This Friday, League One continues to heat up with several key matches, at either end of the table going head-to-head as the race for the title/play-off/survival, so let’s take an in-depth look at the upcoming games…
All eyes are firmly on the play-off fight this week, with matches including Ipswich Town against Wycombe Wanderers whilst Shrewsbury Town host Peterborough United.
In League One, Sheffield Wednesday lead the way, ahead of Plymouth Argyle in 2nd. The Devonshire side do still have a game in-hand. Ipswich Town and Barnsley are still piling on the pressure on the top two sides.
The battle for the play-offs is also still firmly on, with Bolton, Peterborough, Derby, Wycombe and Portsmouth all split by just three points.
The intriguing battle at the bottom of the division, will also continue this week. Forest Green are facing almost certain relegation, sitting 12 points off safety with just seven games to play. Cambridge, Morecambe, Accrington Stanley, Oxford and MK Dons are all split by just seven points.
The Good Friday fixtures for those sides playing for something this season, could have a huge affect on the outcome of the season.
Let’s now take a look at Good Friday’s League One fixtures…
Cambridge United vs Fleetwood Town, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, Abbey Stadium
Cambridge find themselves at the wrong end of the table, currently sitting in 23rd position in the league staring relegation in the face. With recent form failing to show a sign of improvement for the club, and with not many games to go, there is not a better time for the club to start picking up some results and try to lift themselves out of the relegation zone.
Fleetwood sit comfortably in mid-table in 13th position, the side are in no danger of relegation, and are unable to reach the playoffs, so they are just playing for pride at this point in time, however, recent form has not been much to brag about, so they will be looking to pick up some results to finish the season strong and take some momentum into next season.
Ones to watch
Sam Smith- The forward grabbed himself his seventh goal of the season in victory over Port Vale in the last fixture and could be instrumental to the clubs survival.
Shaun Rooney- The Scottish defender has been a mainstay at the back for Fleetwood, making 32 appearances, and even managing to get on the scoresheet six times, which included the winner late on the last time these two sides met.
Form
Cambridge United-LDLLW
Goals scored-4
Goals conceded-5
Fleetwood Town-LDWWD
Goals scored-7
Goals conceded-6
Previous Meeting
Fleetwood 1-0 Cambridge United
Shaun Rooney 88″
Lincoln City vs Cheltenham Friday 7th April 3 PM, LNER Stadium
Both sides are playing for pride at this point of the season, they are both relatively safe, but Cheltenham could still be dragged into the relegation fight once again if they do not continue this fine run of form, which includes a draw with Sheffield Wednesday, as does Lincoln’s form. Lincoln are close to a record of draws in a season as they currently have been held 19 times this season.
For Cheltenham, their talismanic forward Alfie May has led them in recent weeks as they have surged away from the relegation zone and now sit 10 points clear in 16th while Lincoln sit above them in 14th not posing any danger to the relegation zone of the playoffs.
Ones to watch
Harry Boyes- The youngster joined Lincoln on loan in January and while he is yet to score, he can certainly cause some problems out wide for the visitors.
Alfie May- An easy choice here as he has been key to the recent form Cheltenham have picked up and his goals have been vital.
Form
Lincoln City- DLLLD
Goals scored- 3
Goals conceded- 8
Cheltenham Town- DWWDD
Goals scored- 8
Goals conceded- 3
Previous meeting
Cheltenham Town 0-0 Lincoln City
Bristol Rovers vs Charlton Athletic, Friday 7th April 3 PM, Memorial Stadium
It has been an up-and-down season for Bristol Rovers, marred by an FA Cup exit to non-league Boreham Wood. Nevertheless, Joey Barton’s men sit comfortably in 15th but need to be aware of the dangers of being sucked down the wrong end of the table before the season comes to a close.
Meanwhile, Charlton sit 12th in the league and are unbeaten in their last five fixtures, compared to the teams around them, their goalscoring is much more prolific, with not many above them before the play-off places having scored more than the Addicks. Charlton are coming hot off a 6-0 demolition job over Shrewsbury Town.
