Last weekend, in League One, teams from across the league delivered moments that fans will never forget. Now, following a mid-week full of Carabao Cup fixtures, the focus turns towards this week’s fixtures.
Ahead of the weekend, five of our writers have picked five of the best League One fixtures and have predicted them.
Let’s find out what they said.
League One Predictions: Gameweek Six
Ashley’s Prediction
Cardiff City and Plymouth Argyle face each other at the Cardiff City stadium this weekend with book teams looking for that vital victory which will be crucial towards their league placements so early on in the season
Cardiff City, who currently sit in first place could have the opportunity to widen the gap to 4 points at the top of the table if they manage to find victory against Plymouth Argyle, and especially if results go their way
Looking to carry on their winning ways in their clash this weekend, the Bluebirds have previously managed to get off to a flying start to the season finding four wins in five, including two recent away victories where they won 0-1 against AFC Wimbledon and Luton Town.
Whilst top of the league, Cardiff have also managed to avoid defeat in all competitions which will give them high hopes and momentum to carry on their magnificent form.
Therefore, the home side will be looking to cause a huge amount of threat towards gaining another crucial win towards their run this season in their EFL League One campaign
Meanwhile, Plymouth Argyle have had quite the opposite start to the season as they have recorded just 1 recent win all season as they sit 19th in the league table.
With an opening day defeat at home against Barnsley, followed by back to back league defeats away to Bolton and Lincoln, devastation from their supporters led them to go against the club and force them to change their performances quickly as they were dropping down the league table winless. Furthermore, following a 0-1 home defeat against Leyton Orient, aspects really needed to change.
Finally, the board decided to make some more statement signings to try and lift the squad, including signing proven forward Lorent Tolaj from Port Vale who looks like a very promising talent with plenty of potential.
With more signings and high expectations from the supporters with a change in form, Plymouth finally managed to get their first win of the season at home in their recent battle against Blackpool, where they have found new inspiration and momentum which they will attempt to maintain in their next league game.
Looking to turn their shocking form around at their beginning of the campaign, the Pilgrims next face Cardiff who sit top of the league where they will attempt to utilise their new signings and get off to a new winning start matching their hopes and expectations this weekend
Ashley’s prediction – Cardiff City 2-1 Plymouth Argyle
Myles’ Prediction
Saturday will see the Terriers travel to the Tykes in what promises to be a vital early season clash at the top end of the League One table. Both Yorkshire rivals have made impressive starts to the campaign, with just two points separating Huddersfield in 2nd and Barnsley in 6th.
Given the stakes and the rivalry, this has all the makings of a tense, tightly contested affair. The atmosphere at Oakwell is expected to be electric, and that intensity could translate into a cagey opening on the pitch. With both sides being desperate to lay down a marker, that urgency could also breed caution, at least early on.
That said, with the attacking talent on both teams, it’s difficult to imagine either side keeping a clean sheet. Huddersfield’s forward line has looked sharp in recent weeks, while Barnsley have shown they can create chances from very little. However, the Tykes have looked vulnerable at the back at times this season, and this could be their biggest test of the season so far.
It’s a tough one to call, but Huddersfield seem to carry slightly more momentum and composure at both ends of the pitch. That might just give them the edge in what could be a hard-fought contest. Barnsley’s performance has dipped in recent games and without new additions to the squad they are in danger of plateauing early.
They will have to be on the top of their game to come away with all three points. My mind is swinging back and forth on who will come out on top, the result boiling down to who turns up on the day in what is guaranteed to be a passion fuelled Yorkshire Derby.
As a Barnsley fan, I’m hoping The Reds can come away with a win, but the realistic cynic in me is saying Huddersfield’s quality will be too much for a mistake prone Barnsley back line.
Myles’ Prediction: Barnsley 1-2 Huddersfield Town
Jamie’s Prediction
Two teams with very differing starts to the season face off at The Lamex on Saturday, as surprise early leaders Stevenage host early strugglers Wycombe Wanderers.
