You’ve heard the experts, now listen to the journalists. Our team of writers has packaged every one of the weekend’s games into three bite-sized paragraphs – and thrown in their own correct score verdicts for good measure…

Chesterfield v Bournemouth (Friday 19:45)

Chesterfield ended an 18-match winless league run with victory over Colchester at the Community Stadium last weekend. Now the Spireites will attempt to secure a first league success at home since September 17, although Monday's Johnstone's Paint Trophy second leg at Oldham might serve as a distraction. Manager John Sheridan has been happy with performances in recent weeks with recent loan signings Josh Thompson (Celtic), James Hurst (West Brom) and David Davis (Wolves) all making an immediate impact.

Bournemouth maintained their play-off charge with a 2-1 win over Tranmere last time out, coming from behind to snatch a result for the third game in succession. The Cherries have picked up 27 points from the last available 36 and will be looking to avenge a 3-0 defeat in the reverse fixture when chairman Eddie Mitchell came on to the pitch to confront disgruntled fans at the final whistle.

With Chesterfield on the mend, the hosts will be keen to stay on the straight and narrow but on this occassion maximum points will probably be beyond them.

Verdict: Chesterfield 1-1 Bournemouth

Brentford v Wycombe

Brentford's date with the television cameras proved to be a frustrating experience last weekend as they let a two-goal lead slip at Huddersfield, eventually going down 3-2. The Bees were left furious by a refereeing decision that allowed the Terriers back into the game shortly before half-time and now find themselves winless in seven. Uwe Rosler is relying heavily on Gary Alexander for goals. The former Millwall man has been responsible for eight of Brentford's last 13 goals with strike partner Clayton Donaldson netting just once in his last 17 appearances.

Wycombe have turned to James Harper in their bid to climb away from danger. The 31-year-old midfielder has signed on a one-month loan deal from Hull. The Chairboys are now just two points adrift of safety after securing a crucial 3-0 win over fellow strugglers Rochdale at Adams Park last weekend.

However, their away form has been dire. They've lost nine of the last 12 on the road in all competitions and that could prove to be the difference here.

Verdict: Brentford 2-1 Wycombe

Exeter v Charlton

Exeter kept a third successive clean sheet with a goalless draw at Oldham last weekend and it's the stalemates that seem to be keeping them above the dotted line at the moment. The Grecians have a three-point cushion on fourth-from-bottom Yeovil, despite winning only two of their last 12 league matches, seven of which have finished all-square. Scoring goals continues to be a problem but manager Paul Tisdale says he expects that to change soon based on the way his team are playing.

It's been nothing but good news for Charlton of late and they come into this game boosted by the news that top-scorer Bradley Wright-Phillips has signed a contract extension until the summer of 2013. The Addicks have recorded 1-0 wins over both Sheffield clubs in their last two matches, Johnnie Jackson scoring the only goal in both matches. They're now sitting pretty, seven points clear of the chasing Yorkshire trio with a game in hand.

Complacency is the only issue for Chris Powell to worry about and this tricky encounter could well serve as a reminder on that score.

Verdict: Exeter 1-1 Charlton

Hartlepool v Carlisle

Hartlepool boss Neale Cooper admits his side are screaming out for the return of young forward James Poole who has been sidelined by hamstring trouble since Boxing Day. The Teesiders snatched a valuable point with Antony Sweeney's late lob in a 2-2 draw at Sheffield Wednesday last week, extending their mini-revival under Cooper to three matches. They ended a miserable run of nine straight home defeats with a 2-0 win over Rochdale three weeks ago and will be keen to avoid falling back into old habits.

Carlisle have signed Leeds left-back Ben Parker on a one-month loan and he goes straight into the squad for the trip to Victoria Park. The Cumbrians were disappointed to draw 1-1 at home with lowly Walsall last weekend, conceding a late penalty having been ahead for 75 minutes, but it stretched their current unbeaten run to eight matches. Defenders Matty Robson and Peter Murphy were both absent for that game but could return here.

The visitors won this fixture 4-0 last season but there will be nothing like a repeat here.

