Welcome back to our League One preview series, where we take a closer look at some of the key games from the upcoming matchweek. This week, we look at whether Coventry City can bounce back from their recent slump against the struggling MK Dons. Also, Sunderland are aiming to kick start the Phil Parkinson era away at the league’s surprise package, Wycombe Wanderers.
League One Preview: Coventry City Look for Bounceback and Phil Parkinson Gets Going
Coventry City Looking to Bounce Back Against Strugglers
This season was always going to be difficult in one particular way for Coventry: their lack of a permanent home. For the second time this decade, the Sky Blues are being forced to play away from their home city, this time being taken in by Birmingham City having also played at Northampton Town in the recent past.
They defied the odds early on in the season, but a late defeat at ‘home’ to Tranmere Rovers last week made it four games without a win in all competitions. What better way to bounce back, then, than against a team that are having similar struggles.
There’s no way Paul Tisdale could have foreseen the number of injuries his MK Dons squad would suffer this season. They’re currently operating with just one senior striker, Jordan Bowery, after injuries to Joe Mason, Kieran Agard, Sam Nombe and Rhys Healey. Youngster Dylan Asonganyi is waiting in the wings, but Tisdale seems reluctant to give him too much exposure in a clearly struggling team.
The Dons have lost their last five league matches and have dropped down to 19th after a relatively positive start to the season. They’re eight points behind Coventry and only three better off than rivals AFC Wimbledon, who have had a resurgence of sorts under the temporary guidance of Glyn Hodges.
On paper, this should be easy for Coventry City given the respective league positions of the teams, but MK Dons will know that their season will get a lot harder if they don’t get something positive against the Sky Blues.
Phil Parkinson Era Gets Underway
Sunderland made the somewhat surprising decision to sack Jack Ross last week, despite sitting comfortably in the top half of League One. They moved quickly to appoint former Bolton Wanderers boss Phil Parkinson, and his time at the Black Cats helm gets underway this weekend at Wycombe Wanderers.
Under Gareth Ainsworth, one of the main candidates for the Sunderland job, Wycombe have defied all reasonable expectations this season. They sit second in League One, four points behind leaders Ipswich Town, having lost just once all season.
Just this fixture being a reality would have been almost inconceivable a few seasons ago, with Wycombe struggling in League Two and Sunderland plying their trade in the Premier League. Perhaps even more unbelievable is that Wycombe come into this one with the feeling that a loss could send them home disappointed. It’s a clear sign of how much Ainsworth has improved them in a short space of time.
Parkinson will, obviously, want to get his tenure off to a winning start, but Wycombe aren’t going to just roll over and let them get on with it. This is perhaps the toughest start the new boss could have got, and a poor result could make the rest of his task this season a level harder.
League One Predictions
Friday
Lincoln City v Shrewsbury Town
Only one place separates these two sides in the table and they’re currently level on points. The Shrews, though, have played two fewer games to reach that total. This one is likely to be as tight as the table suggests.
Lincoln City 1-1 Shrewsbury Town
Tranmere Rovers v Southend United
Southend have been without a manager for over a month now, and their performances on the pitch suggest it. They still have just one win this season and even against another struggling side in Tranmere, they could be in for another rough game.
Tranmere Rovers 2-0 Southend United
Saturday
AFC Wimbledon v Portsmouth
AFC Wimbledon have been on a mini-revival under the temporary stewardship of Glyn Hodges following Wally Downes’ suspension. They are still in the relegation zone, but now seem to have some confidence in the side, enough to gain a positive result against a less-than-impressive Portsmouth side.
AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Portsmouth
Bolton Wanderers v Rochdale
Bolton continue to struggle at the foot of the table but performances under Keith Hill are improving, and with players returning from injury, there’s a good feeling that this could be the game where Wanderers finally get their first win.
Bolton Wanderers 1-0 Rochdale
Doncaster Rovers v Bristol Rovers
Bristol Rovers are quietly going about their business in a positive manner under Graham Coughlan. They’re rarely being talked about but are unbeaten since the end of August and sit fourth in the table. Doncaster aren’t doing too bad themselves, but Coughlan’s side will be confident they can continue their fine work.
Doncaster Rovers 0-1 Bristol Rovers
Fleetwood Town v Burton Albion
Fleetwood are another side that perhaps aren’t receiving the plaudits they deserve. Joey Barton’s side are fifth in the table and he guided his team to ten points out of 12 in September. They should have too much for mid-table Burton.
Fleetwood Town 2-0 Burton Albion
Gillingham v Peterborough United
Peterborough’s frightening front three have been on fire this season and their league position is finally starting to show their true quality. Expect goals as they take on their former boss Steve Evans at Gillingham.
Gillingham 2-3 Peterborough United
MK Dons v Coventry City
Coventry are expected to have a huge backing as they make the short journey down to Milton Keynes. It could be a big help for them as they aim to recover from a blip, but the same could be said about the Dons. Stadium MK can come alive for big games like this, so it should be an even result to match.
MK Dons 1-1 Coventry City
Rotherham United v Oxford United
After a difficult start to the season, Karl Robinson is working wonders with Oxford United. They’ve not lost in five games and are eighth in the league going into a tough away game at Rotherham, who have won their last two. This should be entertaining, but a fair result too.
Rotherham United 2-2 Oxford United
Wycombe Wanderers v Sunderland
Sunderland get the Phil Parkinson era going at Adams Park, and even though league positioning and overall form might suggest otherwise, Sunderland’s quality should come to the fore under the new boss.
Wycombe Wanderers 1-2 Sunderland
Sunday
Accrington Stanley v Ipswich Town
After miraculously staying up, and comfortably, last season, it looks like it’s going to be a season of struggle for Accrington. They’ve only lost once in five but they draw too many games as well. League leaders Ipswich should have no problems in taking the points here.
Accrington Stanley 0-3 Ipswich Town
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