Ones to watch
Aaron Collins- Collins has 15 goals and 11 assists for the side this season and could be adding to that total against Charlton.
Miles Leaburn- He is only behind on assists in the race for Charlton’s top scorer, however, has a much better goal-per-90 ratio.
Form
Bristol Rovers-WDWLL
Goals scored-6
Goals conceded-5
Charlton-DWWDW
Goals scored-14
Goals conceded-
Previous meeting
Charlton Athletic 1-2 Bristol Rovers
Ryan Iniss 20′ John Marquis 61′ 72′
Burton Albion vs Barnsley, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, Pirelli Stadium
While Burton are not in immediate danger of relegation, they are still able to be sucked into it, a draw against Cheltenham Town last weekend will be less than they had hoped for in this final run into the end of the season. Having scored more than every other team in the relegation battle, it is the defence that is the issue for the side, while only Forest Green who sit rock bottom have conceded more than the Brewers this season.
For Barnsley, they are chasing the automatic promotion spots and with Sheffield Wednesday slipping up on multiple occasions, they have that spot set in their sights. A 5-0 drubbing of troubled Morecambe only expressed their intent on getting out of the division at the first attempt even more.
Ones to watch
Sam Winnall- Burton have needed someone to step up since they sold their top scorer Adeboyejo to Bolton Wanderers, and with five goals to his name this season in 15 appearances this season, he will be eager to add to this total.
Devante Cole- With 14 goals to his name and a per-90 ratio of 0.39, Cole can easily score goals in Michael Duff’s side, the goals can come from anywhere in this team however, with the free-flowing football they play. Cole scored both goals the last time these two sides met.
Form
Burton Albion- LWLWD
Goals scored-6
Goals conceded-13
Barnsley- WWWWW
Goals scored-16
Goals conceded-3
Previous meeting
Barnsley 2-0 Burton Albion
Devante Cole 36′ 73′
Shrewsbury Town vs Peterborough United, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, Montgomery Waters Meadow
Shrewsbury has been a surprise package sitting 10th in the table this season and were at one point gaining on the play-off positions. However, that momentum may have been put to a stop last week as they were demolished 6-0 at Charlton, they will be desperate to bounce back with a big statement this time around.
Despite a mixed bag of results, Peterborough sit in 6th place, just inside the playoff positions and will be looking to establish their grasp on those spots and make themselves a part of the final four this season. Some big results have helped them pick their form back up, however, there are still questions that remain from results against teams below them.
Ones to watch
Marko Marosi- The Shrews keeper has kept 10 clean sheets in 36 and is very popular among the clubs fans, it shows that he was blameless for all six they conceded in their last fixture. The Slovakian fought back from a horror injury two years ago during his time at Coventry, which he has stated he still cannot feel half his face.
Jonson Clarke Harris- 22 goals and five assists make Clarke-Harris an easy choice for this one, with a goals-per-90 ratio of 0.56, the striker is obviously lethal, and Shrewsbury will be dreading facing him and hoping they do not face a repeat of last weekend.
Form
Shrewsbury- DLWLL
Goals scored-6
Goals conceded-13
Peterborough- LWWWD
Goals scored-10
Goals conceded-5
Previous meeting
Peterborough United 2-1 Shrewsbury Town
Jonson Clarke-Harris 17′ Frankie Kent 87′. Tom Flanagan 21′
Exeter City vs Bolton Wanderers, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, St James Park
Another case of a side comfortable in mid-table facing off with promotion chasers, Bolton have been in some fine form this year in their search for promotion, and they already have silverware after a 4-0 victory over league leaders Plymouth Argyle in the EFL Trophy final.
Exeter are 11th in the league, a position they can be happy with and will look to make their own as we come towards the close of the season, with only one defeat in their last five and some big results in recent weeks, they look good value to do just that. Meanwhile, Bolton occupies the play-off places and are looking to string results together to earn themselves promotion at the end of the season.
