League One title favourites Leicester City open their account with a visit to Notts County.
Recently relegated Oxford take on promoted side MK Dons at the Kassam Stadium.
Reading beat Luton home and away last season ahead of their rematch with the Hatters on Saturday.
The new 2026/27 EFL League One campaign commences on Saturday, August 15th with a 12-game curtain-raiser that’s packed to the brim with interesting punting opportunities.
There are three lunchtime kick-offs, including relegated Leicester’s first third-tier outing at Notts County, to get us started, while Barnsley’s meeting with Bromley and Leyton Orient’s clash with Sheffield Wednesday are some of the eye-catchers a little later in the traditional 3 pm slot.
Ahead of the opening day, we’ve picked out score predictions and League One betting tips for every single fixture on Saturday, starting with that lunchtime triple-header.
Remember to check out the latest League One odds on LiveScoreBet for Saturday’s games.
Notts County vs Leicester City (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Last season’s League Two Playoff winners Notts County host recently relegated Leicester and the Magpies can test their visitors in front of what should be a buoyant Meadow Lane crowd. County scored more goals at home (45) than any other side in the fourth tier last term and could pick where they left off. The Foxes are odds-on favourites, but might take time to hit top gear under new boss Russell Martin. Don’t be surprised if the spoils are shared.
Score prediction: Notts County 1-1 Leicester City
Oxford United vs Milton Keynes Dons (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Relegated from the Championship and dealing with a transfer embargo, Oxford aren’t in the best shape ahead of the new campaign. They were also beaten 2-0 by Leyton Orient in the Carabao Cup last weekend, so confidence in their camp is likely to be low. Ambitious promoted outfit MK Dons also suffered a cup loss at Norwich (4-1) seven days ago, however, they could fare better here against their troubled hosts. Oxford might also be without key defensive midfielder Brian De Keersmaecker and his absence would strengthen the Dons’ chances.
Score prediction: Oxford United 1-1 Milton Keynes Dons
Reading vs Luton Town (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Reading beat Luton twice last season in a couple of five-goal thrillers, so the Royals will be targeting similar in Saturday’s opener. Luton looked dangerous and lodged 11 shots on target in their 3-0 Carabao Cup triumph at Gillingham last weekend however, and have the tools to threaten. Exciting summer signings Kasey Palmer and Gideon Kodua are also in line to start for visiting Town for the first time, so more goals and excitement could be in the offing.
Score prediction: Reading 2-2 Luton Town
Barnsley vs Bromley (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Daniel Stendel has returned for a second spell at Barnsley and the Tykes delivered a penalty shootout win over Wigan in the Carabao Cup last weekend in the German coach’s first competitive game back. Barnsley did concede eight shots on target and 2.29 in expected goals against before their spot-kick triumph however, so a clean sheet against Bromley feels unlikely. The visiting League Two champs endured a poor pre-season in terms of results (1 win in 6) and have an injury and suspension crisis at left back. They might find the going tough at Oakwell.
Score prediction: Barnsley 2-1 Bromley
Blackpool vs Wycombe Wanderers (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Encounters between Blackpool and Wanderers were tight last season, with the Tangerines winning 1-0 in Wycombe in April and the teams sharing the spoils in October at Bloomfield Road (1-1) before that. Saturday’s skirmish could be just as competitive, though Blackpool could fall on the right side of any fine margins. Ivan Evatt’s side sizzled in their 3-1 cup win at Grimsby last weekend and should have a kick in their step following that excellent display.
Score prediction: Blackpool 1-0 Wycombe Wanderers
Bradford City vs Peterborough United (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Promotion hopefuls Bradford look ready to motor this season and they racked up 23 attempts in a comfortable 2-0 win over Rochdale in the Carabao Cup last weekend. Graham Alexander’s Bantams put up similar numbers (29 shots, 10 on target, 3.79 in xG) when they last hosted Peterborough in February. They were too good for the Posh on that occasion and they can exert their dominance in this fixture again on Saturday.
Score prediction: Bradford City 2-0 Peterborough United
Burton Albion vs Stevenage (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Burton’s squad was almost completely gutted over the summer in anticipation of punishment over financial breaches, and double-figure departures have left Albion looking ill-equipped for the new campaign. Stevenage were beaten Playoff semi-finalists last term and will be targeting similar this year. Borough performed well in their 2-1 cup win at Wycombe last weekend and another away victory looks possible here.
Score prediction: Burton Albion 0-1 Stevenage
Cambridge United vs Wigan Athletic (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Cambridge were promoted from League Two and went unbeaten through pre-season before ousting Barnet (2-1) in the Carabao Cup last Saturday. United lost only twice in 23 outings on home turf in the league last season, so Neil Harris’s troops can approach this weekend’s test with confidence. Wigan meanwhile, lost their two top scorers from last season, Joe Taylor and Callum Wright, over the summer. Athletic look short on firepower and are best opposed in this one.
Score prediction: Cambridge United 1-0 Wigan Athletic
Huddersfield Town vs AFC Wimbledon (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Huddersfield scored seven goals across two meetings with AFC Wimbledon (3-3, 4-0) last season, and their 4-0 triumph over the Dons at the Cherry Red Records Stadium in May was recent enough to have some bearing on Saturday’s rematch. The Terriers enjoyed 62% possession, had 20 shots and manufactured 3.24 in xG on that occasion, and this time they’ll have home advantage. Martin Drury takes charge of a league game for Huddersfield for the first time this weekend and he could get off to the perfect start.
Score prediction: Huddersfield Town 2-0 AFC Wimbledon
Leyton Orient vs Sheffield Wednesday (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Leyton Orient just about staved off relegation last season under Richie Wellens, though they look better equipped to make progress this term following a busy summer of recruitment and they played well enough against Oxford (2-0) in the cup last weekend to suggest they could ruffle the Owls’ feathers. Relegated Sheff Weds will welcome a clean slate following a disastrous year, though they were second best in their cup win over Bolton a week ago before Wanderers had a man sent off. Wednesday might drop points at Brisbane Road.
Score prediction: Leyton Orient 1-1 Sheffield Wednesday
Mansfield Town vs Doncaster Rovers (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Mansfield lost only one of their final 13 games of the previous League One season and they posted a 2-0 win at Doncaster during that surge, restricting Rovers to zero shots on target at the Keepmoat Stadium in April. Nigel Clough, who is working with largely the same squad after a quiet summer, could use the same blueprint he used in April for success against the same opponents on Saturday. Mansfield didn’t fire in their 3-0 Carabao Cup reverse to Sheffield United last weekend, though they are backed to improve here.
Score prediction: Mansfield Town 2-0 Doncaster Rovers
Plymouth Argyle vs Stockport County (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Two of this season’s likely playoff contenders collide at Home Park, where Plymouth are backed to put down an early marker against visiting Stockport. Spirits are likely to be high at Argyle following last weekend’s 2-0 Carabao Cup win over rivals Exeter in the Devon Derby. That victory was deserved, though Plymouth scored twice in injury time to secure passage to the next round in dramatic style. Plymouth also thumped Stockport 4-2 at home at the beginning of last season and a repeat result could be on the cards.
Score prediction: Plymouth Argyle 3-1 Stockport County
