Before the Round – Trends on England League One (15/08)

1853

League One will feature a full slate of matches on Tuesday for matchday No 3. Bolton Wanderers currently lead the division thanks to goal difference.

Cambridge United, Barnsley, and Peterborough United also started well.

Barnsley - Peterborough United

Barnsley and Peterborough United will play the match of round No 3. The Tykes go into the game in sixth place, with four points from six. Peterborough are fifth after taking six points from six on offer.

The away team won both matches last season between these teams. Barnsley went to Peterborough and won 2-1. United then went to Yorkshire and claimed a 2-0 victory.

The Posh have not conceded a goal this season, defeating Reading 1-0 away and Charlton 1-0 at home. Barnsley started the campaign with a 7-0 win at home versus Port Vale. They drew 1-1 with Bristol Rovers on matchday No 2.

• No defeats can be found in Barnsley's 6 most recent games in all competitions.
• Peterborough are unbeaten in 6 of their last 7 matches in all competitions.
• In their 28 most recent matches of all competitions, Barnsley have been undefeated 24 times.
• Peterborough are unbeaten in 5 of their last 6 League One games.
• Prediction: Both teams to score.

Derby County - Oxford United

Derby County did the League One double over Oxford United last season. The Rams posted a 1-0 win at Pride Park followed by a 3-2 away victory.

Oxford United started the season with a 2-0 loss to Cambridge before winning 1-0 at home against Carlisle.

Derby also began the campaign with a defeat. The Rams fell 2-1 at Pride Park to Wigan. On matchday No 2, Derby County defeated Burton Albion 3-0.

• Derby County are unbeaten in 15 of their last 18 home League One games.
• Oxford United's form hasn't been good, as the team has won only 3 of their last 20 matches (all competitions).
• In their last 8 home games in all competitions, Derby County have recorded only 1 win.
• The team of Oxford United have conceded an average of 3.50 goals in their away matches in all competitions.
• Prediction: Over 2.5 goals.

Shrewsbury Town - Burton Albion

Shrewsbury Town went unbeaten in five of their last six games in all competitions against Burton Albion. Four of those five matches were wins. Town outscored Burton 11-4 in their last six fixtures.

Burton Albion have not started the season well. The Brewers are on a two-game losing streak and have zero points from six. Burton are one of five League One teams to not score a goal in the opening two games.

Shrewsbury took three points from their opening two matches. A 1-0 win over Cheltenham was followed by a 2-0 loss away to Stevenage.

• In their last 13 games in all competitions, Shrewsbury have a poor record of just 2 wins.
• Burton Albion have failed to score a goal in each of their last 4 all competitions games.
• Shrewsbury's most recent games have been low-scoring, with under 2.5 goals in their last 3 matches in League One.
• Burton Albion have suffered 3 defeats by 2 or more goals in a row in their latest all competitions matches.
• Prediction: Shrewsbury to win.

Reading - Cheltenham Town

Reading and Cheltenham Town will meet for the first time. The Royals were relegated from the Championship last season and are fighting for a quick return to the second division. Unfortunately, Reading have not started the new season well.

The Royals lost their two opening games of the campaign. A 1-0 home loss to Peterborough was followed by a 1-0 away defeat to Port Vale.

Cheltenham Town also started the season with back-to-back defeats. A 1-0 loss to Shrewsbury away from home was followed by a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Bolton Wanderers.

• Reading have achieved just 3 wins of their last 24 all competitions games.
• Cheltenham have lost their last 3 all competitions matches in a row.
• Reading are unbeaten in 5 of their 6 most recent home matches (all competitions).
• In their last 12 games in all competitions, Cheltenham have a poor record of just 2 wins.
• Prediction: Under 2.5 goals.