Ones to watch
Jevani Brown- Brown has bagged himself 14 goals and 9 assists this season and has been pivotal along with Sam Nombe as they marched up the table this season.
Dion Charles- The only player for Bolton to hit double figures this season as he has bagged 16 goals and provided playmaker once, Bolton fans will be singing his name for a long time if they earn promotion this season.
Form
Exeter City – WLWWD
Goals scored- 13
Goals conceded- 7
Bolton Wanderers – WLDLD
Goals scored- 4
Goals conceded- 7
Previous meeting
Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Exeter City
Conor Bradley 8′ Dion Charles 26′
MK Dons vs Portsmouth, Friday 7th April 3 PM, Stadium MK
You would be forgiven for writing off both of these teams seasons a few months ago, MK Dons were lamenting in the relegation battle with many struggling to see where the lifeline was going to come from. As for Portsmouth, the Pompey faithful grew frustrated as they began to slip down the table, winless in 14 games.
It is what makes the fixture all the more interesting, however, they have both found a reason to fight once again this season, the playoffs are within reach once more for Portsmouth, and MK Dons have climbed to 19th in the league and look to pull away from the rest of the pack.
Ones to watch
Will Grigg- A veteran striker who has bagged himself six goals for the Dons this season, his journeyman status within the EFL could be what stokes the fire for the clubs survival if they are to achieve it.
Colby Bishop- With 23 goals and five assists this season, you would not believe that Portsmouth were struggling in the middle of the pack, but since Mousinho’s appointment, he has been key to firing them back into the play-off chase.
Form
MK Dons- LWWWD
Goals scored- 5
Goals conceded- 3
Portsmouth- LWWDW
Goals scored- 8
Goals conceded- 4
Previous meeting
Portsmouth 0-2 MK Dons
Bradley Johnson 34′ Jack Robert Tucker 64′
Oxford United vs Sheffield Wednesday, Friday 7th April 3 PM, Kassam Stadium
Both teams are in need of a win, both are winless in their last five and yet they find themselves at complete opposite ends of the table. The hosts Oxford United are in the relegation zone, sitting 20th and struggling to earn three points after losing three on the bounce.
Sheffield Wednesday are top of the division, despite their form in their last five, but they currently only occupy that spot on goal difference. Shock results which include defeat to rock bottom Forest Green Rovers and a draw at Cheltenham Town have led to dents in morale and those will be results they could look at as the beginning of their downfall.
Ones to watch
Billy Bodin- The top playmaker for Oxford United with seven assists this season and he has found the back of the net on four occasions, could he unlock Sheffield Wednesday’s defence?
Josh Windass- 15 goals for this season for Windass as well as seven assists makes him one of the standout performers in a campaign that has been successful until recently for the Owls.
Form
Oxford United- LLLDD
Goals scored- 3
Goals conceded- 8
Sheffield Wednesday- DLLDD
Goals scored- 6
Goals conceded- 8
Previous meeting
Sheffield Wednesday 0-0 Oxford United
Ipswich Town vs Wycombe Wanderers, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, Portman Road
Ipswich has capitalised on Sheffield Wednesday’s poor form and put themselves right back into that race for automatic promotion, hot on the heels of both teams above them with a game in hand over the Owls, they are sure to be eyeing up that Championship return but can not get carried away just yet. Maximum points from their last five fixtures will give them plenty of confidence, while Wycombe has only picked up one win in their last five, and look to bounce back.
For Wycombe, they sit outside the play-off places, they have been in out of that position this season, and have fallen out since Gareth Ainsworth departed for the Championship without them to take over at Queens Park Rangers, they are not quite out of it yet though, just two points behind Peterborough.
Ones to watch
Conor Chaplin- The forward has found the net 20 times this season and has proven his lethality and has become a nightmare for the division’s best defenders this year.
Gareth McCleary- Eight assists and six goals for McCleary make him key to the success of this season for Wycombe, could he unlock the playoff places for the club this season just as he has unlocked many defences?
