Welcome to the first Last Word On Football EFL League One preview of the season. Every week we’ll bring you a closer look at some of the key fixtures from each matchweek, as well as having a go at predicting the weekend’s results.
League One Preview: Matchweek 1
Key Games
Wycombe Wanderers v Bolton Wanderers
There was doubt at the start of the week whether this game would go ahead due to Bolton Wanderers’ ongoing takeover issues. However, it was confirmed that the teams would play each other as originally scheduled, although another game, Bury v MK Dons, was suspended due to the financial issues at Gigg Lane.
Most table predictions for League One have Bolton firmly where they lie right now – second from bottom. This is due to the 12-point deduction they were issued (the same as Bury), and with a threadbare squad as well, it doesn’t look like things are going to get better any time soon in a footballing sense.
Wycombe have had a relatively good transfer window, signing within their means and also capturing Fred Onyedinma, who spent the last campaign on loan with the Chairboys, and the loan signing of David Wheeler, who achieved automatic promotion on loan at MK Dons last season.
Had this fixture been just two years ago, it would probably be perceived as a routine win for Bolton. However, points are going to be hard to come by this season with a deflated and limited team to pick from. Wycombe could get off to a good start here.
AFC Wimbledon v Rotherham United
AFC Wimbledon are many people’s tips to face the drop this season. They produced a great escape last time out under Wally Downes, but his lack of managerial experience could well catch up with the side this season.
Rotherham, on the other hand, seem to bounce between League One and the Championship at ease and there’s every reason to believe they can secure a direct promotion back to the second tier.
Billy Jones provides some Premier League nous in defence while new signing Freddie Ladapo from Plymouth Argyle was prolific at this level last season.
AFC Wimbledon’s recruitment in comparison has mostly consisted of non-league buys. That’s worked for them in the past with players such as Mitchell Pinnock and Joe Pigott, however, it’s not something that can be relied upon at this level.
No away game is easy in this division, but Rotherham shouldn’t be fearful of starting their campaign at Kingsmeadow, as it could easily be where another promotion-winning season begins.
Predictions
AFC Wimbledon v Rotherham United
This should be a good starting point for Rotherham to make their mark in the league as they have done before. AFC Wimbledon won’t make it easy with a defensive performance, but the Millers will have more than enough quality to take the win.
AFC Wimbledon 0-2 Rotherham United
Blackpool v Bristol Rovers
Blackpool are set to start their first campaign free from the rule of the Oyston family, and as such, Bloomfield Road could be set for a bumper atmosphere. That should be too much for Bristol Rovers to contend with, although at such as early stage, it won’t damage their season much at all.
Blackpool 2-1 Bristol Rovers
Burton Albion v Ipswich Town
Burton could be outsiders for a play-off spot this season following a recent spell in the Championship. Ipswich, meanwhile, are a huge team for this level and will want to climb their way out at the earliest opportunity. This one could be a cracker.
Burton Albion 2-3 Ipswich Town
Coventry City v Southend United
Coventry City begin their year of groundsharing at Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s Trillion Trophy Stadium against Southend United, who are set for a tough year. The Shrimpers have faced financial difficulty for over a decade now and the playing squad is beginning to feel the effects. Even with the unfamiliar surroundings for Coventry, they should get off to a winning start here.
Coventry City 2-0 Southend United
Doncaster Rovers v Gillingham
Darren Moore’s appointment at Doncaster Rovers seems a shrewd acquisition after the job he did at West Bromwich Albion last season. They have, though, lost talisman John Marquis in the past few days as he joined Portsmouth. The Gills, on the other hand, have made some decent signings under new boss Steve Evans, meaning this could be a relatively even start for both.
Doncaster Rovers 1-1 Gillingham
Lincoln City v Accrington Stanley
Despite playing in the National League just three seasons ago, Lincoln City are being tipped by many for another successful campaign of play-off hunting. Accrington shocked everybody last season by staying up, and they have the quality to be able to do it again, but on home soil, Lincoln should have this in the bag.
Lincoln City 2-1 Accrington Stanley
Peterborough United v Fleetwood Town
Peterborough United have been the big spenders in League One this season and it’s put them among the favourites to achieve a promotion spot. Fleetwood Town are tipped as play-off contenders and rightly so, but they’ll struggle to get something from London Road.
Peterborough United 3-1 Fleetwood Town
Shrewsbury Town v Portsmouth
Portsmouth fans will be desperate to see their side get off to a good start after coming so close to promotion last season. Shrewsbury came dangerously close to the drop, in comparison, and don’t look to have combatted that brilliantly in the transfer market. Portsmouth should gain a comfortable win here.
Shrewsbury Town 0-2 Portsmouth
Sunderland v Oxford United
This simply has to be a promotion season for Sunderland, otherwise, they run the risk of stagnating and remaining in League One. A frustrating summer for Oxford United has seen them a few players short of what manager Karl Robinson ideally wanted, and without the right pieces in place, they could struggle at the Stadium of Light.
Sunderland 3-0 Oxford United
Tranmere Rovers v Rochdale
Two years ago, Tranmere Rovers will have been lining up for another season in non-league. Two successive promotions later, they find themselves here, and although a third straight promotion is highly unlikely, Rochdale at home is a good base to put some points on the board early on, even with the loss of star man James Norwood.
Tranmere Rovers 2-1 Rochdale
Wycombe Wanderers v Bolton Wanderers
Bolton’s situation means that it’s unfair to make any bold predictions on their games currently.
No prediction
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