Russell: former Norwich man is eligible to return for Charlton.
League One bite-size
No time for research? Check out our bite-size summary looking ahead at the weekend’s action in League One…
Chesterfield v Sheff Wed (13:00)
Chesterfield were left wondering what might have been on Tuesday night after they were denied a victory at Bury in the closing stages. The point – and results elsewhere – leaves the Spireites four points from safety, while their rivals have games in hand.
Sheffield Wednesday boss Gary Megson was forced to read the riot act to his players for the second game running as they went down 1-0 at home to Stevenage in midweek. That came three days after a loss at Exeter and the Owls now have to play catch-up as they bid for a top-two place.
Megson will be demanding a response but they are making basic errors just now and may be caught out by the hosts.
Verdict: Chesterfield 2-1 Sheff Wed
Exeter v Bury
Exeter failed to build on their weekend victory over Sheffield Wednesday as they went down 2-1 at Notts County on Tuesday. The Grecians could count themselves unfortunate at Meadow Lane but the result leaves them just four points above the drop zone.
Bury had Steven Schumacher to thank for their draw at home with Chesterfield in midweek. The midfielder headed home two minutes from the end but boss Richie Barker insisted his side ought to have taken all three points. The Shakers have won one of their last five away matches.
City’s need for points is greater than that of their visitors and that desire, coupled with the confidence gleaned from recent outings, should give them the edge.
Verdict: Exeter 2-1 Bury
Exeter to win by one goal at 3/1
Hartlepool v Notts County
Hartlepool manager Neale Cooper was left frustrated after his side were beaten at Preston in midweek. The Pools dominated for much of the encounter but ended up on the wrong end of a 1-0 scoreline. However, Cooper’s men are in good form – that was their first defeat in six.
Notts County are plotting an unlikely play-off charge after back-to-back victories. They edged past Exeter on Tuesday to move ninth, eight points adrift of the top six. The Magpies have struggled on the road in recent months, though, winning once in eight.
County ended their away hoodoo at Walsall earlier this month but a trip to Victoria Park represents a tougher obstacle. Expect the hosts to nick this one.
Verdict: Hartlepool 1-0 Notts County
Leyton Orient claimed another impressive away scalp on Tuesday as they turned over Bournemouth at Dean Court. Russell Slade’s men have now won four of their last five on the road – it’s their home form they need to work on: they have lost three of four at Brisbane Road.
Scunthorpe’s new signings appeared to do the trick on Tuesday night although it was the established Gary Thompson who hit the winner in a 1-0 defeat of fellow strugglers Rochdale. The Iron are unbeaten in three away from home but sit just two points above the drop zone.
The O’s blow hot and cold and with Scunny looking up, the visitors could claim an eighth away draw of the campaign.
Verdict: Leyton Orient 1-1 Scunthorpe
Scunthorpe/draw double result at 16/1
MK Dons boss Karl Robinson looked to the positives as his side were narrowly beaten at Charlton during the week. However, they were architects of their own downfall – defender Gary MacKenzie was dismissed for a head butt and will now miss four matches.
Oldham put the disappointment of their Johnstone’s Paint Trophy exit behind them on Tuesday with a 2-1 victory over Walsall. But after a nervy end Paul Dickov demanded more from his side. They’ll need to start by improving their away form; the Latics are winless in eight on the road.
The Dons have stuttered lately and will have to settle for a play-off place. But Athletic’s dismal away record should see the home side triumph.
Verdict: MK Dons 3-1 Oldham
Robbie Simpson anytime scorer at 16/5
Rochdale v Bournemouth
Rochdale boss John Coleman faces the first significant challenge of his brief reign as he seeks to pick his side up after their midweek defeat. Dale went down at Scunthorpe on Tuesday, a loss which leaves them bottom and four points from safety.
Bournemouth’s play-off hopes took a hit during the week as they spurned chances to fall to a home loss against Leyton Orient. The Cherries are four points adrift of the top six but have played more games than all of their rivals. Lee Bradbury’s side are without a win in three away games.
