportsmole.co.uk, 19 October 2024, 05:35
Reading vs. Crawley (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Crawley Town will look to end a run of five straight competitive defeats when they travel to the Select Car Leasing Stadium for Saturday's League One clash with Reading.

The Reds are languishing in 22nd place in the League One table, while the Royals will head into the weekend in 17th position.

We say: Reading 2-0 Crawley Town

Reading have won four of their five home league matches this season, and we think they will produce another strong home performance to condemn Crawley to a seventh consecutive defeat in all competitions.

Wycombe vs. Peterborough (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Peterborough United will travel to Adams Park for Saturday's League One encounter with Wycombe Wanderers.

The hosts are sitting in fifth place with 17 points to their name, while the Posh are two points adrift in 12th position.

We say: Wycombe Wanderers 2-1 Peterborough United

Wycombe have proved to be a strong force at Adams Park this season, having won each of their last three home league matches.

However, Peterborough have fallen to back-to-back away defeats, and we think they will experience another disappointing road trip in Saturday's contest.

Blackpool vs. Barnsley (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two sides separated by goal difference and aiming to crack the top six in the League One table will do battle at Bloomfield Road on Saturday, as Blackpool host Barnsley.

The two sides each suffered defeats before the recent international break, leaving them one point outside of the playoff places.

We say: Blackpool 1-1 Barnsley

With both sides keen to come back from the international break with a return to winning ways, we anticipate a hard-fought contest on Saturday.

Both teams boast plenty of quality, and we see a share of the spoils as the most likely outcome at Bloomfield Road.

Bolton vs. Burton Albion (Saturday, 3.00pm)

The first of three games Bolton Wanderers must play without their manager on the touchline, the Trotters host Burton Albion at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in League One on Saturday afternoon.

Prior to the international break, the hosts went down to Aston Villa's Under-21s on penalties in the EFL Trophy, while their out-of-sorts visitors were beaten 3-1 by Bristol Rovers for their fifth loss in a row.

We say: Bolton Wanderers 3-0 Burton Albion

The Trotters may have failed to bolt the back door shut at home in recent weeks, but even without Evatt barking orders from the touchline, Bolton should not face many obstacles en route to a convincing win here.

The international break did come at a good time for a defensively suspect Burton side, but Robinson's side will surely return home battered and bruised as Bolton set their sights on the top half.

Cambridge vs. Wigan (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Still searching for their first League One victory of the season, basement club Cambridge United welcome Wigan Athletic to Abbey Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

While the U's are hoping to end their nine-game winless streak on home soil, the Latics are bidding to extend their unbeaten away run to five matches.

We say: Cambridge United 0-2 Wigan Athletic

Both teams have scored in each of the last 10 meetings between Cambridge and Wigan, with at least three goals scored in eight of those fixtures, so another contest with plenty of goalmouth action could be on the cards this weekend.

However, it is difficult to envisage League One's lowest scorers Cambridge breaching Wigan's sturdy backline - the best in the division - so we are backing the Latics to come out on top without reply.

Charlton vs. Stockport (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two sides targeting promotion from League One this season meet at the Valley on Saturday, when Stockport County travel to the capital to face Charlton Athletic.

Neither side played last weekend as most of the third-tier fixtures were postponed due to international call-ups, denying both the opportunity to build on promising results the week previous.

We say: Charlton Athletic 1-1 Stockport County

Even though goals have been commonplace in this fixture, with 38 scored in the 10 meetings between the two, both are among the strongest defensively in League One.

Only two teams have conceded fewer goals than Stockport in the division and Charlton are not far behind, so a close encounter looks set to be in store.

Lincoln vs. Birmingham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Meeting in a league fixture for the first time since February 1954, third-tier promotion chasers Lincoln City and Birmingham City clash at LNER Stadium on Saturday afternoon in League One.

The Imps recorded an away success in the EFL Trophy at Grimsby Town prior to the international break, whilst Blues managed a comfortable victory over Shrewsbury Town in Shropshire.

We say: Lincoln City 1-2 Birmingham City

Two contrasting styles meet at LNER Stadium on Saturday afternoon, when Birmingham are likely to dominate possession against an effective Lincoln outfit.

That being said, we do not expect an easy match for Blues, and it might be a case of grinding out a narrow victory in the closing stages.

Mansfield vs. Stevenage (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Mansfield Town will be bidding to make it six League One victories in a row when they continue their campaign with a home fixture against Stevenage on Saturday afternoon.

Nigel Clough's side have made an excellent start to the 2024-25 season, sitting up in third spot in the League One table, while Stevenage are 13th, boasting 14 points from their first 10 games of the season.

We say: Mansfield Town 1-0 Stevenage

Stevenage are tough to break down, and it would not be a surprise to see a goalless draw on Saturday afternoon. Mansfield are on a roll at the moment, though, and we fancy them to navigate their way to a narrow victory this weekend.

Northampton vs. Leyton Orient (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Northampton Town will look to end a run of three consecutive league defeats when they welcome Leyton Orient to Sixfields on Saturday.

The visitors will also be looking to end a poor run of form after failing to win any of their last three matches in the third tier.

