Doncaster primed to maintain their promotion push

EFL matches
3pm Saturday

Doncaster v Scunthorpe

Some big clubs are attracting most of the attention in the Sky Bet League One promotion race and that will probably suit seventh-placed Doncaster, who can continue their steady progress with a victory over struggling Scunthorpe at the Keepmoat Stadium.

Donny have as many points as sixth-placed Barnsley and are just six adrift of second-placed Luton, but they are quoted at 8-1 in the promotion betting.

Barnsley are much shorter at 13-10 yet there was nothing between the sides in a 1-1 draw at Oakwell last month and it may be time for punters to take Doncaster's challenge a little more seriously.

Grant McCann's side stretched their winning sequence to three with a 4-0 triumph at Bristol Rovers last Saturday and couldn't have asked for a much better fixture this weekend.

Scunthorpe manager Stuart McCall hopes a local derby can bring the best out of his players but has admitted that some are struggling from a lack of confidence.

Last Saturday's 2-0 defeat at home to fellow strugglers Gillingham was a major blow and left Scunny with just four points from their last ten league games.

They have the worst defensive record in the division, conceding 44 goals in 21 league games, and are likely to ship a few more against a Doncaster side spearheaded by 11-goal striker John Marquis.

Recommendation
Doncaster
3pts 7-10 Betway, BoyleSports

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Preston v Millwall

Millwall celebrated their first away league victory of last season at the 14th attempt and a poor away record – they have gone ten games without a win – will be on their minds when they take on Preston at Deepdale.

However, Neil Harris's side secured seven away victories last season and have a good chance to get their first of 2018-19 against a Preston side hampered by a lengthy injury list.

As the home side Preston will want to get on the front foot but Alex Neil's attacking options are severely restricted with Manchester City loanee Brandon Barker (hamstring) joining Callum Robinson, Sean Maguire (both hamstring), Billy Bodin and Josh Harrop (both knee) on the sidelines.

Louis Moult, Tom Barkhuizen and Lukas Nmecha are the available attacking players but their seasonal league goal tallies of four, four and zero should not strike fear into the Millwall defence.

Millwall have not been anywhere near as solid as they were last season but they were more like their old selves when digging out a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Bristol City on their last road trip.

They should be competitive and look value to get the victory.

Recommendation
Millwall
1pt 13-5 bet365, Betfred, Betway

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Southend v Accrington

Accrington's League One playoff push has been dented by three successive league defeats but they can get back to winning ways against mid-table Southend at Roots Hall.

A victory for the home team would take them above 12th-placed Stanley but they are on a poor run, losing five of their last six league matches, and are hampered by a long injury list.

Shrimpers manager Chris Powell admits to having only 11 or 12 fully-fit first-team players, although he is still holding out hope that he can field central defender Michael Turner and striker Harry Bunn, who are given a 40 per cent chance of recovering from injuries sustained during last Saturday's 2-0 loss at Portsmouth.

Accrington expect to have key defender Michael Ihiekwe back after he missed last Saturday's clash at home to Sunderland, which was abandoned midway through the second half with the score at 1-1.

The performance against Sunderland was the best Accrington have produced in the league for a while and if they play to a similar level on the Essex coast it should be enough for three points.

Recommendation
Accrington draw no bet
2pts 6-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

Northampton v Stevenage

Northampton have been making good progress under Keith Curle, winning five, drawing four and losing two of 11 league games, and they look worthy home favourites to defeat Stevenage.

The Cobblers triumphed 1-0 at Crawley last Saturday – ending a run of three league games without a win – and celebrated the return of star midfielder Matt Crooks, who featured for the last 33 minutes.

Crooks has netted five goals in 16 appearances and his extra quality could be the difference between a mid-table finish and the Cobblers squeezing into the playoffs.

Stevenage have been close to the playoff places for much of the season but are on the slide after five defeats in six games and they may struggle against a Northampton side heading in the right direction.

Recommendation
Northampton
2pts 68-67 188Bet

Bet on this match at Soccerbase.com

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