League One returns tonight, as a full round of fixtures will be taking place on Tuesday evening. So many storylines have been written already, from Jay Stansfield’s headline move to Birmingham City, to the most recent shock of Crawley Town manager Scott Lindsay swapping life in League One for League Two MK Dons, it’s fair to say there have already been a lot of twists and turns.
Here are three matches we believe that you should be looking out for as kickoff draws closer, with only two more match weeks before the international break next week, where several League One matches will be cancelled due to player call-ups.
As always, let us know in the comments your thoughts and predictions ahead of your club’s fixture!
1. Third vs Fourth
The feel-good factor at Bloomfield Road is well and truly back following the arrival of Steve Bruce as new manager, with The Tangerines winning all four of their league matches under the ex-Newcastle United boss – including eye-catching away wins against Charlton Athletic and Huddersfield Town.
Blackpool have scored 16 league goals in their opening 8 matches, the joint most in the league. Whilst third place Lincoln City have one of the meanest defences in the division, conceding 6 goals in their 7 fixtures so far. Michael Skubala’s impressive Lincoln Side are yet to taste defeat away from home, and will be looking to continue that record against an in-form Blackpool.
Blackpool won this fixture 2-0 on New Year’s Day with goals from still-present players Oliver Casey and CJ Hamilton. Victory would see them leapfrog the visitors, and see them put pressure on the top two sides in the third tier, Birmingham and Wrexham.
2. Blues Vs Terriers
Two recently relegated clubs with serious ambition to make a return to The Sky Bet Championship at the first time of asking. Birmingham City’s impressive summer transfer window has really helped them on the pitch, with an unbeaten start to life in League One as they sit at the top of the table, after winning six of their seven matches and drawing the other one on the opening day of the season against Reading.
Visitors Huddersfield Town have had a mixed start to their own third-tier campaign, winning four and losing four of their first eight matches. Michael Duff’s side are on a three-game losing streak after starting the season in fine form, and will do very well to avoid defeat against a Birmingham City side who are tipped to break a lot of League One records this year due to the quality of their squad.
Birmingham won this fixture 4-1 in the division above last season, and will be looking to match that emphatic scoreline when the two sides meet this evening, to take points off another promotion rival.
3. Early Relegation Tussle
It’s fair to say that when Steve Evans brought marquee signings like Jonson Clarke-Harris, Mallik Wilks and Liam Kelly to play for Rotherham United in the summer they were tipped as heavy favourites to be involved in the race for promotion back to The Championship. However despite having an abundance of talent and experience in their squad, The Millers are yet to really hit the ground running in League One, currently hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference with just one win to their name.
They travel to rock-bottom Cambridge United this evening, who are one of only two sides in the league who are still awaiting their first win of the season. The U’s last three points came at home to Wigan Athletic last season, a match that was played 183 days ago. Garry Monk’s side will be looking to take advantage of their opponents’ poor start to the season and try to pick up some points tonight and at Exeter on Saturday to give them a positive boost heading into the international break.
So, there are our three matches to look out for in League One this evening, let us know your thoughts ahead of the full round of fixtures and whether you are supporting your club tonight from the stadium or from the comfort of your own home, enjoy the football!
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