Not many would’ve been expecting The Boro to be up near the top of League One, but some excellent performances left them top of the table with a 100% record after four games, before they were beaten by a strong Huddersfield side in a tight affair. Victories away from home at Blackpool and Port Vale, coupled with home wins against Rotherham and Northampton, see them sit 3rd – conceding just 4 goals so far, scoring double of that amount.
Plenty of predictions had the hosts lingering towards the bottom and fighting relegation in their third consecutive season at this level, but they’ve done the most at proving those predictions wrong as Alex Revell’s side slip under the radar amongst some of the biggest clubs.
Stevenage were one of the many clubs in the division that recruited well over the summer, signing a new number one in Filip Marschall and adding former Plymouth midfielder Jordan Houghton – while ever-present striker Jamie Reid has already struck the 5 goal mark after the same amount of games.
Bez Lubala and Jasper Pattenden could be in line to face their former club after both left Wycombe over the summer, but neither have seen many minutes in Stevenage shirt so far.
It’s been very differing fortunes for Wycombe though, as they still search for their first three points of the season. A midweek win in the cup at Bromley may bring some confidence, but they did need penalties against lower tier opposition to make it through.
Head coach Mike Dodds has been coming under increasing pressure from a section of The Chairboys faithful, with 2 draws and 3 losses seeing them loom in the relegation zone – somewhere they’d like to be far away from come the business end of the season.
It’s yet to be seen if their new system really is effective as they need it to be, but with more minutes together and key players coming back from injuries, it may not be long before we see the full potential of The Wanderers.
Magnus Westergaard and Ewan Henderson both featured on Tuesday night after their respective injuries and impressed in the midfield along with Caolan Boyd-Munce – a department that is crucial to Dodds’ style of play.
Despite the improvements in the middle of the park, a lack of striking power seems to be the biggest issue for the Buckinghamshire side as they seem to fall short when trying to convert possession and chances into goals.
I don’t think it’ll be long before Wycombe finally click and get their season really going, but I think this weekend might be a familiar story to the opening set of fixtures.
Their lack of chance conversion coupled with facing a clinical side who have had a near perfect start isn’t going to help their cause – I think Stevenage will have enough to get past Wycombe, but it certainly won’t be a one sided affair.
Jamie’s Prediction: Stevenage 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers
Joe’s Prediction
Saturday’s early kick off offers up a tasty South Yorkshire Derby, with Rotherham making the short trip to the Eco Power Stadium to face Doncaster in League One.
Both teams suffered vastly differing fortunes last season; Rotherham struggled following relegation from the Championship, whilst Doncaster sealed a return to League One by being crowned Champions. The start both sides have made seemingly reflects the mood surrounding the clubs, with Doncaster sitting in 8th, whilst Rotherham find themselves in 19th.
Doncaster have lost just once in all competitions this season, a 2-0 defeat away at Huddersfield, whilst conversely, Rotherham have only won once in all competitions, having opened their season with a 2-1 triumph over Port Vale. Whilst their two defeats have come against relatively strong sides in Stevenage and Cardiff, early signs are pointing towards another difficult season for Millers fans.
As noted, Doncaster still possess the early season confidence symbolic of a promoted side. I feel it would be unfair to forget, however, that the teams they have faced (aside from their 4-0 thrashing of Middlesbrough in the EFL cup) appear as much easier sides than those faced by Rotherham, at least on paper.
In my opinion, Doncaster’s resolve will only truly be tested once they face a side destined for a top six finish. Whilst Rotherham will bring a strong backing on Saturday, they may be let down once again on the pitch, as I don’t see them being the side that brings Donny back to earth. Although the early kick off always brings up some surprises, I’d back Doncaster to get the job done.
Joe’s prediction – Doncaster Rovers 1-0 Rotherham United
Owen’s Prediction
Northampton will look to continue their good form after their first victory of the season
last weekend as they travel to Leyton Orient.
Orient will be looking to bounce back after a 4-1 thrashing away at Mansfield and will
be looking to emulate the form that got them a precious victory away at Plymouth.
The Cobblers, before last week’s win, were struggling only having scored one
goal in four games.
I think the good form will continue for Northampton and they will win comfortably.
Owen’s Prediction: Northampton Town 2-0 Leyton Orient
Thank you for reading our EFL League One predictions.
