The season’s first international break means League One will take centre stage domestically this weekend, as the new season in the third tier begins to take shape.
There will be a limited fixture list in the division, with a number of clubs being forced to call off their matches due to international call ups, but the sides that are playing will hope to take full advantage.
Oxford Eye League One Summit
Oxford have not taken long to recover from last season’s disappointment in the playoffs, as Karl Robinson’s side sit third in the standings after taking ten points from their opening five games, and they can go top with victory at Wimbledon on Saturday.
The U’s have an impressive record against the Dons, losing just one of the last seven meetings between the two sides, making them look a tempting option at 5/4 to win in south London.
However, Oxford’s sole loss during that run was on their last visit to Plough Lane in April, although that also represents the last time Wimbledon won a league match on home soil, with Mark Robinson’s side having picked up three draws and a defeat in the intervening period.
Stanley to Make Home Advantage Count
Accrington Stanley’s solid start to the new season has been built on their impressive home form, as they have won their opening two league matches at the Wham Stadium and are unbeaten at the venue since April.
By contrast, Shrewsbury have lost all three of their away matches to date in League One this season, although they did register their first win of the campaign on home soil against Gillingham last time out.
That should certainly give Steve Cotterill’s side a boost ahead of Saturday’s trip to Lancashire, but the Shrews have only won one of their last five meetings with Stanley, making the hosts look good value at 11/10 to collect all three points.
Draw on the Cards at Cheltenham
Cheltenham have only won one league match since securing promotion back to the third-tier last season, although that victory did come in their most recent fixture at Whaddon Road against Ipswich.
Saturday’s opponents, MK Dons, will come into the contest unbeaten in their last three league fixtures, and they have seemingly shown no ill effects despite seeing former boss Russell Martin leave on the eve of the new season.
Martin’s successor, Liam Manning, has certainly made the Dons hard to beat, particularly on the road, as they have drawn both their away fixtures to date this term, with another share of the spoils this weekend looking a distinct possibility at 43/20.
Burton to Bounce Back at Bolton
Monday night’s offering from League One will see newly-promoted Bolton play host to Burton Albion.
Bolton have made a solid start to life back in the third tier, taking four points from their opening two home fixtures in the league, whilst also knocking Championship Barnsley out of the EFL Cup.
Burton’s start to the season has also caught the eye, and a victory on Monday could see the Brewers move top of the standings, although their only league defeat to date was a convincing one, as they lost 3-0 at Cambridge in their last away fixture.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink will expect his side to bounce back from that defeat when they visit the University of Bolton Stadium – a venue where Burton boast an impressive record, as they have won on their last three visits and are priced at 43/20 to repeat that success on Monday.
*All odds correct at time of writing.
