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Match Previews

Sky Bet League 1 weekend preview

29 August 2014

Saturday 30th August

Colchester United v Peterborough United

The U's: One of five teams sitting at the bottom of Sky Bet League 1 without a win this term. They drew on the opening weekend, but have since suffered three straight defeats by the odd-goal.

Posh: Sit second with nine points from a possible 12. Their only defeat came at home to Sheffield United, but they've won both matches on the road by one goal to nil. Striker Kyle Vassell has netted four times this term, while new recruit Marcus Maddison could make his debut after signing from Gateshead.

Happy memories: Peterborough won automatic promotion from League 1 after a victory at the Weston Homes Community Stadium back in April 2009.

Doncaster Rovers v Oldham Athletic

Rovers: Two wins, one draw and one defeat means Doncaster are on seven points from their first four matches. Knocked higher-ranked Watford out of the Capital One Cup on Tuesday to make it four straight away victories in all competitions, but are yet to win at home.

The Latics: Winless having registered just two points courtesy of a couple of stalemates and two defeats. It might be early days, but Lee Johnson's men sit in the relegation zone.

Former employers: Doncaster boss Paul Dickov faces Oldham for the first time since departing his role as manager at Boundary Park.

Fleetwood Town v Leyton Orient

The Cod Army: Saw their 100 per cent record end with a 0-0 draw against Chesterfield last weekend, but have taken 10 points out of a possible 12 to top the Sky Bet League 1 standings.

Read manager Graham Alexander's thoughts ahead of the Leyton Orient game by clicking here

The O's: Return to league action this Saturday after stunning Premier League side Aston Villa in the Capital One Cup Round 2 on Wednesday night, winning 1-0 thanks to a Romain Vincelot goal. Manager Russell Slade was understandably pleased with that result after two successive goalless draws in Sky Bet League 1.

Gillingham v Crewe Alexandra

The Gills: Narrowly beaten 1-0 by Premier League Newcastle United in the Capital One Cup in midweek. Have won once, drawn once and lost two in Sky Bet League 1. Both defeats have seen them concede four goals each time. Danny Kedwell has four goals.

The Railwaymen: Only Crewe have leaked more goals than Gillingham in the division this term, with 11. They've lost all four games so far this season, making them the only team yet to register a point. Took Bolton Wanders to extra-time in the Cup on Tuesday.

Winless start: The last time Crewe went five games without winning at the start of the season was in 1990/91, when they took seven games to pick up a victory.

Milton Keynes Dons v Crawley Town

The Dons: Prepared for this fixture by mauling Premier League giants Manchester United 4-0 in the Capital One Cup. Including that fixture, Karl Robinson's men are unbeaten in three without conceding.

The Reds: Won their first two games of the campaign but have since lost two in a row - to Bradford City and Sheffield United - to remain on six points, in 13th.

These two teams have met four times previously. Three of those games have ended in a 2-0 scoreline.

Port Vale v Chesterfield

The Valiants: Lost 3-2 to Cardiff City in the Cup on Tuesday night, having suffered a 2-0 defeat to Notts County last weekend. Were unbeaten in the league before that result, and have five points.

The Spireites: Won their first two, but have since lost and drawn without scoring. Eoin Doyle netted in their first three fixtures of the season in all competition before the current dry spell. Still, it's been an encouraging start after winning the Sky Bet League 2 title last year.

Preston North End v Sheffield United

The Lilywhites: One of three teams in the division who remain unbeaten following two wins and two draws. Could be without Bailey Wright, Chris Humphrey, John Welsh, Kyel Reid and Lee Holmes this weekend.

The Blades: Lost their opening two games but have since picked up wins against Peterborough and Crawley to climb into the top half. Overcame Premier League West Ham United in the Cup in midweek, winning 6-5 on penalties.

Read Preston's preview of this fixture by clicking here

Rochdale v Bradford City

Dale: Found life hard in the first week of the season with two defeats but have bounced back to take four points from their past two matches.

Bantams: Mason Bennett and Jordan Pickford return to the squad after being unavailable for Bradford's 2-1 Capital One Cup success over Leeds United. Have picked up seven points from their four league games so far and sit in eighth.

Scunthorpe United v Walsall

The Iron: Lost 1-0 to Reading in the Cup in midweek and are yet to win in league competition this season. A 1-1 draw with Yeovil Town last weekend halted a run of three straight defeats.

The Saddlers: Also winless in Sky Bet League 1 this term. They've drawn three games and lost once, and have been involved in the fewest goals out of the 24 teams, seeing just five over their four games.

Goal shy: This fixture pairs together the two lowest scorers in Sky Bet League 1 this season; both Scunthorpe and Walsall have only netted twice in four games.

Swindon Town v Coventry City

The Robins: Have taken seven points from four games. In a mirror of last season, they've won six of those points from their two home matches, losing and drawing their two on the road. Exited the Capital One Cup in the week but put in a performance of which they can be proud, according to youngster Louis Thompson.

The Sky Blues: Unbeaten in three in the league with a win over Sheffield United and draws with MK Dons and Barnsley. Have another away game in midweek in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy before returning to the Ricoh Arena next Friday night.

Yeovil Town v Barnsley

The Glovers: Lost their first two fixtures with an aggregate scoreline of 5-0, but have since won one and drawn one to move onto four points from four games.

The Tykes: Three points but 14 places better-off, Barnsley have taken seven points from their past three league fixtures, including a 4-1 rout of Gillingham last Saturday.

Last time out: When these two sides met in the Sky Bet Championship back in March, Barnsley ran out 4-1 winners at Huish Park thanks to goals from Chris O'Grady (2), Liam Lawrence and Dale Jennings.

Sunday 31st August

Notts County v Bristol City

The Magpies: County host Bristol City on Sunday afternoon following two successive wins, over Colchester and Port Vale. Sit on seven points after four games - a tally that took them 10 games to reach in 2013/14.

The Robins: Unbeaten after two wins and as many draws has given Steve Cotterill's men eight points and put them in fourth place. Also faring better than last season - it took City 13 games to pass this number of points last time around.

Familiar: This will be the 105th meeting between these two clubs. Bristol City have won 42 compared to 38 for County, alongside 24 draws.

 

All games are 3pm kick-offs unless stated.


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