Not one, but two days of League One action coming up this weekend, with a Sunday fixture adding to a busy Saturday afternoon. Here's a look ahead to it all...
Case for the defence
Two teams in League One are yet to concede a goal, but something may well give this weekend at Oakwell.
Barnsley have laid down an early marker with two wins and six goals without letting anything through at the other end, while AFC Wimbledon won at Fleetwood Town on the opening day before playing out a goalless stalemate against Coventry City last week.
As for the history books, nothing to see here. This will be the first time the two clubs have ever locked horns in professional football.
Sunday showing
Following Thursday night’s Carabao Cup tie, Sunderland have got an extra day of rest and will be hoping to add another home win following their opening day success at the Stadium of Light.
They face a Scunthorpe United side who have an identical record so far — a 2-1 win in their season opener, followed by a 1-1 draw. The Iron have reached the Play-Offs in each of the last two campaigns, and will provide another stern test for the Black Cats’ young squad.
These two clubs haven’t met since an FA Cup tie in 1987, and you have to go all the way back to 1963 for the last EFL meeting. On that midweek in September, with Roker Park the venue, Sunderland came out on top by a goal to nil.
Around the grounds
Several teams have made perfect starts to the new season, and one of those is Portsmouth. Pompey are back at Fratton Park where they will play host to Oxford United, who have scored zero, conceded six, and prop up the League One table.
Doncaster Rovers have won both matches, and Mallik Willis made it three goals in three games during a midweek Cup win at Scunthorpe — they go to Burton Albion, who have lost both fixtures since returning to the division following relegation last term.
Peterborough United and Gillingham are the other sides with two wins from two — Posh host winless Luton Town, while the Gills go to Walsall, who have won one and drawn one in an unbeaten start to the campaign.
As for teams aiming to get off the mark, Shrewsbury Town host Blackpool, and Bristol Rovers visit Wycombe Wanderers. The Chairboys have a point on the board, but are yet to score since returning to League One.
Saturday 18 August 2018
Accrington Stanley v Charlton Athletic
Barnsley v AFC Wimbledon
Burton Albion v Doncaster Rovers
Coventry City v Plymouth Argyle
Fleetwood Town v Rochdale
Peterborough United v Luton Town
Portsmouth v Oxford United
Shrewsbury Town v Blackpool
Southend United v Bradford City
Walsall v Gillingham
Wycombe Wanderers v Bristol Rovers
Sunday 19 August 2018
Sunderland v Scunthorpe United