Gary Caldwell is aiming to make it two wins from two since returning to Wigan when the Latics visit Stockport.
In-form Plymouth could put a dent in Cardiff’s title hopes when the teams clash at Home Park.
Northampton and Leyton Orient meet in a potential crucial relegation six-pointer, with both clubs hoping to pull clear of the drop zone.
The dust is still settling following another eventual midweek fixture slate in League One, though the division serves up another 12 matches on Saturday afternoon, with a trio of contests kicking off at lunchtime.
The other nine games have been given traditional 3pm slots, including Rotherham vs Doncaster and derby games between Blackpool and Blackpool (Lancashire), and Huddersfield vs Barnsley (Yorkshire).
As per the usual format, we’ve got League One predictions and tips for all 12 of Saturday’s fixtures from England’s third tier.
Plymouth vs Cardiff (Saturday, 12:30pm)
Plymouth played with a swagger in their 3-1 win at Leyton Orient in midweek and return to Home Park this weekend, having taken a full six-point haul from back-to-back away games. With their confidence peaking, Argyle could pose a challenge to leaders Cardiff, who have dropped points in four of their last six away assignments.
Score prediction: Plymouth 2-2 Cardiff
Rotherham vs Doncaster (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Rotherham’s 1-0 loss to relegation rivals Burton on Tuesday felt like a significant defeat and the vulnerable Millers, who have won only once in seven attempts at home, could toil again. In contrast, Doncaster continue to rise and their 1-0 triumph over playoff hopefuls Huddersfield in midweek was their fourth win in seven matches. Rovers can maintain their momentum here.
Score prediction: Rotherham 0-1 Doncaster
Wycombe vs Stevenage (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Wycombe escaped Exeter with a point on Tuesday despite conceding 20 shots, though Wanderers have been more reliable at home, where they have won three of their last four games. Stevenage also enjoy home comforts and enjoyed successive wins at the Lamex Stadium over the last seven days. They are a different animal on the road however, and could lose their sixth straight away fixture here.
Score prediction: Wycombe 2-1 Stevenage
AFC Wimbledon vs Bradford (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Leaky Wimbledon conceded seven goals in two away games at Barnsley (3-3) and Cardiff (1-4) over the past week, though a better result could be on offer if they tighten up against Bradford. The visitors have lost five of their last six games on the road and their travel sickness could hamper them again on Saturday.
Score prediction: AFC Wimbledon 1-0 Bradford
Bolton vs Blackpool (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
A 95th-minute intervention from sub Mason Burstow allowed Bolton to snatch a point at Reading in midweek and the playoff hopefuls can get back to winning ways in Saturday’s Lancashire Derby against Blackpool. Only Leyton Orient (10) have collected fewer points on the road than the Tangerines (11) this term, while Bolton have lost at home just once in League One all season.
Score prediction: Bolton 2-1 Blackpool
Huddersfield vs Barnsley (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Huddersfield’s playoff pursuit was slowed by back-to-back defeats on the road over the past week, though they could steady themselves with a victory at home to Yorkshire neighbours Barnsley. The Tykes have gone seven away matches without success and have failed to win 11 out of 14 tussles on their travels overall in League One since August.
Score prediction: Huddersfield 1-0 Barnsley
Luton vs Burton Albion (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Luton didn’t have much joy at Cardiff (1-3) and Wigan (0-1) in their last two outings, but back at Kenilworth Road, the Hatters have a chance to reset. Luton haven’t lost at that venue since October 18th, that’s a run of 14 games in all competitions without defeat. They’ve dropped only two of the last 18 point on offer on their own patch and Luton can see off relegation contenders Burton here.
Score prediction: Luton 2-0 Burton Albion
Mansfield vs Lincoln (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Jaded by their fantastic FA Cup giant-killing at Burnley last weekend, Mansfield lost 1-0 at Blackpool in midweek, and that was the third time in four League One fixtures where Town failed to score. Title-chasing Lincoln have scored four times in two of their last three league tests and in Jack Moylan, who has notched six goals and two assists in his last seven starts, they have one of the division’s form players. City can outgun their hosts in this one.
Score prediction: Mansfield 0-2 Lincoln
Northampton vs Leyton Orient (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Two of the division’s bottom four collide at Sixfields Stadium when Northampton take on Leyton Orient. The hosts lost heavily against Lincoln (0-4) last time out, but put together a three-game unbeaten streak before that. Leyton Orient meanwhile, have lost four of their last five matches and still hold League One’s worst away record. It makes sense to side with the Cobblers on Saturday.
Score prediction: Northampton 1-0 Leyton Orient
Peterborough vs Exeter (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Peterborough still have realistic designs on finishing in the playoff spots, though they need to get their act together following a run of four losses in six games. Exeter lost manager Gary Caldwell to Wigan earlier this week, but were resolute under caretaker boss Dan Green in their 1-1 draw with Wycombe in midweek. That was City’s fourth stalemate in five matches and the Grecians could earn another share of the spoils this weekend.
Score prediction: Peterborough 1-1 Exeter
Port Vale vs Reading (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Port Vale’s reverse to Stevenage on Tuesday was their 17th loss of the campaign and they remain firmly rooted to the foot of the League One Table. An improving Reading meanwhile, have lost just once in seven fixtures and they held a strong Bolton side to a 1-1 draw in midweek in a result that highlighted their growing momentum. The Royals have a chance to strengthen their playoff push here.
Score prediction: Port Vale 1-2 Reading
Stockport vs Wigan (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Gary Caldwell enjoyed the perfect start to his second stint in the Wigan hotseat in midweek when he masterminded a 1-0 win over Luton. Caldwell used a 3-5-2 formation against the Hatters, with a focus on defensive solidity, though they counter-attacked well when opportunities arose. A similar gameplan could cause issues for Stockport, who failed to score in each of their last two games.
Score prediction: Stockport 0-0 Wigan
