The last football matches of 2018 in Sky Bet League One take place on Saturday afternoon as all 24 teams take to the pitch in for the third time in seven days. With another match to come on New Year’s Day squads will be tested to the full here.
There is now just one point between the top two so the leadership could easily change heading into the New Year while things are really hotting up at the bottom of the table and the next few days are massive to so many teams.
Saturday’s fixtures are as follows: (3pm unless stated)
Oxford United v Bristol Rovers (1pm)
Accrington Stanley v Peterborough United
AFC Wimbledon v Blackpool
Barnsley v Charlton Athletic
Burton Albion v Plymouth Argyle
Coventry City v Southend United
Fleetwood Town v Portsmouth
Gillingham v Doncaster Rovers
Rochdale v Bradford City
Scunthorpe United v Wycombe Wanderers
Sunderland v Shrewsbury Town
Walsall v Luton Town
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Big Matches
The biggest match of the afternoon is probably the one between fifth placed Barnsley and fourth placed Charlton Athletic but the focus will probably be on the top two. Portsmouth head to Fleetwood Town looking for the win which will guarantee they finish the year on top of the pile. If they slip up it will be Luton Town leading the way into 2019 if they win at Walsall. Behind them Sunderland in third take on Shrewsbury Town at the Stadium of Light.
Best of the Rest
The two sides immediately above the drop zone meet when Oxford United host Bristol Rovers while in the bottom four Plymouth Argyle head to Burton Albion, Scunthorpe United take on Wycombe Wanderers, AFC Wimbledon host Blackpool and Bradford City make the trip to Rochdale. Elsewhere Accrington play host to Peterborough United.
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Betting
I’ll go for three bets in the division once again. I must admit I was quite impressed with Burton Albion when I saw them at Kenilworth Road last Saturday so I wasn’t overly surprised when they saw off Wycombe Wanderers at the Pirelli on Boxing Day. Rochdale at the only side outside the top half to leave the Pirelli with all three points this season and clearly Plymouth Argyle are not at that level. They have only won two away matches all season and one of them was at Scunthorpe which isn’t saying a lot. I expect Burton to win here.
Sunderland are yet to be beaten at the Stadium of Light and I’m not sure the worst team in the division on the road are going to be the ones to end that record. At this time of year it can be all about squad depth and Sunderland are in a different stratosphere to them in that regard. They had the likes of Charlie Wyke on the bench on Boxing Day and he could easily come into the side here. Shrewsbury have just been beaten by Accrington which isn’t a fantastic result and their only win away from home this year is at AFC Wimbledon and that isn’t much of a form guide. This should be a smooth afternoon for the Black Cats.
Speaking of squad strength my own side Luton Town are loaded with riches should Nathan Jones want to make changes against Walsall. I’m less convinced the Saddlers will be able to do that. Walsall have only won one of their last nine matches and that was against a Coventry side in awful form and they needed two injury time goals to win that 2-1 so they sneaked over the line there. Luton’s seven match winning run will come to an end at some point but the incentive of possibly going top of the table may well ensure it isn’t here.
Tips
Back Burton Albion to beat Plymouth Argyle for a 4/10 stake at 1.75 with BetVictor
Back Sunderland to beat Shrewsbury Town for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
Back Luton Town to beat Walsall for a 4/10 stake at 1.85 with BetVictor
Back them here:
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