Stockport make the short hop to Bolton on Monday in a clash between two of League One’s prime Playoff candidates.
Struggling Exeter have lost six and drawn two of their last eight games ahead of their tussle with Doncaster.
Bottom meets third last at Vale Park in Tuesday’s solitary fixture when Port Vale take on relegation rivals Rotherham.
The busy Easter period continues on Monday with another full League One fixture programme, just days after the teams were in action on Good Friday.
All but one of the 12 early week contests will be played on Monday, with all 11 matches kicking off at 3 pm. A day later, the round’s final clash, a relegation six-pointer between Port Vale and Rotherham, has been pencilled in for a 7:45 pm start.
As always, we’ve analysed form and injury news to deliver predictions for every League One fixture on the slate and you can read our forecasts for the action below.
AFC Wimbledon vs Luton (Monday, 3:00 pm)
AFC Wimbledon gave a decent account of themselves at leaders Lincoln on Friday and almost snatched an unexpected point before conceding an 88th-minute decider. That was the Dons’ fourth loss in five matches however, and they look vulnerable again here. Luton’s narrow triumph over Peterborough (2-1) last time out was their third win in four games and the Playoff chasers can leave the Cherry Red Records Stadium with at least a point.
Score prediction: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Luton
Barnsley vs Plymouth (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Barnsley were on course for defeat at Burton (1-1) on Friday before veteran David McGoldrick’s last-minute leveller and the Tykes have now drawn four of their last five assignments in League One. Plymouth couldn’t make use of a man advantage at home to Bolton (1-2) in their last test, though Argyle avoided defeat in nine of their last 11 away fixtures in the division and they can dig in for a share of the spoils at Oakwell.
Score prediction: Barnsley 1-1 Plymouth
Bolton vs Stockport County (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Third meets fifth at the Toughsheet Community Stadium in this crunch Playoff contest on Easter Monday. Bolton’s form has been patchy in recent weeks, though their 2-1 win at Plymouth was impressive, with Wanderers playing the entire second half against Argyle with ten men. Stockport meanwhile, have won three of their last four, though all those victories were at home, and County have failed to win eight of their last nine on the road. Side with Bolton in this one.
Score prediction: Bolton 2-1 Stockport County
Exeter vs Doncaster (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Exeter remain in freefall and the March appointment of Matt Taylor has done little to reverse their torrid form. City have lost six and drawn two of their league matches since Taylor’s arrival, failing to score in five of the same games. Doncaster lost to Mansfield (0-2) on Friday, however, Rovers had been defending stoutly before that, keeping three clean sheets on the spin, and they could frustrate the Grecians here.
Score prediction: Exeter 0-1 Doncaster
Leyton Orient vs Huddersfield (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Leyton Orient didn’t concede a single shot on target in their 0-0 draw at Wigan on Friday and the O’s are now unbeaten in six, shutting out their opponents in their last three fixtures overall. Huddersfield’s results continue to wane meanwhile, and their 1-1 draw with Reading three days ago pushed their winless streak to four games. Orient are defending well enough to keep the Terriers at arm’s length in this one.
Score prediction: Leyton Orient 1-0 Huddersfield
Mansfield vs Burton Albion (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Goals from Rhys Oats and Jon Russell helped Mansfield to a 2-0 win at Doncaster on Good Friday, a result that added a seventh notch to the Stags’ unbeaten streak. Burton have been doing solid work on home soil in recent weeks, though they’ve won only one away game in League Two since early November and their travel sickness could spoil their chances again on Monday.
Score prediction: Mansfield 2-0 Burton Albion
Northampton vs Wigan (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Prime relegation contenders Northampton just cannot find a way to stop the rot and their 1-0 reverse at Bradford on Friday was their eighth loss in nine League Two tests. Wigan, who were comfortable winners against the Cobblers (3-1) in August’s reverse fixture, are tougher to beat under the instruction of Gary Caldwell and they look better-equipped to push for points.
Score prediction: Northampton 0-1 Wigan
Peterborough vs Cardiff (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Peterborough picked up just one point from their successive away trips to AFC Wimbledon (1-1) and Luton (1-2), though the Posh have been better on their own patch of late, pocketing seven of the last nine points on offer at the Weston Homes Stadium. This Cardiff side are potent travellers however, and enjoyed two 4-0 wins (vs Doncaster and Exeter) in their last three away games. The Bluebirds could be in command again here.
Score prediction: Peterborough 1-2 Cardiff
Reading vs Lincoln (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Reading were a whisker away from three points at Huddersfield on Friday before conceding a goal in the 95th minute and the Royals face more disappointment when they host runaway leaders Lincoln on Monday. The visiting Imps have won a stunning 12 of their last 14 league games, drawing the other two and they are unbeaten in the third tier since November 22nd. City can prove their title-winning credentials again at the Select Car Leasing Stadium.
Score prediction: Reading 1-2 Lincoln
Stevenage Borough vs Blackpool (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Stevenage continue to lurk with intent just outside the Playoff spots and they can lean on home advantage to beat Blackpool and strengthen their bid for a top-six finish. Borough have won six of their last seven home fixtures in League One, keeping clean sheets in four of those, and they should have enough quality to see of a Blackpool outfit that have been consistently poor on the road.
Score prediction: Stevenage Borough 1-0 Blackpool
Wycombe vs Bradford City (Monday, 3:00 pm)
Wycombe were never at the races in their 3-0 loss at Stockport on Friday, though Wanderers are a more formidable force at home where they have won five times in their last six attempts. Their Playoff rivals Bradford are dire on their travels and have lost seven of their last eight away matches. Wycombe have weaknesses to target here and can claim a significant victory in the race for promotion.
Score prediction: Wycombe 2-0 Bradford City
Port Vale vs Rotherham (Tuesday, 7:45 pm)
Two of the division’s bottom three collide at Vale Park on Tuesday evening in what could be a pivotal point in the battle for survival. Jaded by their FA Cup quarter-final exploits against Chelsea on Saturday, Port Vale could find the short turnaround between games tough to manage, and that could open the door for Rotherham. The Millers haven’t won since February 28th; however, this could be their opportunity to strike.
Score prediction: Port Vale 0-1 Rotherham
