Leyton Orient put their five-game unbeaten streak on the line when they visit Wigan in Thursday evening’s solitary fixture.
Blackpool will be eager to make full use of home advantage when they host relegation rivals Exeter on Friday afternoon.
Stockport and Wycombe collide in a clash between two of the division’s prime Playoff candidates at Edgeley Park.
With the international break firmly in the rearview mirror, there is a full catalogue of League One fixtures to enjoy later this week, though some Easter scheduling tweaks have moved things forward a notch.
Instead of the usual Saturday slot, ten of this week’s matches from England’s third tier will be contested on Good Friday (April 3) instead, with one game pencilled in for Thursday evening just before that.
As always, we’ve analysed form and team news to produce predictions for every League One fixture on the cards this week and you can read our forecasts for the action below.
Wigan vs Leyton Orient (Thursday, 7:45 pm)
Wigan were comfortably beaten by Reading (0-3) in their last assignment, so manager Gary Caldwell has work to do to rebuild his players’ confidence. Leyton Orient’s four-game winning surge came to an end at Exeter (0-0) at the weekend, though they remain unbeaten in five matches and are playing well enough to secure another share of the spoils at the Brick Community Stadium.
Score prediction: Wigan 1-1 Leyton Orient
Doncaster vs Mansfield (Friday, 12:30 pm)
Boss Grant McCann will have been pleased with Doncaster’s recent work, with Rovers winning three and drawing one of their last four games in League One. Donny’s resolve could be tested by a Mansfield side in the midst of a six-game unbeaten stint, however. Both defences have looked secure of late, with Doncaster keeping three clean sheets on the spin and Mansfield conceding only four goals in their last six away fixtures combined, so chances could be at a premium here.
Score prediction: Doncaster 0-0 Mansfield
Blackpool vs Exeter (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Blackpool have turned a corner, collecting seven of the last nine points on offer and the Seasiders can strike another crucial blow in the battle for survival with a win over relegation rivals Exeter. The visitors are winless in 14 attempts and have lost each of their last three away matches. The Grecians have also failed to score in four of their last five outings in League One, so side with Blackpool in this one.
Score prediction: Blackpool 1-0 Exeter
Bradford City vs Northampton (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Second-from-bottom Northampton were swatted aside by Mansfield (4-1) at the weekend under the watch of caretaker boss Colin Calderwood, and the Cobblers could toil again at promotion-chasing Bradford. The hosts have the division’s second-best home record this term (45 points) and have won nine of their last 11 league games on their own turf. Bradford can harness home advantage again on Friday.
Score prediction: Bradford City 3-1 Northampton
Burton Albion vs Barnsley (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Burton’s return of two wins and two losses from their last four games have been enough to push them clear of the drop zone, and they could put more valuable points on the board here. Barnsley are still troubled by travel sickness and the Tykes have won only one of their last ten away fixtures in League One since mid-November. Barnsley edged Burton out (3-2) in August’s reverse encounter, but the tables could be turned on this occasion.
Score prediction: Burton Albion 2-1 Barnsley
Huddersfield vs Reading (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Huddersfield’s form remains ropey and following their 3-1 reverse at Plymouth on Saturday, Town have now failed to win seven of their last nine league games. Their Playoff hopes could be further dented by sixth-placed Reading here. The Royals impressed in a 3-0 win over Wigan when last seen and they’ve lost only two of their last 11 skirmishes since the end of January. Reading can leave West Yorkshire with at least a point.
Score prediction: Huddersfield 1-1 Reading
Lincoln vs AFC Wimbledon (Friday, 3:00 pm)
With Reeco Hackett central, Lincoln enjoyed a cosy 3-0 win over Rotherham on Saturday to go seven points clear at the summit of League One and the Imps can continue their march towards the title with a win at AFC Wimbledon’s expense. The Dons have lost three times in four games and they shipped 3+ goals in two of those defeats. Expect highflying Lincoln to pick them apart at the LNER Stadium.
Score prediction: Lincoln 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Luton vs Peterborough (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Luton (11th) and Peterborough (12th) still have designs on making a late dash for the Playoff positions, though both clubs have been hampered by inconsistency. The Hatters have only been turned over once in League One at Kenilworth Road since the end of October however, and that home form could be enough to tip the balance in their favour here.
Score prediction: Luton 2-1 Peterborough
Plymouth vs Bolton Wanderers (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Plymouth have been outstanding at Home Park since the turn of the year and their fine 3-1 win over Huddersfield at that venue on Saturday was their fourth home victory in a row and sixth in eight attempts since January 1st. Bolton meanwhile, have failed to win four of their last five matches on the road and they limped to a 1-0 reverse at bottom club Port Vale at the weekend. Plymouth could outgun Wanderers in this one.
Score prediction: Plymouth 2-1 Bolton Wanderers
Rotherham vs Stevenage Borough (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Rotherham’s first game following the sacking of Matthew Hamshaw didn’t go to plan at the weekend as the Millers were outclassed by leaders Lincoln (0-3) with new manager Lee Clark looking on. Still, after a week on the training ground, Rotherham could be better against Stevenage. Borough have lost a galling seven of their last eight away matches, so there could be scope for an upset when they visit a Rotherham side armed with new ideas under Clark.
Score prediction: Rotherham 1-0 Stevenage Borough
Stockport County vs Wycombe Wanderers (Friday, 3:00 pm)
Fifth meets eighth when Stockport host fellow Playoff contenders Wycombe on Friday, when County will be determined to make home advantage count. Stockport know how to produce the goods on their own patch, winning a superb seven of their last eight League One tests at Edgeley Park, while a Wanderers side that have lost half of their last six away games look like vulnerable visitors.
Score prediction: Stockport County 2-1 Wycombe Wanderers