If Coleman is to lead his new charges to safety he’ll need to make Spotland a fortress. The Lancashire outfit haven’t got time to waste and could just squeeze past their visitors.
Verdict: Rochdale 2-1 Bournemouth
Sheff Utd v Preston
Sheffield United took a big step towards promotion on Tuesday night with a victory at rivals Huddersfield. The Blades are now two points clear of third-placed Sheffield Wednesday and have two games in hand on their city rivals. United have won six in a row at Bramall Lane in League One.
Preston boss Graham Westley saw his side win on Tuesday - their first triumph since he arrived in the post last month. North End edged past Hartlepool at Deepdale to move 12th and to within nine points of the top six. But consolidation remains the key goal for Westley.
North End went down at Yeovil in their last away trip and in spite of a morale-boosting midweek success they’re unlikely to get much change in the Steel City.
Verdict: Sheff Utd 3-1 Preston
Sheff Utd to win by two goals at 18/5
Tranmere v Charlton
Tranmere manager Les Parry reckoned his side deserved more than their point from Carlisle on Tuesday. Rovers are struggling to turn draws into victories; they have won only one league game in 15 and aren’t yet clear of danger at the bottom, currently seven points above the drop zone.
Charlton may not be playing with lashings of flair but they are showing plenty of grit. They needed it in midweek to secure a 2-1 triumph over MK Dons and move eight points clear at the top. Darel Russell is finally available to return on Saturday after a three-game ban.
Chris Powell’s men haven’t been invincible on the road but they tend to come up with the goods when it matters and should do again at Prenton Park.
Verdict: Tranmere 0-1 Charlton
Charlton to keep a clean sheet at 13/8
Walsall v Wycombe
Walsall are drifting further in to trouble as victories continue to elude them. The Saddlers went down 2-1 at Oldham in midweek; their second straight loss and seventh league match without a win. Dean Smith’s men are now 22nd, three points from safety.
Wycombe boss Gary Waddock faces renewed pressure after his side suffered a damaging home defeat against Yeovil last time out. Wanderers are a point above their hosts but have played two games more. They are winless on the road in eight outings, too.
This is a crucial clash at the bottom between two confidence-shy sides but the Chairboys are dismal on the road and that should allow the home team to edge it.
Verdict: Walsall 2-1 Wycombe
Yeovil v Colchester
Yeovil claimed a significant victory in midweek, seeing off relegation rivals Wycombe thanks to an Andy Williams double. The Glovers are still only four points from the drop zone but they have won their last two on home turf, both 2-1. Paul Huntington misses out again through suspension.
Colchester secured rare back-to-back triumphs thanks to a 2-1 success against Brentford on Tuesday. The U’s may lack the consistency to make a concerted play-off charge, however. The gap to the top six currently sits at nine points.
The Essex side are predictable only in their unpredictability but they haven’t won three in a row this season so don’t expect them to enjoy their trip to Somerset.
Verdict: Yeovil 2-1 Colchester
Yeovil to win by one goal at 16/5
Brentford v Carlisle (Monday 19:45)
Brentford saw their play-off hopes take a hit in midweek as their away woe continued at Colchester. If they are to make up the eight-point gap to the top six they will have to rely on their form at Griffin Park, where they are unbeaten in five.
Carlisle were held by Tranmere on Tuesday night but they stay seventh, two points shy of the play-off zone. The Blues, who will again be without the suspended Lee Miller, have managed just one win from their last seven away outings in League One.
This televised clash could have a significant impact on the promotion hopes of both teams. But the Bees can be tough to stop at home and could reignite their charge.
Verdict: Brentford 3-2 Carlisle
Gary Alexander first scorer at 5/1
Henry Milward’s best bet:
Exeter to win by one goal at 3/1
Click here for Mike Holden’s League One betting preview.
