League One Preview: Bolton travel to Walsall, Scunthorpe United visit Shrewsbury Town

The surprise package of League One so far this season seem to be Scunthorpe United. Whilst Bolton Wanderers’ early wonder to the top has been something of a racing certainty, the Iron have been calmly, but ruthlessly, going about their business.

Last weekend, Graham Alexander’s side underlined that they may well be dark horses for automatic promotion with an impressive 4-0 demolition of Southend United.

The encounter also saw last season’s leading scorer Paddy Madden score on his first league appearance of the season following a troublesome calf injury. Today they travel to take on a Shrewsbury Town side on the fringes of the relegation zone.

The Shrews have suffered four straight losses across league and cup, and manager Micky Mellon has his work cut out to improve those worrying statistics at New Meadow this afternoon.

Scunthorpe boss Alexander won promotion with Fleetwood Town during the 2013/14 season – Photo: Offside.

Southend United on the other hand have a Millwall-shaped mountain to overcome if they are to get back to winning ways. The Shrimpers’ cause was not helped last weekend by the temporary incarceration of new signing Ryan Inniss.

Inniss, who is on loan from Crystal Palace, has been released on appeal and the sentence has been suspended, however it is unclear when the defender may make his way back into the matchday squad.

The Lions made a meal of mauling second-bottom Coventry City, only emerging from the New Den with an unflattering 1-1 draw. Expect them to pick up the pace somewhat at Roots Hall.

In the pick of the other games, Sheffield United take on Peterborough United at Bramall Lane, hot on the heels off the back of their 3-2 victory at AFC Wimbledon last time out.

Posh might be six places higher in the table, but that’s one solitary point above the Blades – who ominously are now steadily working their way up the table week by week.

Leaders Bolton meanwhile visit luckless Walsall at the Bescot Stadium. Saddlers boss Jon Whitney felt his side were worthy of the win, but two penalty decisions went in his opponent’s favour last week at Bristol Rovers – whilst you won’t find many backing them against the Trotters this weekend, don’t be surprised if they make a decent fist of things as the rapidly improving young side gains confidence.

Any one of five teams could be top of the League One standings come 5:00pm, but which way will the pendulum swing?

Full League One fixture list (Saturday, September 17):

Bradford City vs Bristol Rovers

Charlton Athletic vs AFC Wimbledon

Chesterfield vs Northampton Town

Coventry City vs Oldham Athletic

Milton Keynes Dons vs Oxford United

Port Vale vs Gillingham

Rochdale vs Fleetwood Town

Sheffield United vs Peterborough United

Shrewsbury Town vs Scunthorpe United

Southend United vs Millwall

Swindon Town vs Bury

Walsall vs Bolton Wanderers