Sunderland will look to return to winning ways this Saturday as we face Gillingham in the early kick-off at the Priestfield Stadium. The Lads will look to lift ourselves back into the top six with three points in Kent, as Gills look to put an end to a run of four straight defeats without registering a goal. The early kick-off follows a 2-2 draw for Phil Parkinson’s men at Rochdale on Tuesday night, whilst Gills were narrowly beaten 1-0 at Ipswich Town.
League leaders Lincoln City travel to Doncaster Rovers – the hosts will be tricky customers having picked up some impressive results in the early stages of the season, although successive defeats have dropped Darren Moore’s side to ninth. Lincoln have won their last three and have soared to the summit on 22 points, considered the division’s surprise package in the first two months of the campaign.
Hull City come in at second as we enter the final matchweek of October, having put their home reverse by Peterborough United behind them to run out 3-1 winners at Bristol Rovers in the week – all three of their substitutes coming on to score. They travel to a struggling Swindon Town side who sit third from bottom, but have not played since October 20’s defeat to Northampton Town due to Covid-19.
Portsmouth host Charlton Athletic at Fratton Park on Saturday in an intriguing clash in the top six between two in-form sides, as Pompey look to extend their advantage over the Addicks to four points. Kenny Jackett’s side have won four of their last five including last weekend’s victory at the Stadium of Light and thrashed Northampton 4-0 on Tuesday night, as Charlton secured a fourth straight victory – 2-0 over Oxford United.
Our last opponents Rochdale take on Bristol Rovers – Dale are in fearless form, slowly moving up the table following their slow start, and go into the game facing a Rovers outfit level on 11 points and one place above on goal difference. Rovers’ midweek loss to Hull signalled an end of an impressive unbeaten run.
An alluring contest takes place at Stadium MK as Milton Keynes Dons take on AFC Wimbledon – a derby clash which takes little explanation. This will only be the 10th meeting between the two sides, with Wimbledon looking to claim their third win and move on from their current 11th-place berth in the division – MK sitting in 17th.
AROUND THE GROUNDS (KO Saturday 3pm unless stated)
Gillingham v SUNDERLAND (1pm)
Accrington Stanley P-P Plymouth Argyle – postponed due to coronavirus
Burton Albion v Blackpool
Doncaster Rovers v Lincoln City
Fleetwood Town v Oxford United
Ipswich Town v Crewe Alexandra
Milton Keynes Dons v AFC Wimbledon
Peterborough United v Shrewsbury Town
Portsmouth v Charlton Athletic
Rochdale v Bristol Rovers
Swindon Town v Hull City
Wigan Athletic v Northampton Town