We look ahead to the weekend action in Sky Bet League 1
Saturday 27th September 2014Barnsley v Swindon Town
The Tykes (19th – 9 points): Lost 2-1 to managerless Port Vale last time out, extending their winless run to four matches. They've registered three points from their first three home games. Midfielder Connor Hourihane is their form man with six goals in six games.
The Robins (4th – 15 points): Thumped Sheffield United 5-2 in their most recent league outing, meaning they're now unbeaten in six. They also won 2-1 at Newport on Tuesday in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy. They possess Sky Bet League 1's best home form but on the road they've collected four points from three matches.
Double trouble: Barnsley and Swindon were last in the same division during 2005/06 and the Tykes did the double over their opponents, winning 2-0 at Oakwell before a 3-0 success at the County Ground.
Bradford City v Port Vale
The Bantams (6th – 14 points): Have picked up four points from their last two in League 1, against MK Dons and Colchester, but lost to the Dons in the Capital One Cup in midweek. They've won only one of their four games at Valley Parade so far this term.
The Valiants (21st – 8 points): Rob Page's first game in caretaker charge was a success, ending a five-game losing streak by beating Barnsley 2-1. Mark Marshall was a shining light in that match - he scored the winner.
Bristol City v Milton Keynes Dons
The Robins (1st – 21 points): A 3-3 draw at Fleetwood last time out brought their four-match winning streak to an end, but extended their unbeaten start to the season. They've scored three goals in all of their last three matches. Aaron Wilbraham is their leading marksman with eight.
The Dons (2nd – 16 points): Are going well in the league with three wins in four and reached Round 4 of the Capital One Cup in midweek by seeing off Bradford 2-0, setting up a tie with Sheffield United.
Without a win: MK Dons are yet to beat Bristol City after seven meetings between the two. The most recent two encounters have ended 2-2.
Chesterfield v Notts County
The Spireites (5th – 14 points): Lost 3-2 at Doncaster after two wins and two draws in their previous four. Eoin Doyle has 11 goals so far and he's scored five of the six goals Chesterfield have scored at home this term.
The Magpies (16th – 10 points): Are fast becoming Sky Bet League 1's draw specialists, sharing the spoils in their most recent three, against Peterborough, Leyton Orient and Oldham. They are yet to lose on the road this term.
Three of a kind: Notts County have won the last three league meetings between these two.
Coventry City v Preston North End
The Sky Blues (11th – 12 points): Have lost their last two away games so will be glad to be back at the Ricoh this weekend – they've won both of their games at the stadium since moving back from Northampton. Their record so far reads three wins, three draws, three defeats, with 10 goals scored and 10 conceded.
The Lilywhites (8th – 13 points): Have reacted well after their defeat to Walsall a couple of weeks ago by taking four points from their most recent two outings, beating Crawley 2-0 last time out.
Score draw: Coventry and Preston's last three meetings have finished level. They battled out a thrilling 4-4 draw in this fixture during 2013/14.
Crawley Town v Yeovil Town
The Reds (18th – 10 points): Are struggling in front of goal and that has seen them slide down the table after a winning start to the campaign. They lost 2-0 to Preston last weekend but could have Josh Simpson and Lanre Oyebanjo back from injury.
The Glovers (13th – 12 points): Secured a morale-boosting victory against Peterborough last weekend, meaning they have suffered a defeat just once in seven. They've only met Crawley twice and are yet to lose to them, taking four points during 2012/13.
Goal-shy: Crawley have only scored four times this season, three of which have been netted by Izale McLeod. All four of those goals have come in the second half, and they are yet to net twice in one outing.
Crewe Alexandra v Colchester United
The Railwaymen (24th – 4 points): Have failed to build on their first victory, against Port Vale, drawing to Yeovil and losing 6-1 against MK Dons since. They have now shipped a league-worst 21 goals in their opening eight matches, which has prompted the loan of Swansea defender Alan Tate.
The U's (23rd – 6 points): Have also drawn and lost in their last two after registering their first win, against Leyton Orient. Four of their six points have been collected on the road.
History favours the U's, sort of: Colchester lead the head-to-head record 25-16, alongside seven draws, but Crewe are unbeaten against their weekend opponents in 11 league meetings, stretching back to October 1992.
Leyton Orient v Rochdale
The O's (17th – 10 points): Managerless after Russell Slade tendered his resignation. They are yet to get going this term with two wins, two defeats and four draws. They have the division's worst home form having registered just one point from their three matches in front of their own fans.
Dale (7th – 13 points): Back-to-back wins without conceding has lifted them to within touching distance of the Play-Off contingent. Ten of their 16 goals have come on the road this term but they haven't overcome Orient in five clashes, losing four of those.
Oldham Athletic v Scunthorpe United
The Latics (14th – 11 points): Are six games unbeaten in all competitions although their most recent three have been draws. Captain Adam Lockwood remains sidelined but has returned to training.
The Iron (22nd – 7 points): Have lost three of their last four and haven't won in six on the road, stretching back to the start of April. Defender Shaun Brisley has been brought in to sturdy a a back line that has conceded 20 goals in nine games.
Peterborough United v Fleetwood Town
The Posh (3rd – 16 points): Back-to-back away defeats has seen them go off the boil at the summit, so they'll be glad of a return to London Road this Saturday. Defender Christian Burgess and winger Jon Taylor could return to action.
The Cod Army (9th - 13 points): Have now gone six matches without a three-point haul. Two draws were followed by two defeats, and they then picked up another two draws, most recently against leaders Bristol City. They came from 3-1 down in that match, so that should give them a lift.
First things first: This will be the first ever competitive meeting between Peterborough and Fleetwood.
Sheffield United v Gillingham
The Blades (10th - 13 points): Were humbled 5-2 at Swindon last time out, which ended their five-game undefeated streak in Sky Bet League 1. They returned to winning ways in midweek, beating Leyton Orient 1-0 in the Capital One Cup.
The Gills (12th - 12 points): They remain inconsistent in the league, with three wins, three draws and three defeats. Their last outing saw them take a point against Walsall but they're without a victory on the road this term.
Happy travels: The visiting team hasn't lost in this encounter since 2001 - 10 meetings ago - when the Gills beat the Blades 4-1 at Priestfield.
Walsall v Doncaster Rovers
The Saddlers (20th - 8 points): They remain with only one win so far after that draw with Gillingham last time out - their fifth stalemate of the campaign. Midfielder James Chambers and striker Tom Bradshaw are available again after injury.
Rovers (15th - 11 points): Ended a three-match wait for a victory by overcoming Chesterfield last weekend, before running Fulham close in the Capital One Cup in midweek, losing 2-1. Forward duo Nathan Tyson and Curtis Main are still unavailable.
All games are 3pm kick-offs unless stated