League One Weekend Fixture Preview

[ste1987]

League One Weekend Fixture Preview – 10th - 12th Oct 2008

 

Welcome to this week’s edition of “League One Weekend Fixture Preview”, previewing the League One action away from the Boundary Park camp.

 

Scunthorpe United vs. Crewe Alexandra

Whilst Leicester have an international break, Scunthorpe will hope to claim the top spot (and winning by three goals) when they host lowly placed Crewe Alexandra.

 

Scunthorpe hope that Izzy Iriekpen will return after missing their JPT fixture midweek through injury. Joe Murphy should feature having completed his suspension. Kevan Hurst, Garry Thompson and Michael Lea will all miss out. Grant McCann and Krystian Pearce are on international duty.

 

Crewe will be without Dennis Lawrence and Michael O'Connor, who are both on international duty. Julian Baudet is 50/50 and will face a late fitness test. George Abbey and Chris McCready both recover from injuries and may feature.

 

Prediction: Scunthorpe 2-0 Crewe

Leeds United vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Leeds United will hope to bounce back from last week’s defeat against Peterborough when they host Brighton.

 

Leeds will recall the services of numerous players having made eight changes midweek in their JPT fixture. Alan Sheehan misses out through injury again, lasting ten minutes midweek. Aidan White or Ben Parker will both hope to replace him.

 

For Brighton, Glenn Murray will face a late fitness test to determine his inclusion. Matt Richards and Steven Thomson should return but Jake Robinson is still an injury doubt. Kevin McLeod is definitely out after suffering an adverse reaction in his rehabilitation

 

Prediction: Leeds 2-0 Brighton

 

Walsall vs. Peterborough United

Peterborough will hope to continue on their impressive recent form when they visit Walsall.

 

For Walsall, Rene Gilmartin looks set to start in goal with Clayton Ince on international duty. Rhys Weston and Netan Sansara both complete their suspensions and should feature. It is still unknown if Sofiene Zaaboub will recover from his injury, and is likely to face a fitness test prior to kick-off.

 

For Peterborough, defenders Craig Morgan and Gabriel Zakuani are both away on international duty. Darren Ferguson has a host of injury worries, with Shane Blackett, Tom Williams, Jamie Day, Aaron Mclean, Sergio Torres, Dean Keates and Chris Westwood all out.

 

Prediction: Walsall 2-1 Peterborough

 

Tranmere Rovers vs. Millwall

Millwall will hope to bounce back from last week’s defeat as they travel to the Wirral to face Tranmere.

 

For Tranmere, Ronnie Moore is likely to call Godwin Antwi and Chris Shuker into the team, with Ian Goodison and Ed Sonko away on international duty. Craig Curran is an injury doubt with a groin strain.

 

For Millwall, Tresor Kandol will return after completing his suspension last week, but Jermaine Easter is still serving his. Jimmy Abdou should recover from injury in time, but will face stiff competition from Marc Laird and Ali Fuseini for the central midfield spot.

 

Prediction: Tranmere 1-1 Millwall

Southend United vs. Stockport County

Southend will hope to make it five consecutive league wins as they welcome Stockport to the South-East coast.

 

For Southend, Dougie Freedman will remain sidelined along with goalkeeper Steve Mildenhall. Southend are likely to name an unchanged side from last week.

 

For Stockport, new loan signings Tony Kane and Jarek Fojut are both likely to feature. Fraser Forster will start in net as Owain Fon Williams is away on international duty along with Peter Thompson.

 

Prediction: Southend 3-1 Stockport

 

MK Dons vs. Carlisle United

Upon studying MK Dons’ recent form pattern (having lost, won, lost, won, lost and won their previous six fixtures!), many would place a bet they will lose when they host Carlisle this weekend.

 

Dons’ Ali Gerba is away on international duty, making way for Kevin Gallen, who is likely to replace him. Flavien Belson begins a three match suspension after his midweek JPT dismissal. Aaron Wilbraham and Danny Swailes will both miss out through injury.

 

Carlisle new loan signing Graham Kavanagh is likely to feature, joining them today from Sunderland. Carlisle will welcome back Scott Dobie and Marc Bridge-Wilkinson to the team, having recovered from injury. Paul Thirlwell and Chris Lumsdon remain injured.

 

Prediction: MK Dons 0-1 Carlisle

Northampton Town vs. Hartlepool United (Friday)

Northampton will hope to capitalise on last weeks win when they host Hartlepool on Friday evening.

 

Northampton will be without Colin Larkin, who is carrying a hamstring injury. Adebayo Akinfenwa is likely to replace him on the front line. Chris Doig recovers from injury but will more than likely be on the bench, with Jason Crowe’s impressive defensive displays keeping him in.

 

For Hartlepool, Danny Wilson may call Ben Clark into defence to help plug the goal leakage they have had in recent games. Willie Boland remains injured and shouldn’t be back for another two weeks. Kevin Kyle looks set to start up front along with Joel Porter and James Brown.

Prediction: Northampton 2-0 Hartlepool

 

Bristol Rovers vs. Leyton Orient

Orient will hope to record a long awaited league win as they travel to Bristol.

 

For Bristol, Joe Jacobson is away on international duty. Steve Elliott was hoping to return to the defensive line up, but recently tweaked his injury. Craig Hinton is likely to remain in central defence after impressive performances.

 

Leyton Orient welcome back Dean Morgan and JJ Melligan from injury and could play some part against Bristol. Tamika Mkandawire, Danny Granville, Wayne Gray, Loick Pires and Jack Jeffery are all out through injury.

Prediction: Bristol 2-1 Orient

 

Swindon Town vs. Huddersfield Town

Huddersfield will hope to gather some points on the board and climb the table as they travel south to Swindon.

 

For Swindon, they are expected to name an unchanged line-up. Hasney Aljofree is still absent and Sean Morrison is likely to keep his place in the team.

 

For Huddersfield, Gary Roberts is available for selection after having his midweek JPT red card rescinded. Ian Craney and Andy Booth both miss out through injury. Michael Flynn and Jim Goodwin should both return.

 

Prediction: Swindon 1-2 Huddersfield

 

Cheltenham Town vs. Colchester United

Chelthenham host Colchester this weekend with both teams tinkering around the relegation places on eight points.

 

For Cheltenham, Martin Allen is sweating over a number of injuries. Darren Kenton, Alan Wright, Alex Russell, Scott Murray and Lloyd Owusu all missed out midweek with knocks of some kind and Stuart Fleetwood was injured in the game. Drissa Diallo and James Wesolowski should return to the team along with Barry Hayles and Josh Payne, who both return from suspension.

 

For Colchester, new manager Paul Lambert officially takes the reigns after the game. Matt Lockwood is out through injury. Chris Coyne and Medy Elito are both away on international duty. Dean Gerken should return to goal after being rested midweek.

 

Prediction: Cheltenham 1-0 Colchester

Edited October 10, 2008 by ste1987