We look ahead to the weekend action in Sky Bet League 1.
Friday 28th November 2014Peterborough United v Bristol City – 7.45pm kick-off – live on Sky Sports
Posh (8th – 27 points): Darren Ferguson’s men are now without a win in five league matches, following defeat to Swindon in their latest outing. They’ve re-signed Craig Mackail-Smith on loan from Brighton this week, a move which will see him paired with striker Aaron McLean at the club once more. In what has been a busy week for Peterborough, they’ve also renamed their ground the Abax Stadium.
The Robins (1st – 36 points): It’s now two defeats in a row for Bristol City, after a 16-game unbeaten start. They could be knocked off the top of the Sky Bet League 1 table for the first time since September this weekend, should second-placed Swindon better their result.
Mac Attack: Craig Mackail-Smith could bag his 100th goal for Peterborough United this weekend, having scored 99 times in 212 games during his first spell at the club.
Sheffield United v Notts County – 7.45pm kick-off
The Blades (5th – 30 points): Drew 1-1 with Oldham in their last fixture to remain in the Play-Off positions. They have lost just once in seven outings of late, and can open up a four-point gap on their opponents with victory on Friday night.
The Magpies (6th – 29 points): Their defeat to Yeovil last weekend was their second in three games, having won five games on the spin prior to that. Manager Shaun Derry has signed winger Ryan Hall on loan from Championship side Rotherham United this week, installing some extra firepower into the side.
Three in a row? Last season’s meetings between these two clubs saw both clashes end 2-1, with the two sides bagging a victory each.
Barnsley v Scunthorpe
The Tykes (13th - 22 points): Failed to make it three wins from three a week ago, after they fell 2-1 at Chesterfield. They have notched more points away from home this season, registering just 10 of their 22 points at Oakwell.
The Iron (23rd – 16 points): Have struggled for consistency of late, and their 2-2 draw with Crawley last week means they’ve won, lost and drew in their last three matches. Defender Alex Davey has arrived on loan from Chelsea in the last few days, and Middlesbrough forward Luke Williams has also extended his stay at the club.
Bradford City v Leyton Orient
The Bantams (12th – 23 points): Bradford have won just once in their last seven outings, but have taken four points from their most recent two games, against Preston and Gillingham. They currently sit mid-table, and will need to up the ante at home if they are to push up the division, having lost five of their nine games at Valley Parade this term.
The O’s (19th – 19 points): Moved out of the League 1 drop zone on Saturday after recording their first victory in four games. Their 4-1 triumph over Crewe was just the fourth time this campaign that they’ve taken all three points, and only the first time at Brisbane Road.
Home, not so sweet, home: The last five fixtures between these teams have produced four away victories and one draw, with no side having won at home since 1994.
Coventry City v Walsall
The Sky Blues (18th – 20 points): Coventry have struggled to put a run of results together in recent weeks, with their 1-0 win at Colchester last time out having been proceeded by a win and a draw. Steve Pressley’s side have earned 70 per cent of their total points at the Ricoh Arena this season, winning four and drawing two of their nine games there.
The Saddlers (14th – 22 points): Walsall’s win at Fleetwood in their latest fixture was their third in four outings, with Dean Smith’s men registering an impressive 10 points from the last 12 available. They’ve not won at Coventry since 1984, when they ran out 3-0 winners at Highfield Road.
Goals galore: This fixture has produced 21 goals in the last five meetings, with Coventry having recorded 6-1 and 5-1 victories in that time, and Walsall triumphing in a 4-0 scoreline.
Crawley Town v Chesterfield
The Reds (17th – 21 points): The 2-2 result with Scunthorpe last time around was the fourth draw on the bounce for Crawley, who’ve taken just one win from eight games. They’ve signed Coventry striker Shaun Miller on a one-month loan deal this week in an attempt to improve their average of one goal per game this campaign.
The Spireites (11th - 24 points): Chesterfield ended a horrific run of seven games without a win - losing four of those - by beating Barnsley 2-1 on Saturday. Striker Eoin Doyle netted his 15th and 16th goals of the season in that game, taking his overall tally to 19 in all competitions.
Nice to meet you: These sides have never met in a competitive fixture, despite more than 250 years of history between them.
