We look ahead to the midweek action in Sky Bet League 1
Tuesday 16th September 2014Colchester United v Sheffield United
The U’s (21st - five points): Recorded their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory at Leyton Orient at the weekend, having lost four of their previous six. That victory was enough to earn manager Tony Humes a place in the Sky Bet Football League Team of the Week.
The Blades (ninth - 10 points): Also come into this game off the back of a win, after beating Rochdale 1-0 on Saturday, and victory on Tuesday could see them break into the Play-Off places.
Bogey side: Colchester have failed to overcome Sheffield United in 10 games, with five ending in wins for the Blades.
Doncaster Rovers v Crawley Town
The Rovers (19th - seven points): Endured a promising start to the season in Sky Bet League 1, but two defeats in a row sees Rovers flirting with the relegation places. Will be without striker Harry Forrester after he was dismissed last weekend.
The Reds (12th - nine points): Beat Fleetwood 1-0 on Saturday having lost their previous four in the league. Midfielder Gwion Edwards could return after he missed out at the weekend due to an ankle injury.
Third time lucky? The pair have only faced each other twice in their history, with Rovers taking one win and the other ending level.
Gillingham v Peterborough United
The Gills (15th - eight points): Have won just two of their opening seven with their most recent win coming in a 2-0 victory over Crewe last month. They've lost two of their last four. Danny Kedwell scored in all four of their first four games but hasn't found the net since.
The Posh (second - 16 points): Five wins from seven sees Peterborough flying high but manager Darren Ferguson was left frustrated after a goalless draw at home to Notts County at the weekend. That result saw them surrender top spot.
Close call: Of the 34 league matches these two have contested, 10 have ended as Peterborough wins, with nine victories for Gillingham.
Milton Keynes Dons v Bradford City
Dons (third - 13 points): The highest scoring side in Sky Bet League 1, having netted 14 goals. Put five past Barnsley at the weekend. Have kept four clean sheets in their last five in all competitions.
The Bantams (eighth - 10 points): Lost their last four in all competitions, including their most recent three in the league at Valley Parade – the first time that has happened under manager Phil Parkinson.
All square: These sides have met just eight times in league history, each taking four wins.
Notts County v Leyton Orient
The Magpies (14th - eight points): Registered a scoreless draw away to high-flying Peterborough at the weekend, and have started with two wins, two draws, and two losses this campaign. Defenders Hayden Mullins and Mike Edwards both set to miss out through injury.
The O’s (20th on six points): Just one win so far for last year’s Play-Off runners-up means they sit near the relegation places. They've drawn three of their last four. Kevin Lisbie remains out but Romain Vincelot is set to return after his one-match suspension.
Port Vale v Bristol City
The Valiants (22nd - five points): Have lost five straight games in all competitions, including a 2-1 reverse to rivals Crewe on Saturday. Their last win came over a month ago, in a 3-1 victory at Doncaster.
The Robins (top - 17 points): Bristol City’s form is a stark contrast to their Tuesday opponents, as they remain the only side in Sky Bet League 1 yet to lose a game. Three wins in a row has seen them rise above Peterborough at the summit.
Rockin' Robins: Bristol City have won six of their last seven games against Port Vale, drawing the other, and scoring 19 goals in the process.
Preston North End v Chesterfield
The Lillywhites (10th - nine points): Suffered their first league defeat of the season in a 3-1 loss to Walsall at the weekend. Jordan Hugill begins a three-match suspension after his weekend dismissal. Fellow striker Kevin Davies remains sidelined.
The Spireites (fourth - 13 points): Like Preston, have also lost just one game this term. Put Scunthorpe to the sword with a 4-1 beating of them on Saturday. Have taken seven points from the last nine available to gain momentum.
Home, sweet home: Preston are unbeaten at home for 16 matches, last losing at Deepdale on 21st December last year.
Rochdale v Walsall
Dale (17th - seven points): Lost two of their last three. Have no fresh injury concerns as they look to pick up three points at home for the first time this season. Top scorer Matt Done scored a hat-trick in Dale's last Sky Bet League 1 midweek outing.
The Saddlers (18th - seven points): A first win of the season against Preston on Saturday eased the pressure on Walsall. Have only lost twice in their opening seven, but are the league’s draw specialists with four stalemates.
Four on the spin: Five of the last six clashes between Rochdale and Walsall have ended level, including the last four encounters.
Scunthorpe United v Coventry City
The Iron (23rd - four points): Lost five of seven games this term. They have the worst defensive record, conceding seven, and have only netted five at the other end – the joint-worst goalscoring tally.
The Sky Blues (fifth - 12 points): Unbeaten since the opening day of the season, with three wins and three draws since. They will have momentum after back-to-back victories at the Ricoh Arena.
Form favours the away side: The away side won this meeting 2-1 on both occasions in 2012/13. Scunthorpe were 2-1 victors at the Ricoh before Coventry triumphed 2-1 at Glanford Park.
Swindon Town v Oldham Athletic
The Robins (sixth - 11 points): Have alternated between draws and wins in their last four. Two-goal hero from the weekend, Jonathan Obika, is set to retain his place up top.
The Latics (11th - nine points): Have taken seven points from a possible nine in their last three outings. Drew 0-0 with Gillingham on Saturday – their fourth successive clean sheet in all competitions. Top scorer Jonathan Forte is 50-50 to play according to manager Lee Johnson.
Click here to read the pre-match thoughts of Latics boss Lee Johnson
Yeovil Town v Crewe Alexandra
The Glovers (16th - eight points): Have not won in their last five games in all competitions, shipping 10 goals in the process. Have recruited Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Jake Kean on loan, with the 23-year-old set to start on Tuesday.
The Railwaymen (24th - three points): Took their first points of the season with a win against rivals Port Vale at the weekend, which will give them a boost having lost eight straight matches prior to that result.
Expect a winner: This fixture has never ended in a draw, with Yeovil taking five wins to Crewe’s three.
Wednesday 17th September 2014
Fleetwood Town v Barnsley
The Cod Army (seventh - 11 points): Despite a healthy league position, Fleetwood have had mixed fortunes so far this season. They started with three wins before drawing two and losing two. They've netted just one goal in their last four league outings.
The Tykes (13th - eight points): Have made an average start to the season with two wins, two draws and two losses. Shipped five goals in a defeat to MK Dons on Saturday but scored three to make the scoreline a little more respectable. They've scored 12 goals in all – the second-highest tally in the division.
Nice to meet you: Fleetwood and Barnsley have never met in a competitive football match, despite more than 230 years of history between them.
All games are 7:45pm kick-offs unless stated