Oxford well qualified to pass Scunthorpe test

3pm Saturday

Scunthorpe v Oxford

Oxford have been stuck in the Sky Bet League One relegation zone since losing their opening four games of the season but they have improved of late and can move out of the bottom four by beating Scunthorpe at Glanford Park.

Four weeks ago Oxford slipped to the bottom of the division with a 0-0 draw at Southend, increasing fears of a potential drop into the fourth tier.

But the Southend game proved to be the start of something because Oxford go into this weekend's clash with the aim of extending an unbeaten sequence of five league games.

Oxford were totally dominant when defeating Shrewsbury 3-0 at the Kassam Stadium last weekend and the trip to Scunthorpe looks a great opportunity to claim a first away win of the campaign.

At the start of October, Scunthorpe moved into ninth place with a 5-3 victory at home to Charlton.

However, they have lost their last five league games and there is no light at the end of the tunnel for manager Stuart McCall, who is hampered by injuries to several key players.

Star attacking midfielder Josh Morris and first choice midfield duo Funso Ojo and Matt Lund are among the players unavailable this weekend and it is hard to see how the Iron are going to cope.

Recommendation
Oxford
2pts 6-4 BoyleSports, Coral

Bet on these games at Soccerbase.com

Blackburn v QPR

Steve McClaren is reminding everyone of his considerable coaching skills by coaxing QPR up the Sky Bet Championship table and he could lead the Londoners to victory over injury-hit Blackburn at Ewood Park.

After QPR had lost their opening four games – one of them a 7-1 reverse at West Brom – they looked set for a massive struggle to stay in the division.

But McClaren maintained a positive outlook and the players have responded with seven wins, two draws and two defeats in the last 11 league games.

The Hoops look a well organised side – unrecognisable from their shambolic early-season performance at the Hawthorns – and have climbed to within two points of the playoffs.

Talk of pushing for promotion might be a bit far-fetched given the small size of the squad and the club's transfer embargo, which will be in place for January.

But they are in excellent shape for the trip to Lancashire and look dangerous opponents for a depleted Blackburn side.

Rovers' boss Tony Mowbray is hopeful that star midfielder Bradley Dack will shake off a niggle which caused him to sit out training this week but is less certain about the availability of first choice centre-backs Darragh Lenihan (hip) and Charlie Mulgrew (ribs) and will definitely be without goalkeeper David Raya (facial injury).

It could be a makeshift Rovers rearguard and if the hosts fall behind they may struggle to peg back QPR, who are searching for a fourth successive clean sheet.

Recommendation
QPR draw no bet
1pt 6-5 Betfair, Power

Bradford v Portsmouth

Portsmouth have been setting the pace in League One since the end of September and can show their quality by coasting to victory over rock bottom Bradford at Valley Parade.

Kenny Jackett's men have seen their lead over second-placed Peterborough trimmed from six points to two after draws at home to Burton (2-2) and away to Accrington (1-1).

But they look far less likely to drop points against the Bantams, who are on a six-game losing sequence.

Bradford had hoped to stop the rot at fellow strugglers Gillingham last week but they collapsed to a 4-0 defeat, shipping all the goals in a dismal second half.

Their season seems to be going from bad to worse and they are unlikely to put up much resistance against Pompey, who have collected 20 points from a possible 24 on their travels.

Recommendation
Portsmouth -1 on Asian handicap
1pt 11-10 bet365

Port Vale v Notts County

Port Vale fans are not quite sure whether to be looking up the Sky Bet League Two table or over their shoulder but any lingering fears of a relegation battle can be eased by a home win over Notts County.

The Valiants rode their luck when winning 1-0 at home to Bury last Saturday but they have an easier task this weekend and take it on with a stronger pool of players with midfielder Manny Oyeleke and left back Cristian Montano back in contention.

Third-bottom County had an upsurge after appointing Harry Kewell at the end of August but have lost all of their last four games and look vulnerable at Vale Park

Recommendation
Port Vale
1pt 31-20 BoyleSports, Coral, Ladbrokes

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