It’s a jam-packed afternoon of Sky Bet League One action this Boxing Day as all 24 teams take to the field for Matchday 23.
The action kicks off at 1pm with Southend United playing host to AFC Wimbledon. Phil Brown’s side are on a 10-match unbeaten streak in the EFL, and victory will move them into the top seven ahead of the remaining matches.In a battle towards the top, first travel to fourth as Bradford City welcome Scunthorpe United to Valley Parade. The division’s top scorer, Josh Morris, will face his former employers for the first time since joining the Iron over the summer.
Those two clubs are currently separated in the table by Sheffield United (second) and Bolton Wanderers (third), who are both at home to two of the division’s struggling sides. Rock-bottom Oldham Athletic visit Bramall Lane, while the third-placed Trotters host Shrewsbury Town.
Elsewhere, Bury, who have lost their last 12 league fixtures and sit in the bottom four, travel to Fleetwood Town, and Coventry City face an away trip to Bristol Rovers after appointing Russell Slade as their new manager.
Sky Bet League One: Matchday 23 fixtures (3pm kick-off unless stated)
Monday 26th December 2016
Bolton Wanderers v Shrewsbury Town
Bradford City v Scunthorpe United
Bristol Rovers v Coventry City
Fleetwood Town v Bury
Millwall v Swindon Town
Milton Keynes Dons v Charlton Athletic
Oxford United v Northampton Town
Peterborough United v Gillingham
Port Vale v Walsall
Rochdale v Chesterfield
Sheffield United v Oldham Athletic
Southend United v AFC Wimbledon (1pm)
Referees: Click here to see the match officials on duty
Five facts
1. Bolton and Shrewsbury have not met in a league fixture since February 1992 when the Wanderers were 1-0 victors. Their only meeting since then was an EFL Cup Round One fixture in 2013 and the Trotters won that too, making it five straight wins versus the Shrews.
2. Bradford and Scunthorpe have met twice before on Boxing Day in the EFL. They played out a goalless draw at the home of the Bantams in 1975, but 20 years earlier the teams produced a thriller, when the Yorkshire hosts ran out 4-3 victors.
3. DWDDW — that’s Bury’s record over their previous five Boxing Day fixtures. However, they have faced Fleetwood four times in history and have never got the better of the Cod Army.
4. Swindon are without victory against Millwall in their previous seven fixtures. One of those defeats came at Wembley in the 2010 League One Play-Off Final, when Paul Robinson’s goal was enough to secure promotion for the Lions.
5. The clash between Oxford and Northampton on Boxing Day is the 25th league meeting between the two clubs. The Cobblers hold a slight advantage with 12 wins to the U’s 10, and won both encounters last season in Sky Bet League Two.
From the dugout
Social media
📹 | Phil Brown on yesterday's hospital visit, the signing of Zavon Hines and injury updates on Cox & Ranger 🔵⚽️ - https://t.co/7DhY173lPUpic.twitter.com/hw1uOBp1lG
— Southend United (@SUFCRootsHall) December 21, 2016
🎄 SPECIAL VISIT: #ftfc visited @BrianHouseCH yesterday afternoon in what was a superb day for all! ➡️ https://t.co/StQdBQRyNUpic.twitter.com/MXg4IstW2x
— Fleetwood Town FC (@ftfc) December 21, 2016
ADVENT: Today Christmas Lenny is working with Analyst Adam Henshall as we build up for the game against @OfficialBWFC#saloppic.twitter.com/CYStRPSZry
— Shrewsbury Town FC (@shrewsweb) December 21, 2016
Happy Birthday to our @brandon3_O, who turns the big 2️⃣1️⃣ today! Have a brilliant day, BOO! 🎉🎉🎈🎈 pic.twitter.com/EF4xi9OJ4M
— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) December 21, 2016
Follow, follow, follow…🎥 | "It's a massive game for everyone. We need to do our talking on the pitch." - the boss looks ahead to tonight's local derby. #cafcpic.twitter.com/7JLgzduudB
— Charlton Athletic FC (@CAFCofficial) December 21, 2016
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