MY ACCOUNT
Barnsley are on a four-game unbeaten run going into Saturday’s home League One clash with Charlton, while Morecambe and Accrington are among the other teams in action in the third tier.
Barnsley vs Charlton (Saturday, 3pm)
Promotion aspirations will be on the minds of Barnsley and Charlton when they do battle at Oakwell.
The sixth-placed Tykes will hope to build on last Saturday’s impressive 3-0 success at Cambridge, while mid-table Charlton have ground to make up after winning just two of their opening nine matches.
The stats
Barnsley were used to losing games in the Championship but they have shown more resilience in League One and are looking to extend a four-game unbeaten run.
The Tykes have won three of their last four matches in all competitions without conceding a goal.
Charlton are on the back foot after failing to win any of their last five league matches.
The Addicks are still awaiting their first away league win of the season after three draws and two losses on their travels.
Prediction
There has been a discernible improvement in Barnsley’s performances and results in recent weeks and the trend could continue.
Michael Duff’s side have taken eight points from their last four league fixtures, including a 2-2 draw at leaders Ipswich and a 2-0 success at high-fliers Sheffield Wednesday.
The Tykes’ much-changed squad seems to have settled down and they look more assured than Charlton, who are getting used to a new playing style under Ben Garner.
Charlton were slightly fortunate to draw 1-1 at Fleetwood last weekend and this trip to Barnsley looks a fair bit tougher.
Morecambe vs Cambridge (Saturday, 3pm)
Morecambe remain in the bottom three despite last Saturday’s 2-1 success at fellow strugglers Forest Green but they will be trying to follow up at home to ninth-placed Cambridge, who saw their 100% home record disappear with a 3-0 loss to Barnsley.
The stats
Improved home results will be the aim for Morecambe, who have taken just two points from four matches at the Mazuma Stadium.
The Shrimps are facing a Cambridge side who remain winless on their travels after managing just one point from four away fixtures.
Prediction
Cambridge have collected all of their four league wins on home soil but they have a great chance to post an away victory against the second-bottom Shrimps, who look strong relegation candidates.
Morecambe manager Derek Adams favours a counter-attacking strategy, but his tactics have been better suited to away games and that may hand the initiative to Cambridge.
The U’s can do some damage with top quality attackers Sam Smith and Joe Ironside in their ranks.
Bristol Rovers vs Accrington Stanley (Saturday, 3pm)
Bristol Rovers have some questions to answer after last Saturday’s 6-3 defeat at home to Lincoln, which pushed them into the drop zone for the first time this season.
They will be aiming for a response against Accrington, who pulled away from danger with a 1-0 success at home to Cheltenham.
The stats
Tightening up at the back is the priority for Rovers, who are winless in seven and have the second-worst defensive record (19 goals conceded) in the division.
Meanwhile, Accrington are searching for some respite on the road after no away win in four.
Prediction
Dreadful defending cost Rovers last weekend but the return from suspension of on-loan Burnley centre-back Bobby Thomas should help them this weekend.
Joey Barton’s side carry enough of a threat to edge past Stanley, who have netted just three times in five away fixtures.
