League One Preview: Gillingham and Bury go head-to-head, table toppers Millwall visit MK Dons

Two of the more impressive performers from Week One in League One go head-to-head today; as Gillingham, 3-1 winners against a much fancied Southend United side, take on Bury, 2-0 victors against a Charlton Athletic side who had just come down from the Championship, at the Priestfield Stadium.

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas showed supreme class scoring one and setting up another for the Gills last week and looks like one of the hotshots to watch again as he enjoys his season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers.

Gills’ loanee star Emmanuel-Thomas – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Peterborough United’s fans get to cheer on their heroes for the second week running, and will be feeling confident following their 3-2 opening day victory – as they face a rather out of sorts Bradford City side who disappointed with a 0-0 bore draw with Port Vale last time out.

Whilst Rochdale were on the wrong end of a Posh victory, they will feel unlucky having lost to the odd goal in five – and a particularly odd goal it was, given that a late goalkeeping error gifted the points to the East Anglian side.

They face Sheffield United, who found their Blades blunted by Bolton Wanderers in their last match, having missed an absolute hatful.

Bolton boss Phil Parkinson might have been impressed by Jay Spearing’s wonder goal that put pay to Sheffield United, but he probably won’t be banking on him repeating the feat away to AFC Wimbledon – given they themselves suffered a 3-1 loss to a Simeon Jackson inspired Walsall, he probably won’t need to.

Jackson’s brace for his new club saw them bank a precious three points on the opening day. The Saddlers are much changed to last season, but seem no less reliable and exciting for the neutral to enjoy – they will want to continue that trend away to Oldham Athletic later today, who were dismantled 3-0 by Millwall at the The Den.

Another side taken apart in Week One were Russell Slade’s Charlton Athletic, they will need to arrest their seemingly continuing slide down the Football League pyramid against Rob Page’s Northampton Town, who started last week at Sixfields Stadium with a 1-1 draw and no home kit, and will be relieved this game is being held away at The Valley.

Charlton have signed Josh Magennis from Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock for an undisclosed fee and Leeds winger Jordan Botaka on loan, so perhaps the new personnel will help shake things up.

Northern Ireland international Magennis joined Charlton in midweek – Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Milton Keynes Dons take on Millwall having recruited striker Kieran Agard from Bristol City for a club-record transfer fee – but will that be enough to silence the Lions’ roar?

Coventry City and Shrewsbury Town meet at the Ricoh Arena having both struggled with 1-0 defeats last weekend, knowing at least one of them is bound to break their 2016/2017 point-scoring duck.

Fleetwood Town host Scunthorpe United. Graham Alexander’s Iron surging towards the top end of the table with a 3-1 humdinger versus Bristol Rovers, will want to build on those foundations.

The Pirates will want to put things right at home against Oxford United tomorrow (Sunday), as the U’s search for their first win after last week’s 1-1 stalemate against Chesterfield.

Who scored Chesterfield’s goal then… Yes, you guessed it! Ched Evans. A 30-yard thunderbolt of a free-kick, repaying some of the faith that the Spireites have shown in him – he’ll be looking to at least double that tally as they take on Swindon Town at the Proact Stadium.

In the division’s final fixture, Port Vale will want to bring their shooting boots as Southend rock up with a goal difference of minus two (-2).