Leaders Cardiff could be dislodged from top spot if they lose at Doncaster and Lincoln topple Blackpool on Saturday.
Fresh from a vital win over Northampton in midweek, bottom club Port Vale will be targeting similar at home to poor travellers Luton.
Two of the league’s bottom three sides face off at the AESSEAL New York Stadium when Rotherham host a resurgent Plymouth Argyle.
There is a full complement of 12 League One fixtures scheduled for Saturday, 28 February, and the division’s latest dozen-game round features several significant matches.
With their position at the summit under threat, Cardiff will need to shake off their recent away-day troubles when they travel to take on Doncaster, with closest chasers Lincoln ready to take advantage of any slip-up.
At the opposite end of the table, Port Vale’s meeting with Luton, Rotherham’s clash with Plymouth and Northampton’s meeting with Peterborough all have the potential to shake things up in the relegation battle.
As always, we’ve got League One predictions and tips for all of Saturday’s matches from England’s third tier.
Leyton Orient vs Barnsley (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Leyton Orient smashed and grabbed their way to a significant 2-1 win at relegation rivals Northampton last weekend and buoyed by that result, they could post a follow-up win at Barnsley’s expense. The visiting Tykes don’t tend to travel well. They’ve lost three away assignments in League One on the spin and haven’t recorded a win on the road in the division since November.
Score prediction: Leyton Orient 2-1 Barnsley
Northampton vs Peterborough (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Successive defeats inside four days to fellow relegation contenders Leyton Orient (1-2) and Port Vale (0-1) were major blows for Northampton. They didn’t register a single shot on target against bottom club Vale in midweek and they could toil again in the final third here. Peterborough came from 3-1 down to rescue a point against Exeter last weekend and their sharper edge in attack could give them the edge on Saturday.
Score prediction: Northampton 1-2 Peterborough
Doncaster vs Cardiff (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Doncaster’s 2-1 comeback victory at Rotherham last time out was their second win on the bounce, and Rovers can use the momentum from their mini-surge to test leaders Cardiff on Saturday. Table-topping City were hammered by Plymouth (2-5) last weekend and they’ve now dropped points in five of their last seven away fixtures. They could drop more here.
Score prediction: Doncaster 2-2 Cardiff
Exeter vs Bolton (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Exeter drew for the fifth time in six League One matches last weekend, though they really should have won, having established a 3-1 lead at Peterborough. Playoff hopefuls Bolton have also been picking up their points in singles of late and their 2-2 draw with Lancashire rivals Blackpool a week ago was their third tie in succession. Another share of the spoils could be in the offing for Wanderers in Devon.
Score prediction: Exeter 1-1 Bolton
Lincoln vs Blackpool (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Lincoln’s fabulous form continued last Saturday when they overcame a tricky test at Mansfield (2-0), with an injury-time strike from sub Tom Bayliss sealing the points there. The in-form Imps have now won 11 and drawn four of their last 15 games in League One, while they have claimed 20 of the last 24 points on offer on home soil. The title chasers can push for victory again here against inconsistent Blackpool.
Score prediction: Lincoln 3-1 Blackpool
Mansfield vs AFC Wimbledon (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
The wheels are starting to come off for Mansfield after their promising January, and their 2-0 reverse against Lincoln last weekend was their third defeat in a row in League One. With FA Cup distractions possible a factor, Town are now winless in seven attempts in the division and Wimbledon could be the next team to profit. The Dons’ only loss in their last five games was against leaders Cardiff and they could claim all three points at the One Call Stadium.
Score prediction: Mansfield 0-1 AFC Wimbledon
Port Vale vs Luton (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Port Vale’s 1-0 triumph over survival rivals Northampton in midweek was only their sixth win of the campaign, though that dogged showing could give them the impetus to grind something similar out against Luton. The Hatters have lost six away games on the trot, failing to score in four of those, so there is an opportunity here for Port Vale to eke out another big result.
Score prediction: Port Vale 1-0 Luton
Reading vs Bradford City (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Bradford’s 1-0 win over Rotherham on Tuesday was their 13th win in 17 home fixtures since August, though they are a different animal on the road, where the Bantams have lost a dismal six of their last seven league games. Playoff rivals Reading haven’t lost on their own patch since early December and the Royals could capitalise on Bradford’s away-day woes.
Score prediction: Reading 2-1 Bradford City
Rotherham vs Plymouth (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Two of the division’s bottom three clubs collide at the AESSEAL New York Stadium on Saturday, when Rotherham take on Plymouth. Visiting Argyle have been an improving force for a while now and their sensational 5-2 win over leaders Cardiff last weekend was their third victory in a row in League One. Rotherham meanwhile, have lost four straight matches and they could be bowled over by Plymouth’s growing momentum.
Score prediction: Rotherham 1-3 Plymouth
Stevenage vs Stockport County (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Stevenage came unstuck on their travels against a clinical Wycombe (3-1) outfit last weekend, though Borough have only lost once at home in League One all season, and they can harness home advantage again here. Stockport were well off it when losing 3-0 at Burton in midweek and with their confidence likely dented from that poor showing, they could be turned over again.
Score prediction: Stevenage 1-0 Stockport County
Wigan vs Huddersfield (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Wigan’s new manager lift under Gary Caldwell didn’t last long and Athletic were eventually well-beaten at Stockport (2-4) last weekend, with Maleace Asamoah’s late red card adding to their gloom. Caldwell will demand better on Saturday against a Huddersfield side that has lost four of its last five away assignments. Don’t be surprised if Wigan bounce back.
Score prediction: Wigan 1-0 Huddersfield
Wycombe vs Burton (Saturday, 15:00 pm)
Wycombe’s fine 3-1 victory over Stevenage last weekend was their third win in a row at home. Wanderers put four goals past Doncaster without reply in their last home outing before last week’s win over Borough, and they’re clearly enjoying performing at Adams Park. Burton meanwhile, haven’t won an away fixture in League One since November 8, so it’s best to oppose them again on Saturday.
Score prediction: Wycombe 2-1 Burton
