Tuesday night’s League One fixtures delivered underdog victories, shocks and entertainment throughout. Now, ahead of today’s games, five of our writers have predicted five of the best games across the division with the aim of getting them right.
Let’s see what they predicted below.
League One Predictions
Ashley’s League One Prediction
Stockport County and Burton Albion face each other at Edgeley Park this weekend with both teams looking for the victory which will move them up plenty of spaces in the league table with it being so early in the season.
Stockport, who currently sit in 8th place just two points underneath the play off spots, have the chance to get themselves back on form after losing out at home to Bradford City, especially after going ahead in the early doors.
Despite this, Stockport have got off to a flying start with them beating Bolton Wanderers 2-0 in their opening game, followed by a 1-2 victory away to Wycombe Wanderers and finally an EFL Cup victory against league two leaders Crewe Alexandra beating them 3-1.
Therefore, Stockport will be looking to gain another crucial 3 points to get back on form.
Meanwhile, Burton Albion are placed in 16th and have managed to also lose just 1 game in their first 4 of the season. Picking up a vital 2-1 win in their opening game at home against Mansfield Town, they were looking to continue their perfect start to the campaign where they were 0-2 up against Barnsley at Oakwell, however the away side eventually fumbled and conceded in the dying moments of the game to be handed their first loss of the season despite their two goal deficit.
Burton next faced Port Vale where they drew in a disappointing 0-0 draw with the away side going down to 10 men in the early doors with Burton not being able to capitalise on it, as their next game saw them go through in the next round of the EFL Cup against Tranmere Rovers on penalties after being held to a tight 1-1 stalemate.
If the Hatters manage to pick up a victory in this game, they have the potential to step into the playoffs if results go their way elsewhere. If Burton Albion manage to find their way to victory in this affair, they could jump to 10th place and widen the gap away from relegation spots to 6 points.
Considering Stockport County’s great home record and squad talent despite their recent home defeat, I predict them to edge Burton Albion out of the game and find their way to victory in an impressive 2-0 home win against Burton Albion
Ashley’s Prediction: Stockport County 2-0 Burton Albion
Myles’ League One Prediction
Alex Revell’s Stevenage side will be aiming to extend their flawless start to the new campaign when they make the trip north to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday. The Stags have been clinical and resilient in equal measure so far, but this encounter represents their toughest test yet against a club with Championship pedigree.
Huddersfield Town, meanwhile, come into the clash with renewed confidence after bouncing back from their defeat to Blackpool. A solid 2–0 victory over Yorkshire rivals Doncaster Rovers in midweek will have lifted spirits in the Terriers’ camp, and Lee Grant will be keen to see his side build momentum in front of their home support.
The meeting sets up an intriguing contrast of styles. Stevenage have thrived on organisation, high intensity, and sharp attacking transitions this season, while Huddersfield will look to dominate possession and make their quality in up top count. For Revell’s men, maintaining their early-season energy and composure on a bigger stage will be the key to keeping their winning run intact.
With Huddersfield eager to assert themselves as promotion contenders and Stevenage desperate to prove their early form isn’t a flash in the pan, the ingredients are all in place for a compelling contest in West Yorkshire. Stevenage continue to carry the ball aloft and attack via set pieces and aerial routes. They’re currently the division’s most frequent long-ball team and a standout for aerial duels won. Additionally, they’ve yet to concede from a set-piece all season, showing their robustness and ability to neutralise deliveries into the box.
That being said, if any team in the league has the ability to find a way through this Stevenage back line, it’s Huddersfield. Their attack is brimming with talent, from Alfie May to Marcus Harness there will be plenty of players looking to get on the scoresheet.
Impressive as it has been, Stevenage’s run has to come to an end eventually. I can see Huddersfield being the team to final make the Stags drop points, but it won’t be easy for the Terriers in their own back yard.
Myles’ Prediction – Huddersfield Town 2-1 Stevenage
Jamie’s League One Prediction
Wycombe and Reading face off at Adams Park in what could turn out to be a crucial game so early on in the season.
Wanderers and The Royals have had tough starts to their respective seasons – Reading only picked up their first point on Wednesday at Bolton, while Wycombe had a night to forget after they couldn’t capitalise on a dominant performance with a 1-0 loss at home to Exeter on the previous night.
