One round of fixtures down; just 45 to go! On to Matchday 2, where clubs will either be playing in front of their own fans for the first time this season — or facing their first test on the road. Here’s the preview…
New boys
Luton Town play a League One match at Kenilworth Road for the first time since May 2008, a 1-0 defeat at home to Huddersfield Town which saw them relegated to English football’s fourth tier.
Ten years later, the Hatters are back and will be looking to get off the mark following last week’s 1-0 defeat at Portsmouth — but optimism remains after an impressive showing at Fratton Park.
Sunderland enjoyed their last league visit to Luton, putting five past their hosts to seal the Championship title in 2007. The Black Cats tasted success on the opening day, beating Charlton Athletic 2-1 to register their first come-from-behind victory in 47 games.
Coast to coast
Blackpool produced a dogged display to come away from Wycombe Wanderers with a point on the opening day, but they now return home to welcome fellow seaside town Portsmouth from the South Coast.
Since that draw at Adams Park, Gary Bowyer has left his role as boss, and it will now be down to caretaker Terry McPhillips to oversee matters until the Seasiders place a new man at the helm.
Pompey will be hoping to take advantage and build on their opening day victory. Winger David Wheeler has been drafted in from QPR since then, adding further strength to Kenny Jackett’s squad.
Around the Grounds
There’s a Yorkshire derby between Bradford City and Barnsley, with both teams protecting perfect records after new bosses Michael Collins and Daniel Stendel guided their sides to fine opening day victories.
On the road go three of the four newly promoted clubs; Wycombe Wanderers go to Doncaster Rovers, Coventry City visit AFC Wimbledon, while Accrington Stanley travel to Bristol Rovers — the club that denied them promotion to League One in the final minute of the 2015/16 season.
Scunthorpe United and Walsall both came from behind to win their opener, and they go head-to-head at Glanford Park, while Rochdale and Peterborough United meet at Spotland following 2-1 wins on the opening day.
Elsewhere, several teams are guaranteed to get off the mark; Charlton Athletic versus Shrewsbury Town, Oxford United versus Fleetwood Town and Plymouth Argyle versus Southend United are all matches between sides who lost their opener.
Saturday 11 August 2018
AFC Wimbledon v Coventry City
Blackpool v Portsmouth
Bradford City v Barnsley
Bristol Rovers v Accrington Stanley
Charlton Athletic v Shrewsbury Town
Doncaster Rovers v Wycombe Wanderers
Gillingham v Burton Albion
Luton Town v Sunderland
Oxford United v Fleetwood Town
Plymouth Argyle v Southend United
Rochdale v Peterborough United
Scunthorpe United v Walsall