We look ahead to the midweek action in Sky Bet League 1.
Tuesday 21st October 2014Barnsley v Notts County
The Tykes (13th – 15 points): Lost 2-1 to Peterborough at the weekend after previously racking up back-to-back wins. They beat Bradford 3-1 last time out at Oakwell but you have to go back to April 1991 for the most recent occasion they overcame Notts County at home.
The Magpies (6th – 20 points): Beat Crawley 5-3 on Saturday to extend their unbeaten league run to seven games and move into the Play-Off places. They've won their last three and are yet to lose on the road, conceding just two goals in their five away matches.
Three on the bounce: These two haven't met since 2003/04 and, during that season, all three clashes ended level. They drew 1-1 in both league games, with a goalless draw in the Football League Trophy sandwiched in-between, although the Tykes won 4-2 in the penalty shoot-out.
Bristol City v Bradford City
The Robins (1st – 31 points): Are now unbeaten in 19 either side of summer after seeing off Coventry 3-1 last time out. Midfield starlet Korey Smith could return after a spell on the sidelines. They've won five of their six games at Ashton Gate this season.
The Bantams (11th – 18 points): It's now back-to-back defeats for Bradford after a 2-0 loss to Sheffield United. They have the fourth-best away record in the division, though, winning three of six on the road, losing only once, and that was on their last trip, to Barnsley.
Generous hosts: Bradford are unbeaten in five visits to Bristol City, winning three of those. Their last defeat at Ashton Gate came in February 1996.
Colchester United v Chesterfield
The U's (17th – 13 points): A 1-1 draw with Scunthorpe on Saturday means Colchester have lost just once in five outings. They've still only won once at home, but that success came in their last outing in front of their own fans, against Fleetwood.
The Spireites (8th – 19 points): After a weekend draw with Oldham, they've now won only once in six. Their away form reads two wins, two draws and two defeats, with 11 scored and 11 conceded. Paul Cook has no fresh injury concerns but Armand Gnanduillet has been loaned to Tranmere.
Success on the road: The away team has won this encounter in three of the last four meetings.
Crawley Town v Walsall
The Reds (15th – 14 points): Have suffered back-to-back losses, going down 5-3 at Notts County last time out. Three of their four victories so far have come at home. On-loan midfielder Keith Keane is suspended, and could be replaced by Josh Simpson.
The Saddlers (21st – 12 points): Have also suffered successive defeats, most recently losing to Crewe. Dean Smith's side are yet to win away and have signed Leicester youngster Michael Cain on loan. They failed to extend the stay of Sheffield United defender Andy Butler, though.
Fifth time lucky? Crawley and Walsall have met four times over the last two seasons and the latter are yet to taste success. The first three clashes ended level, before the Reds triumphed 2-1 at Walsall's Banks's Stadium in February.
Crewe Alexandra v Peterborough United
The Railwaymen (24th – 10 points): After four defeats on the spin, Crewe have recovered to notch two wins in their most recent two. Saturday's 1-0 victory at Walsall was their first success on the road and their first clean sheet of the campaign, and it followed a home triumph against Coventry.
The Posh (2nd – 26 points): Three wins in four has put the wind in Peterborough's sails and they have the second-best away form in the division, with four wins and two defeats. The Posh haven't lost at Crewe since April 1996, drawing three and winning once in the four visits since.
Goals galore: These two have shared 18 goals over their last four clashes.
Doncaster Rovers v Leyton Orient
Rovers (14th – 14 points): Lost 3-1 to Fleetwood last time out to continue their inconsistent run in Sky Bet League 1. They've won just once in five home games so far. Curtis Main made his first appearance since August on Saturday, and he's likely to feature again.
The O's (20th – 12 points): Picked up their second successive draw on Saturday, against Milton Keynes Dons, meaning they are now winless in four. They're yet to lose away, however. Italian striker Gianvito Plasmati could be handed a debut, if he's given international clearance in time. Jobi McAnuff returns from suspension.
Double trouble: Doncaster won both encounters between these two during the 2012/13 season 2-0.
Gillingham v Preston North End
The Gills (18th – 13 points): Haven't won since mid-September with three defeats and two draws since, most recently sharing the points with Rochdale. All three of their victories to date have come on home soil, where they've lost only once.
The Lilywhites (4th – 22 points): Have recorded four wins on the spin, conceding only twice in that spell, after beating Port Vale 2-0 on Saturday. Captain John Welsh and winger Lee Holmes could return to the squad after injuries.
Three on the bounce: Preston have won their last three games against Gillingham, beating them twice last term after a 2-0 FA Cup success in 2012/13.
Milton Keynes Dons v Fleetwood Town
The Dons (5th – 20 points): Were held to a goalless draw by Leyton Orient last time out but maintained their place in the Play-Offs. They've only faltered once at home, scoring 13 goals in their five games at stadiummk this term.
The Cod Army (9th – 19 points): Have alternated between defeats and wins over their last four games, beating Doncaster 3-1 on Saturday. Their away form hasn't been great with two victories being overshadowed by four losses. They last won on the road in mid-August.
First time for everything: This will be the first ever competitive meeting between MK Dons and Fleetwood Town.
Oldham Athletic v Coventry City
The Latics (10th – 19 points): Drew 1-1 with Chesterfield last time out to make it 11 games unbeaten in all competitions for Lee Johnson's men. They've only lost once at home but haven't got the better of Coventry in the league since September 1991.
The Sky Blues (17th – 13 points): A run of five defeats in six, most recently against leaders Bristol City, has seen Coventry slip down the table. They are yet to win away but history is certainly on their side, undefeated in nine against Oldham over recent years.
Port Vale v Scunthorpe United
The Valiants (22nd – 12 points): Stumbled against Preston at the weekend, going down 2-0, but they've improved under caretaker Rob Page. Two of their three victories have come on home turf. Teenage Leicester striker Harry Panayiotou has been brought in on loan.
The Iron (23rd – 11 points): Mark Robins' first game in charge ended in a 1-1 draw with Colchester at the weekend, after they beat Gillingham the week before. Four of their six games on the road have ended in defeat but they're unbeaten in six against Scunthorpe, going back to 1986.
Level pegging: The head-to-head record the league between these two is tied at 10-10, alongside 12 draws.
Sheffield United v Yeovil Town
The Blades (7th – 20 points): Got back to winning ways by overcoming Bradford 2-0 in Saturday's evening kick-off. Striker Marc McNulty scored for the third successive match in that win, and fellow front man Michael Higdon is available again after his three-match suspension.
The Glovers (19th – 13 points): Halted a run of three successive defeats by drawing with high-flying Swindon at the weekend. Gary Johnson made eight changes for that match.
Anything but stale: These two have met six times since their first clash in August 2011 and they are yet to play out a draw.
Swindon Town v Rochdale
The Robins (3rd – 22 points): That draw with Yeovil extended Swindon's undefeated run to nine league outings, stretching back to the first day of the season. Captain Nathan Thompson is suspended after being sent off at Huish Park.
Dale (12th – 17 points): Looked to be flying after three wins on the bounce in September but they've since lost and drew – that stalemate coming against Gillingham on Saturday. Keith Hill's men are in-form on the road, triumphing in three of their last four away trips.
Rocking Robins: Swindon and Rochdale have locked horns 15 times, since their first clash in 1913, and the Robins are yet to lose, winning nine times alongside six draws.
All games are 7.45pm kick-offs unless stated.