Some Wycombe fans are starting to lose patience with head coach Mike Dodds, with issues from team selection to tactical decisions looking like the main issues for The Chairboys faithful. 1 point from a possible 12 so far is the only statistic that will matter to the Buckinghamshire side, despite having some of the highest possession and xG stats across the division.
Dodds’ side seem to be leaving themselves too much to do during games – a mix of going a couple of goals behind before really getting into the game and simply not being able to put the ball in the back of the net seems to be the biggest hindrance thus far. The loss of Richard Kone seems to be hitting them big time, with only one fit senior striker currently in the squad not helping them in the search for goals.
Armando Quintrna will be scratching his head as to how he is yet to get a start this season – a goal at Doncaster alongside other eye-catching substitute appearances still hasn’t convinced Mike Dodds to grant him a start – which is something the fans are also questioning with the struggles in front of goal, as they believe a tricky and direct winger who can create a handful of chances should aid their desperation.
Across the border in Berkshire, Reading haven’t had much luck themselves – until Wednesday evening that was, when 17-year-old Andre Garcia rescued their first point in 4 games. They’ve had an almost identical start to their hosts this weekend, scoring just one less goal in the process to Wycombe’s 3.
Noel Hunt’s side have struggled to get their season up and running, with his squad not looking as tight and focused as he needs them to be.
Particularly in their game against AFC Wimbledon, they seem to be looking at main man Lewis Wing to pick out a spectacular 30/40 yard pass to open up opposition defences, as the former Wycombe midfielder seems to be playing a much deeper role in the opening few games, suppressing his chances to show his talent in the middle of the park and fully control the game.
A similar game plan was seen at Bolton, with Reading fans crying out for a change in tactics – or at least the ability to adapt in-game.
The Royals were lucky their hosts weren’t clinical, otherwise they may have been out of sight by the time Garcia popped up with their goal, but sometimes football can become a game of luck and a slice of that can change everything. It gives the visitors something to build on ahead of the weekend, but back-to-back away games to Bolton and Wycombe are hardly easy fixtures within this division.
A lack of confidence and cohesion in the squad could spell trouble, but the tools are most certainly there to lift themselves up and out of this early poor form if they can make it click together.
It’s been very underwhelming for both sets of fans, but a win on Saturday afternoon could kick start one of their seasons, leaving the opposition with a much differing outlook. With both sides desperate for some much needed points, I can see a scrappy contest playing out in South Buckinghamshire with both sides feeling like they could’ve come away with more post-match
Jamie’s Prediction: Wycombe Wanderers 1-1 Reading
Owen’s League One Prediction
Luton and Cardiff meet again this time in League One after both teams relegation
last season and are both looking for a return to the second tier.
Both have had decent starts so far this season with Cardiff sitting second, with three
wins and a draw whilst Luton sit sixth with three wins and a loss.
I see the game being very tight and scrappy but i think it will be the home side to pick
up the three points.
Owen’s Prediction: Luton Town 1-0 Cardiff
Joe’s League One Prediction
Two teams in desperate need of a result meet this weekend at Home Park, as 23rd place Plymouth Argyle play host to Blackpool, who currently sit in 18th.
Blackpool kick started their season last weekend with a battling victory over then league leaders Huddersfield Town, before normal business resumed with a poor performance away to Mansfield on Tuesday.
Plymouth are one of just two sides yet to get off the mark in League One, with defeat midweek at home to Leyton Orient securing the Pilgrim’s fourth loss in as many league games. The Devon club has been in a period of transition following relegation and results need to improve, fast.
Both sides may come into the game with new men leading their lines. Argyle announced the signing of Swiss striker Lorent Tolaj from EFL League One rivals Port Vale on Friday evening, whilst the suspension of former Pilgrim Niall Ennis means million pound man Dale Taylor is likely to start up front for the Seasiders. Both men will see this game as a great chance to get their accounts up and running for their new clubs.
With both clubs needing a result to get some momentum going, I’d expect a rather even game. Plymouth may look to exploit Blackpool’s weakness at set-pieces, whilst Blackpool’s strikers will relish the chance to face the only defence in the league leakier than their own.
Blackpool’s performance against Huddersfield showed that once it clicks, there is a good side there. An out of sorts Plymouth side may present the perfect chance for the Seasiders to prove this again. In contrast, Argyle cannot afford another loss should they harbour hopes of an instant return to the Championship.
Joe’s Prediction – Plymouth Argyle 2-2 Blackpool
Thank you for reading our League One predictions.
