We look ahead to the weekend action in Sky Bet League 1.
Saturday 11th October 2014Bristol City v Chesterfield
The Robins (1st – 25 points): Remain unbeaten with seven wins and four draws after sharing the points with Walsall last weekend. Overpowered League 2 Cheltenham in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy in midweek, triumphing 3-1. Boss Steve Cotterill was named the Sky Bet League 1 Manager of the Month for September.
The Spireites (6th – 18 points): Ended a three-game winless run by beating rivals Sheffield United last time out. Goalkeeper Tommy Lee was dismissed in that game but the red card was overturned, meaning he's available. In-form striker Eoin Doyle picked up the September Sky Bet League 1 Player of the Month award.
Double bubble: Bristol City did the double over Chesterfield the last time the two were in the same division, in 2006/07. They won both meetings 3-1.
Colchester United v Fleetwood Town
The U's (21st – 9 points): Went down 4-2 at Preston last time out despite taking an early lead, before losing 4-2 on penalties to Gillingham in the Trophy on Tuesday, after battling out a 3-3 draw. They've now won two, drawn two and lost two over their most recent six league games but are yet to triumph at home after five outings.
The Cod Army (10th – 16 points): Ended a seven-match winless streak by seeing off Port Vale 1-0 last weekend. Fleetwood's five away games have featured only six goals so far – a league low – and they've lost 1-0 on their last three away trips.
First things first: This will be the first ever competitive meeting between Colchester and Fleetwood.
Crawley Town v Peterborough United
The Reds (14th – 14 points): Came from two-down to draw 2-2 at Coventry last time out. That result means they've lost only once in five outings. Despite those two goals, they are still the joint-lowest scorers in the division with eight.
The Posh (3rd – 20 points): Also drew 2-2 last weekend, with Oldham, making it four points from their last two, both at home, after previously losing back-to-back away games.
Third time lucky for the Posh? Crawley and Peterborough have only ever played each other twice, during 2013/14, and the Reds won both meetings. They triumphed 2-0 at London Road before winning 1-0 on home soil.
Crewe Alexandra v Coventry City
The Railwaymen (24th – 4 points): Their dismal season continued last Saturday as they were defeated 2-0 by Bradford. They've now lost four on the bounce, conceding 14 goals and scoring just once, but their only win to date came at home. Midfielder Brad Inman could make his way back into the team, having made just two substitute appearances in the Alex's last six games.
The Sky Blues (15th – 13 points): Stopped a three-match losing spell by drawing 2-2 with Crawley last week but they haven't won now for nearly a month. Their away form has been their stumbling block with only two points registered in five outings on the road.
Leaky: Crewe's 29 goals against tally is a league-worst.
Gillingham v Scunthorpe United
The Gills (18th – 12 points): Have lost two on the spin, most recently against Notts County, but they won 4-2 on penalties in midweek against Colchester in the Trophy. Defender Callum Davies signed a new deal this week, keeping him at the club until 2016.
The Iron (23rd – 7 points): Russ Wilcox was dismissed after losing their last three league games, and midweek Trophy tie against Notts County. Mark Robins is set to be appointed as their new boss. They've lost four of their five away matches this season, with the other ending level.
Oldham Athletic v Walsall
The Latics (12th – 15 points): Have drawn four of their last five and haven't been defeated since late August. They overcame Barnsley 4-2 on penalties following a 2-2 draw in the Trophy and have this week signed Colchester striker Jabo Ibehre on loan. Manager Lee Johnson has told the press that there's been a sickness bug in the Oldham camp of late.
The Saddlers (16th – 12 points): Have only lost once in six, drawing three of those including last time out against leaders Bristol City. They are yet to win on the road, sharing the points on three of five occasions, and have scored a league-worst two away goals so far.
Close call: The head-to-head record between Oldham and Walsall reads 20-19 in favour of the Saddlers. Their other 11 encounters have ended as draws.
Port Vale v Yeovil Town
The Valiants (22nd – 9 points): Lost 1-0 at Fleetwood last Saturday after picking up four points in the two games prior under caretaker Rob Page. Their defensive recruitment has continued with the loan signing of Newcastle United's Remi Streete.
The Glovers 19th – 12 points): Back-to-back 2-0 defeats, to Crawley and MK Dons, leaves them hovering just above the bottom four and chairman John Fry is expecting an improvement from Gary Johnson's men.
Sheffield United v Leyton Orient
The Blades (11th – 16 points): Were 3-2 losers against Chesterfield last weekend but bounced back by overcoming Hartlepool in the Trophy on Tuesday. Jamal Campbell-Ryce and Jose Baxter made goalscoring returns to the squad in that game, after spells on the sidelines.
The O's (20th – 10 points): Remain managerless after Russell Slade's departure and have lost their most recent two in the league. They triumphed 2-0 at Dagenham in midweek with Jay Simpson bagging a brace – his first goals for Orient.
It's been a while: Leyton Orient haven't got the better of Sheffield United since 18th October 1983.
Sunday 12th October 2014
Barnsley v Bradford City
The Tykes (17th – 12 points): Returned to winning ways at Rochdale last weekend, triumphing 1-0, after going without three points for five fixtures. Peter Ramage got the all-important goal in that game, after returning to the club on loan. Their home form has been poor, with one win and three defeats at Oakwell so far this term.
The Bantams (7th – 18 points): Two wins and two draws has lifted them to within touching distance of the Play-Off places. They have the second-best away form in the division, with 11 points collected over an unbeaten five outings on the road.
Renewing acquaintances: These two Yorkshire clubs clashed four times during 2005/06 but they haven't met since. The head-to-head record reads 36-35 to Bradford, alongside 30 draws.
All games are 3pm kick-offs unless stated.