Sky Bet League One is back with a full fixture programme this Saturday, as Sunderland host Portsmouth in arguably the game of the weekend at the Stadium of Light.
It will be the 110th meeting between the two clubs, with the Lads having won 39 to Pompey’s 35 – with some entertaining recent meetings. Phil Parkinson’s team sit fifth in the table on 14 points – albeit with a game in hand on the current top four and remaining the last unbeaten side in the division. Kenny Jackett’s visitors are hot in their away form, and slot in at eighth with 11 points after seven games.
League One’s fixtures this weekend represent a huge opportunity for Sunderland, with the four sides above us all facing off against one another. League leaders Hull City host Peterborough United at the KCOM, having won six of their seven matches this campaign. The Posh are in blistering form having won their last four, and could pull level on points with their opponents with another victory.
It’s also a second-against-third clash at the LNER Stadium, as Lincoln City take on Ipswich Town – both sides sitting pretty on 16 points. Lincoln returned to winning ways against Plymouth Argyle in the week after two games without victory, whilst Ipswich slipped to a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Doncaster Rovers.
Doncaster themselves make up the last of the top six, a point and a place below the Black Cats – having also played just six league matches. They host a Crewe side who came away with a narrow defeat from the Stadium of Light on Tuesday night, with Darren Moore’s men high on confidence after their convincing win over Ipswich.
Blackpool take on Milton Keynes Dons at Bloomfield Road, with both sides looking to climb out of the relegation zone after slow starts. MK secured their first win of the season over Gillingham last Saturday, but were beaten by fellow strugglers Oxford United in the week whilst the Seasiders fell to a 1-0 home defeat by Charlton Athletic.
Wigan Athletic will be seeking the end of a run of three league defeats, as they invite Plymouth to take the long trip to the DW Stadium. Peterborough were the last side to take all three points from Lancashire on Tuesday night, whilst Plymouth were beaten by Lincoln, despite still sitting ninth in the table.
AROUND THE GROUNDS (KO Saturday 3pm unless stated)
Gillingham v Fleetwood Town (1pm)
Accrington Stanley P-P Bristol Rovers – postponed due to coronavirus
Blackpool v Milton Keynes Dons
Burton Albion v AFC Wimbledon
Doncaster Rovers v Crewe Alexandra
Hull City v Peterborough United
Lincoln City v Ipswich Town
Northampton Town v Charlton Athletic
Oxford United v Swindon Town
Shrewsbury Town v Rochdale
SUNDERLAND v Portsmouth
Wigan Athletic v Plymouth Argyle