Crewe Alexandra v Doncaster Rovers
The Railwaymen (24th – 15 points): Following three straight wins throughout the middle of October, Crewe are now searching for a first victory in five after falling to Leyton Orient last time out. They’ve taken full advantage of the loan window this week, signing Nicky Ajose from Leeds United and Watford’s Uche Ikpeazu.
Rovers (16th – 21 points): Inflicted defeat on Rochdale in their last match to record a second win in three games. Paul Dickov’s men have picked up more than double the amount of points on their travels this season than they have at the Keepmoat Stadium, and hold the worst home record in League 1 with just six points.
Goals, goals, goals: This fixture has averaged almost four goals per game in the last 10 clashes, with the ball hitting the net 39 times in that period. The biggest scoreline came back in December 2002, when Crewe struck eight without reply past Rovers in The League Trophy.
Gillingham v Port Vale
The Gills (20th – 18 points): Despite taking four points from their last two games, Gillingham have endured a disastrous spell, recording a solitary victory in their previous 10 league matches. QPR’s Max Ehmer and Charlton Athletic’s Harry Lennon have both arrived at the club this week, with Peter Taylor bolstering his squad.
The Valiants (15th – 22 points): Lost 1-0 to MK Dons on Saturday to bring their run of three successive wins to an end. Former Porto winger Enoch Andoh has signed an 18-month deal at Vale Park, and the club are negotiating to extend the stay of Mark Marshall.
All-square: Gillingham and Port Vale have met 45 times in all competitions throughout their history, and they’ve won 15 each, sharing the spoils 15 times.
Milton Keynes Dons v Colchester United
The Dons (4th – 31 points): Came from behind to draw 2-2 with Rochdale in midweek, despite enjoying the majority of the chances throughout the game. Manager Karl Robinson is now the second longest-serving manager in The Football League following Mark Yates’ dismissal at Sky Bet League 2 club Cheltenham Town.
The U’s (21st – 17 points): The loss to Coventry City a week ago was the third time in a row that Colchester have suffered defeat, and they’ve not won a game in over a month. The result has left them a point from safety in the drop zone, and injury to captain Magnus Okuonghae has forced them to sign Birmingham City’s Will Packwood on loan.
Rochdale v Oldham Athletic
Dale (7th – 27 points): Surrendered a late lead to share the spoils with MK Dons on Tuesday night, squandering the chance to enter the Play-Off places. Although they sit just outside the top six, they’ve only registered one point from a possible nine in recent weeks, and have brought in Blackpool midfielder Tomasz Cywka on loan until January.
The Latics (9th – 27 points): Drew 1-1 with Sheffield United in their latest fixture - a result that leaves them without a win in their last three. Victory this weekend would see them move above their rivals in the table, and Paddy Kenny could appear between the sticks for them, after he signed from Bolton for the remainder of 2014.
Swindon Town v Fleetwood Town
The Robins (2nd – 35 points): A third consecutive win in their game with Peterborough last week saw Swindon move to within a point of Bristol City at the top of the table. They are the highest scorers in the division, having netted 35 times in 18 matches this term, and defender Harry Toffolo has extended his loan spell with the club until the end of the season.
The Cod Army (10th – 25 points): Successive defeats were followed by successive wins, which was then followed by another loss for Fleetwood six days ago, as they were dealt a blow at the hands of Walsall. They are currently averaging less than a goal a game away from home this season, having scored just eight times in their nine trips in Sky Bet League 1.
Nice to meet you: Swindon and Fleetwood will meet for the first time in a competitive match on Saturday.
Yeovil Town v Preston North End
The Glovers (22nd – 17 points): Notched their first win in nine last time out. The 2-1 triumph over Notts County sees them within a point of safety, and another victory this week could lift them out of the bottom four.
The Lilywhites (3rd – 34 points): Preston are finally back to winning ways, after their run of eight straight victories since September was derailed by three consecutive losses earlier this month. Simon Grayson has added to his squad this week, acquiring the services of Middlesbrough striker Bradley Fewster until the end of the season, after Callum Robinson was recalled by Aston Villa.
Three of a kind: These sides met three times across all competitions last season, with the winning team scoring three times on every occasion.
All games are 3pm kick-offs unless stated.