Cardiff will be determined to close to within two points of top spot when they host Blackpool in one of Saturday’s two lunchtime fixtures.
South Yorkshire rivals Barnsley and Doncaster go head-to-head for points and bragging rights at Oakwell.
Leaders Lincoln are favourites to extend their unbeaten run in League One to 21 matches when they host struggling Rotherham.
There is another full 12-part set of League One fixtures scheduled for Saturday, 21st March, with all 24 of the division’s combatants in action across England.
There are two lunchtime offerings from the third tier to get things going, including Cardiff’s tussle with Blackpool, before another ten games follow at 3 pm.
With so many teams packed closely together in the league’s crowded midsection, there is scope for plenty of drama and positional changes before the final ball is kicked on Saturday, and we’ve got League One predictions for all 12 fixtures below.
Cardiff vs Blackpool (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Cardiff’s title hopes were severely dented by a 2-0 loss at home to Wycombe on Tuesday evening, however, the Bluebirds are favourites to muster an instant response. Visiting Blackpool have lost six and drawn two of their last eight away games in League One, and their issues on the road could be exposed again in Wales.
Score prediction: Cardiff 3-1 Blackpool
Luton vs Stockport County (Saturday, 12:30 pm)
Luton won a five-goal thriller against Exeter in midweek to bring their recent haul up to seven points from the last nine on offer. Fellow Playoff chasers Stockport got back to winning ways against Northampton on Tuesday, however, County have lost four on the bounce on the road and they could slip up again at Kenilworth Road.
Score prediction: Luton 2-1 Stockport County
AFC Wimbledon vs Peterborough (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
AFC Wimbledon were shocked at home by a rampant Leyton Orient (2-4) in midweek and with their confidence sapped, they could be vulnerable again against Peterborough. The Posh delivered one of their best performances of the campaign on Tuesday to hammer Rotherham 5-0, and building on that display, they could prevail again.
Score prediction: AFC Wimbledon 1-2 Peterborough
Barnsley vs Doncaster (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
A 95th-minute Charlie Lennon leveller earned Barnsley a share of the spoils against Wigan (1-1) on Tuesday and buoyed by that late rally, they should have the impetus to perform against Doncaster. The Tykes have lost only once in nine fixtures at Oakwell, and they can harness home advantage to edge out Rovers in this South Yorkshire Derby.
Score prediction: Barnsley 2-1 Doncaster
Burton vs Bradford (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Burton relinquished an early lead to lose 2-1 at home to Reading in midweek and remain embroiled in a relegation dogfight. Playoff hopefuls Bradford picked up a point at home to Mansfield (1-1) the same evening, but their form on the road remains a real worry. The Bantams have lost six of their last seven away assignments in League One, and they can’t be backed with any confidence here.
Score prediction: Burton 1-1 Bradford
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Aided by a superb Don Ballard hattrick, Leyton Orient blitzed AFC Wimbledon (4-2) in midweek to secure their third win on the trot. With their tails up and Ballard in such fine form, Orient look ready to compete again on Saturday. Wycombe should be purring with confidence of their own following their 2-0 win at highflying Cardiff on Tuesday, so expect the teams to trade blows at Brisbane Road.
Score prediction: Leyton Orient 2-2 Wycombe
Lincoln vs Rotherham (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
League One leaders Lincoln came from two goals down to earn a late draw at Huddersfield (2-2) in midweek to extend their unbeaten surge in the division to a mammoth 20 games. Rotherham meanwhile, were demolished 5-0 by Peterborough on Tuesday, and the Millers look ill-equipped to offer much in the way of resistance against the formidable Imps.
Score prediction: Lincoln 3-0 Rotherham
Mansfield vs Northampton (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Northampton were beaten again in midweek, this time by Stockport (1-2) and the Cobblers have now lost twice in as many games under caretaker boss Colin Calderwood since the sacking of Kevin Nolan. Mansfield, who are in the midst of a five-game unbeaten run, could be the next side to take advantage of Northampton’s plight. The visitors conceded 34 in their last two games combined, so expect Mansfield to get behind this leaky Northampton defence.
Score prediction: Mansfield 2-0 Northampton
Plymouth vs Huddersfield (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Plymouth continue to climb the League One table at a rate of knots and their 1-0 win over Stevenage on Tuesday was their third win in four matches. Huddersfield are still blowing hot and cold meanwhile, and though their 2-2 draw with leaders Lincoln on Tuesday was impressive, Town have failed to win seven of their last eight fixtures in League One since the end of January. Plymouth could nick this one.
Score prediction: Plymouth 1-0 Huddersfield
Port Vale vs Bolton (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Port Vale’s revival has lost steam in recent weeks and their 3-2 reverse against Blackpool in midweek pushed the bottom club’s winless run to three matches. Bolton missed a series of good chances in their disappointing 0-0 draw with Doncaster on Tuesday, though Wanderers are unbeaten in 13 fixtures in League One and can reaffirm their status as Playoff contenders with a win here.
Score prediction: Port Vale 1-2 Bolton
Stevenage vs Reading (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Stevenage lost at Plymouth in midweek (0-1), however, Borough know how to enjoy home comforts and have been turned over only once in their last ten outings at the Lamex Stadium. Fellow Playoff candidates Reading have lost only twice in 13 league assignments however, and are in good enough form to match their hosts. Honours could be even here.
Score prediction: Stevenage 1-1 Reading
Wigan vs Exeter (Saturday, 3:00 pm)
Wigan came within a whisker of winning at Barnsley in midweek before shipping a 95th-minute equaliser, though Gary Caldwell’s side have a great opportunity to land a victory on Saturday. Visiting Exeter have lost four successive fixtures in League One and the Grecians are without a win of any description in the division since January 24th.
Score prediction: Wigan 1-0 Exeter