Form
Ipswich Town- WWWWW
Goals scored- 13
Goals conceded- 0
Wycombe Wanderers- LWLDD
Goals scored- 6
Goals conceded- 6
Previous meeting
Wycombe Wanderers 1-0 Ipswich Town
Brandon Hanlon 40′
Forest Green Rovers vs Derby County, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, The New Lawn Stadium
It has been a tumultuous season for Forest Green, they have struggled to pick up many wins and currently sit rock bottom of the league. Since the appointment of Duncan Ferguson, they have only picked up one win, over league leaders Sheffield Wednesday in recent weeks.
Meanwhile, Derby County are still on the hunt for promotion and sits just outside the play-off places in the division and will feel a trip to The New Lawn is a perfect opportunity to get some points on the board. Nevertheless, they cannot get complacent and think of this as an easy win.
Ones to watch
Jordan Garrick- Garrick is a promising player and is showing plenty during his time at Forest Green, with four goals and one assist he will be looking to add to that tally.
Conor Hourihane- One of the few with Premier League experience to his name, he is vital to this Derby squad and has cropped up with seven goals and nine assists for the Rams this season.
Form
Forest Green Rovers- LLLWL
Goals scored- 3
Goals conceded- 8
Derby County- LWLLL
Goals scored- 4
Goals conceded- 10
Previous meeting
Derby County 4-0 Forest Green Rovers
Nathaniel Mendez-Laing 5′ David McGoldrick 21′ 69′ 87′
Morecambe vs Plymouth Argyle, Friday 7th April, 3 PM, Mazuma Stadium
Plymouth are hot on the heels of Sheffield Wednesday, having capitalised on poor form, but do still have Ipswich chasing them who are looking like the best team in the division at this point in time if form is anything to go by. Morecambe suffered a hammering at the hands of Barnsley last weekend as they found the back of the net five times.
They travel to a troubled Morecambe side that will be desperate to get some points on the board to lift themselves out of the relegation zone. Meanwhile, Plymouth suffered a demoralising defeat themselves last weekend as they saw Bolton put four past them at Wembley in the EFL Trophy final.
Ones to watch
Jensen Weir- The midfielder on loan from Brighton has found the net eight times for the side and will certainly be hungry for more as they fight for survival.
Callum Wright- A new arrival in January, he spent last season with Cheltenham Town and looked very impressive, since arriving at Plymouth, he has found the net twice and provided two assists also.
Form
Morecambe- LLDLL
Goals scored- 3
Goals conceded- 14
Plymouth- WWWWW
Goals scored- 11
Goals conceded- 1
Previous meeting
Plymouth Argyle 2-1 Morecambe
Niall Ennis 69′ Sam Cosgrove 84′. Anthony O’Connor 90+1′
Accrington Stanley vs Port Vale, Friday 7th April 3 PM, Wham Stadium
Accrington are looking for a way out of the relegation zone to save their status in this division, while Port Vale are seeking to accelerate away and save themselves from the drop as early as possible. One thing that certainly stands out is the number of red cards the hosts have had in recent weeks and the visitors may look to capitalise on that and hope for more of the same, with the hosts winless in five.
For the visitors, they are looking for their first win since the beginning of March, as they have struggled to pick up wins this season and three points on the road will certainly be a welcome sight for fans.
Ones to watch
Sean McConville- Five assists and four goals leave this man top of the charts for Accrington Stanley with a very impressive chances created per 90 statistic at 2.13
Ellis Harrison- The only player to hit double digits this season for Port Vale, 10 goals and one assist leave him as the danger man for Vale and certainly the hosts will be watching him very closely.
Form
Accrington Stanley- DLLLL
Goals scored- 2
Goals conceded- 12
Port Vale- WDLDL
Goals scored- 6
Goals conceded- 8
Previous meeting
Port Vale 1-1 Accrington Stanley
David Worrall 57′. Aaron Presley 52′ (P)
