In the pick of this week’s games in League One, leaders Scunthorpe United take on a speedily improving Sheffield United at Glanford Park.
Chris Wilder’s Blades have been building momentum after their sluggish opening to the season and last week leapfrogged Peterborough United in the standings with a 1-0 victory that now sees them sat in sixth place.
Scunthorpe moved two points clear at the league summit following a goalless draw with Charlton Athletic in midweek and will be hoping to build on the strong foundations they have already put in place.
Early season pacesetters Bolton Wanderers relinquished top spot last weekend with a disappointing defeat away at Walsall. They will want to get back to winning ways as quickly as possible, but today’s visitors to the Macron Stadium will be no pushovers, as fourth placed Bradford City come to town.
The Bantams know that a win will take them above their hosts, but are rapidly becoming a dream choice for football pools fans having drawn their last four league fixtures 1-1 – they’ll need to break that run of results if they are to break away from the chasing pack.
Bradford’s most recent draw, against Bristol Rovers, may not live long in the memory for its footballing endeavours, but did make the news bulletins thanks to the game being suspended for a short time due to a drone hovering over the pitch.
A new one for the record books, but don’t expect a repeat performance at Bolton this afternoon.
In other games, there is an interesting looking encounter in the making as 18th placed AFC Wimbledon host Shrewsbury Town at Kingsmeadow against a Shrews side still struggling to come to grips with life in League One this year. Another loss for Shrewsbury could spell real trouble, as they bob about in the drop zone.
And finally, a brief word for larger than life Peterborough chairman Darragh MacAnthony, who this week celebrates 10 years in the Posh boardroom, as his side take on Walsall.
The Saddlers’ young side is beginning to gel and will want to spoil the party today, as Posh look to get back to winning ways.
Full League One fixture list (Saturday, September 24):
AFC Wimbledon vs Shrewsbury Town
Bolton Wanderers vs Bradford City
Bristol Rovers vs Port Vale
Bury vs Chesterfield
Fleetwood Town vs Milton Keynes Dons
Gillingham vs Coventry City
Millwall vs Rochdale
Northampton Town vs Southend United
Oldham Athletic vs Swindon Town
Oxford United vs Charlton Athletic
Peterborough United vs Walsall
Scunthorpe United vs Sheffield United