Verdict: Hartlepool 1-1 Carlisle

Leyton Orient v Colchester

Leyton Orient climbed into the top half for the first time this season with an accomplished 2-0 win at Preston last weekend but manager Russell Slade was cautious amid talk of a play-off push afterwards. Marc Laird was on the scoresheet for the first time in O's colours and Dean Leacock gave an assured performance on his debut in central defence. Now Cardiff midfielder Solomon Taiwo is the latest addition to the O's ranks after Lee Cook returned to QPR at the end of his loan spell.

Colchester boss John Ward blamed a lack of belief for last weekend's defeat at home to rock-bottom Chesterfield. The U's went down 2-1 in a busy first half against the Spireites but it was their inability to force an equaliser in a goalless second period that most concerned Ward. Steven Gillespie was on the scoresheet in that game, his second goal in four appearances since coming in from the cold.

Given the respective form of the two sides, it's difficult to imagine anything other than a routine home win.

Verdict: Leyton Orient 2-0 Colchester

Rochdale v Bury

Rochdale begin life under John Coleman with a local derby as they look to end a nine-match winless run. Dale are currently second from bottom and four points adrift of safety, but Coleman, who exchanged Accrington for Spotland this week, believes he has inherited enough talent and enthusiasm to drag them clear of the drop zone. The home side have no major injury concerns but confidence is bound to be low with just one win of the last 16 league outings and have just four goals scored in the last 11.

Bury will be hoping that last weekend's bizarre penalty scuffle has no lasting effects on the mood within the dressing room. Steven Schumacher and Giles Coke nearly came to blows over who would take a 35th-minute spot-kick in the 3-2 win over Yeovil with manager Richie Barker standing by his captain, although Coke, on loan from Sheffield Wednesday, will still be considered for selection here. That aside, the Shakers are in decent shape. Victory over the Glovers was their sixth in ten matches, a sequence that has pushed them into the top half.

Despite the contrasting fortunes of the two clubs, you suspect there's not a great deal between them and the new impetus provided by the arrival of Coleman could swing it in favour of the hosts.

Verdict: Rochdale 2-1 Bury

Tranmere v Huddersfield

Tranmere will be hoping for the backing of their supporters when they return to Prenton Park this weekend after both manager Les Parry and skipper John Welsh spoke out about the negativity coming from the stands in the recent 0-0 draw with Rochdale. Rovers were beaten 2-1 at Bournemouth last weekend but could consider themselves unlucky after taking the lead before succumbing to a wicked deflection and a wind-assisted cross that sailed over keeper Paul Rachubka. The Merseysiders are down to 17th having won just one of their last 12 outings.

Huddersfield moved back into the second automatic promotion place for the first time since November when coming from two goals down to beat Brentford 3-2 last weekend The Terriers have recaptured defender Sean Morrison on loan from Reading until the end of the season and he goes straight into the reckoning here. Lee Novak and Scott Arfield both returned to training this week and will be hoping for recalls in this game.

Tranmere can trouble some sides with their physical approach but a long season is beginning to take its toll of them and Huddersfield aren't the sort of team to be roughed up easily, so this game only looks like going one way.

Verdict: Tranmere 0-3 Huddersfield

Yeovil v Preston

Yeovil say no action will be taken against striker Steve MacLean after he appeared to gesticulate towards the bench following his goal as a late substitute in the 3-2 defeat at Bury last weekend. The reverse at Gigg Lane means the Glovers have picked up just five points from the last seven matches, although they did beat Tranmere in their last home game. Sam Walker and Kelly Youga are both likely to make their home debuts, having followed Dean Parrett and Jon Routledge into the club since the return of Gary Johnson as manager.

Preston boss Graham Westley has brushed off controversy surrounding his managerial methods after it was revealed that he sent his teamsheet for last weekend's game against Leyton Orient by text message in the early hours. North End went down 2-0 in that game but picked up a creditable goalless draw on the road at Notts County in midweek. Chairman Peter Ridsdale has revealed that the club is losing £750,000 per month and they need to get the big earners of the wage bill this month.

Both new managers have their problems to sort out but Westley did at least appear to get a response from his players at Meadow Lane in midweek and it's a result he can build on with another clean sheet.

Verdict: Yeovil 0-1 Preston

Visit our At A Glance section for more background on the weekend’s matches.

For League One betting analysis based on match odds, check out Mike Holden’s preview of the action.