Saturday's League One predictions including Wrexham vs. Mansfield

Burton Albion vs. Shrewsbury (Saturday, 12.30pm)

Burton Albion and Shrewsbury Town meet on Saturday afternoon aware that they can each ill-afford to suffer defeat at the Pirelli Stadium.

These two teams sit in 24th and 23rd position in the League One table, the home side still searching for their first victory in the third tier.

We say: Burton Albion 1-1 Shrewsbury Town

With two fresh faces at the helm, this may turn out to be a different type of game than it would have been two weeks ago. Nevertheless, the respective teams know that they cannot afford to lose this game, leading us to predict a low-scoring draw.

Wrexham vs. Mansfield (Saturday, 12.30pm)

A key battle at the top end of the League One table will take place at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday, as Wrexham welcome Mansfield Town.

The newly-promoted sides currently sit third and fourth respectively with just a point separating them.

We say: Wrexham 2-1 Mansfield Town

With two sides growing in confidence at the top end of League One and boasting plenty of quality, we anticipate a hard-fought and entertaining encounter in Wales on Saturday.

Wrexham prevailed in two of these sides' three meetings last year and drew the other, and we back them to get over the line again at the Racecourse Ground.

Birmingham vs. Northampton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Looking to return to the summit of the third-tier standings, Birmingham City will welcome Northampton Town to St Andrew's @ Knighthead Park for a League One clash on Saturday afternoon.

Blues booked their spot in the second round of the FA Cup at Sutton United last weekend, whilst the Cobblers were one of the major casualties of the first round.

We say: Birmingham City 2-0 Northampton Town

Back in League One action for the first time in two weeks, Birmingham will be raring to produce a statement performance and regain control at the top of the table.

Low on confidence following the FA Cup defeat to Kettering, we are expecting Northampton to cause the hosts little problems in the Second City this weekend.

Bristol Rovers vs. Lincoln (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Following their respective progressions to the second round of the FA Cup, Bristol Rovers and Lincoln City return to League One action with a clash at the Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Matt Taylor's team needed extra time to get the better of Weston-super-Mare in knockout action last weekend, while their visitors made light work of Chesham United in the first round.

We say: Bristol Rovers 1-2 Lincoln City

Lincoln may have been put to the sword on their last League One away day at Crawley, but the Imps have otherwise been near-unbeatable on the road in 2024 and head to the Memorial Stadium with the form book firmly on their side.

In spite of Bristol Rovers' relatively pleasing home record, the Gas are too inconsistent for us to back them with any real conviction, and a Lincoln outfit who love facing the Pirates have our vote to continue their promotion charge.

Crawley vs. Huddersfield (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Huddersfield Town will travel to take on Crawley Town on Saturday in an important game at both ends of the League One table.

The visitors sit just one point outside of the playoff spots thanks to a return to form in recent weeks, while their visitors moved up to 21st spot with a midweek draw.

We say: Crawley Town 0-2 Huddersfield Town

Aside from last Friday's cup disappointment, Huddersfield Town appear to be growing in confidence under Michael Duff and should return to the top six with another victory against a Crawley Town side struggling at both ends of the pitch.

Exeter vs. Charlton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two teams level on points in the League One table and hoping to close in on the playoff spots square off at St James' Park on Saturday and 11th-placed Exeter City play host to 12th-placed Charlton Athletic.

The Grecians and the Addicks meet for the first time since March when they played out a 1-1 draw in this exact fixture, with Ben Purrington's early opener cancelled out by an 87th-minute Cheick Diabate own goal.

We say: Exeter City 2-2 Charlton Athletic

Exeter will fancy their chances of breaching Charlton's backline this weekend as they have scored at least one goal in each of their last 11 home league matches - the Grecians have not enjoyed a longer run since October 2019 (13).

Charlton, meanwhile, have found the net in 11 of their last 14 away league games and although they are missing a few players due to injury, we can see Jones's side claiming at least a share of the spoils in this fixture.

Leyton Orient vs. Blackpool (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Two teams in the bottom half of League One square off at the Gaughan Group Stadium on Saturday as Leyton Orient play host to Blackpool.

The O's and the Tangerines meet for the first time since February when they former secured a narrow 1-0 home win over the latter, courtesy of a goal from Ollie O'Neill.

We say: Leyton Orient 1-2 Blackpool

Both teams are keen to swiftly turn their fortunes around and climb the table, and they will view Saturday's fixture as a good opportunity to claim all three points. There is little to separate these two sides, but we are backing Blackpool to outscore their opponents and claim a slender victory on their travels.

Peterborough vs. Cambridge (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Aiming to extend their unlikely winning run in League One, Cambridge United will visit local rivals Peterborough United on Saturday.

After putting together a streak of three straight successes that lifted them off the foot of the table, the U's also won two cup contests in the space of a week; meanwhile, their hosts are unbeaten in seven home games.

We say: Peterborough United 2-2 Cambridge United

Peterborough are mid-table in League One, eight points above their opponents; however, their 'goals against' total of 26 is the highest throughout the division.

As Cambridge have begun to turn the tide, they can at least take a point off their old foes and extend a promising unbeaten streak.

Stevenage vs. Reading (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Stevenage are six places behind Reading in the League One table heading into Saturday's gameweek 15 meeting at the Lamex Stadium.

The hosts are winless in the division since October 19, losing three on the trot, while their opponents seek to respond to a 4-1 thrashing at the hands of Stockport County at the end of last month.

We say: Stevenage 2-1 Reading

Stevenage come into Saturday on the back of consecutive home losses following a three-match winning streak on their turf, while Reading have struggled with away results.

Given the history of just four away wins in League One since Selles took over in July 2023 (including last season's 1-0 triumph in the corresponding fixture), we back the hosts to secure a marginal success at the Royals' expense.

Stockport vs. Bolton (Saturday, 3.00pm)

After a horror show at home earlier in the week, Stockport County will return to Edgeley Park to welcome Bolton Wanderers for a League One clash on Saturday afternoon.

The Hatters were smashed on their own turf by Wycombe Wanderers last time out, whilst the Wanderers have experienced a full week of training following their FA Cup exit.

We say: Stockport County 1-1 Bolton Wanderers

After such a detrimental start to their hosting of Wycombe earlier in the week, Stockport will look to be solid in the opening stages against Bolton.

However, we cannot envisage the Hatters keeping a rare clean sheet at Edgeley Park, with a share of the spoils representing a probable outcome on Saturday afternoon.

Wigan vs. Wycombe (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Wycombe Wanderers make the trip to the Brick Community Stadium to face Wigan Athletic sitting in top spot of the League One table.

In sharp contrast, the home side are struggling to keep themselves out of trouble, holding just a three-point advantage above the relegation zone.

We say: Wigan Athletic 1-2 Wycombe Wanderers

When a team has been as strong as Wigan in defence, they will always have a chance of upsetting the odds. Nevertheless, we cannot see past another win for the visitors, albeit having to work far harder than they did earlier in the week.