We say: Northampton Town 1-1 Leyton Orient

Having claimed just two league wins apiece, Northampton and Leyton Orient will both be desperate to claim all three points in Saturday's contest.

However, with wins proving to be hard to come by, we think the two sides could share the spoils in a cagey contest at Sixfields.

Rotherham vs. Wrexham (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to make it five games unbeaten and continue their climb up the League One table, Rotherham United will welcome Wrexham to the New York Stadium on Saturday.

The hosts fell just short of recording a third straight victory away at Peterborough United last weekend, while their visitors return to action from the recent international break in second spot.

We say: Rotherham United 1-1 Wrexham

Despite Rotherham United's league position and early-season struggles, Saturday could certainly be one of Wrexham's toughest tests in League One so far.

The hosts have the quality to cause problems for Phil Parkinson's men, and we predict a draw, which may somewhat please both sides.

Top News

27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The January transfer window is almost here and clubs around the UK and Europe are lining up moves as they look to take advantage of the opportunity to strengthen. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Brighton vs. Brentford (Friday, 7.30pm) Brighton & Hove Albion welcome Brentford to the Amex in one of two games being played after Boxing Day in the Premier League. 27 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal have reportedly shortlisted 22-year-old Boca Juniors goalkeeper Leandro Brey as a transfer target for the January 2025 window. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Ruben Amorim has suffered the worst start of a Manchester United manager in 92 years thanks to Thursday's disheartening 2-0 Premier League loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea suffered their worst Premier League collapse of the 2000s in their shock 2-1 home loss to Fulham at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk AVS and Estrela Amadora are in action for the last time in 2024 when they go head to head at the Estadio do Desportivo das Aves in round 16 of the Portuguese Primeira Liga on Saturday. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool wing wizard Mohamed Salah hit yet another Premier League goalscoring landmark as Arne Slot's league leaders fought back to defeat Leicester City 3-1 on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have moved seven points clear at the top of the Premier League table courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Leicester City at Anfield on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Liverpool have lost key midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai to suspension for their trip to West Ham United in the Premier League this weekend. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The only team in the Premier League with their unbeaten home record still intact, Arsenal seek to avoid a festive giant killing in Friday's Emirates encounter with Ipswich Town. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk The agent of Manchester United attacker Antony has confirmed that there is "concrete interest" in the Brazilian ahead of the January transfer window. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Tottenham Hotspur's defensive crisis worsened in their 1-0 Premier League loss to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, as Djed Spence was sent off while Radu Dragusin sustained an ankle injury. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to end 2024 on top of Serie A, league leaders Atalanta BC will tackle close challengers Lazio at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday evening. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea hotshot Cole Palmer broke a 23-year-old club goalscoring record set by Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink in the Blues' shock 2-1 Premier League defeat to West London derby rivals Fulham at Stamford Bridge. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Julen Lopetegui's West Ham United beat Southampton 1-0 away from home on Thursday afternoon and spoiled Saints manager Ivan Juric's first game in charge of the club. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Nottingham Forest have shot back into third place in the Premier League table thanks to Nuno Espirito Santo masterminding a 1-0 win over former club Tottenham Hotspur. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Andoni Iraola's Champions League hopefuls Bournemouth were held to a 0-0 draw away from home by Crystal Palace on Boxing Day at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Rodrigo Muniz scored a last-gasp winner as Fulham sensationally came from behind to defeat West London rivals Chelsea 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to arrest their underwhelming Primeira Liga results before Christmas, Estoril Praia and Moreirense clash at Estadio Antonio Coimbra da Mota on Saturday, keen to notch important victories in the gameweek 16 encounter. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Birmingham's Boxing Day clash with Burton had to be temporarily suspended due to a medical emergency at St Andrew's. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Kevin De Bruyne certainly wasn't in the festive spirit after walking down the tunnel immediately after Manchester City were held to a 1-1 draw against Everton. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Jose Mourinho reportedly wants Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford at Fenerbahce, while Paris Saint-Germain will not sign the 27-year-old. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Erling Haaland missed a second-half penalty as Manchester City's Premier League plight continued with a 1-1 draw at home to a dogged Everton unit at the Etihad Stadium. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Primeira Liga title contenders Porto could climb to first place on Saturday when they host relegation-threatened Boavista at Estadio do Dragao in gameweek 16. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Goalkeepers tend to be a little crazy and Jordan Pickford is no different. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Chelsea and Fulham have announced their teams for the West London derby at Stamford Bridge on Boxing Day. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Manchester United are paying increased attention to Atalanta BC midfielder Ederson ahead of a potential summer move to Old Trafford. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Arsenal pair Gabriel Jesus and David Raya could both write new chapters of Gunners history when Mikel Arteta's men host Ipswich Town in Friday's Premier League encounter. 26 December 2024 talksport.com Christmas may have come and gone, but Man City' boss Pep Guardiola - and his players - are hoping for presents in the form of new signings. 26 December 2024 sportsmole.co.uk Aiming to finish a successful year with a streak of five straight Serie A wins, Inter Milan will visit Cagliari on Saturday, as both sides play their final fixture of 2024.