League 1 Predictions: Thrills And Spills In EFL Third Tier

FOLLOWING some exciting midweek action, EFL League One clubs go full pelt again this Saturday.

Our runaway top two sides prepare for tricky away trips thus impacting on League One betting. And there are also important clashes concerning Play-Off and relegation issues.

Here are the upcoming pairings alongside considered score predictions to assist your football betting…

Plymouth Argyle v Cardiff City

• Kick-off: 12.30pm
• Rankings: 12th versus 1st

Plymouth Argyle preview – Two successive League wins – both away – to sit six points below Play-Off discussions.

Cardiff City preview – Enjoying a four point cushion galvanised by 12 League matches undefeated which complements 13 victories among 18 EFL encounters.

The potent Bluebirds are divisional foremost scorers amassing 62 goals – including 10 enriching their current three game winning spree.

Score prediction: Cardiff cheerful 3-1.

Mansfield Town v Lincoln City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 15th versus 2nd

Mansfield Town preview – Basking in FA Cup glory due to last Saturday’s sensational 2-1 away triumph against Premier League big boys Burnley.

However the Stags subsequently went down 1-0 at Blackpool on Tuesday and haven’t won within six League outings, losing the past two.

Lincoln City preview – Hovering four points off pole position whilst extending an eight point buffer ahead of the chasing Play-Off pack. Lincoln boast 11 maximum pointers during 15 unconquered EFL contests.

Score prediction: Lincoln luscious 2-0.

Bolton Wanderers v Blackpool

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 3rd versus 17th

Bolton Wanderers preview – Eight points shy of second spot. Bolton possess five wins peppering an eight match unbeaten League streak.

Furthermore, one loss throughout 11 EFL assignments. Their only home 2025/26 defeat was 1-0 against Mansfield Town on Monday 29th December.

Blackpool preview – Tuesday’s 1-0 success over Mansfield Town signalled a first EFL victory across five attempts. They haven’t won away since 20th December though.

Blackpool defender James Husband was stripped of the club captaincy this week and receives the “maximum possible club fine” after his second red card of 2026 in last Saturday’s 4-0 home humbling by Plymouth Argyle.

Score prediction: Bolton boisterous 4-1.

Stockport County v Wigan Athletic

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 5th versus 20th

Stockport County preview – Twelve points beneath automatic promotion contention. The 1-0 Tuesday evening reverse at Bradford City terminated an eight match unbeaten League and Cup sequence.

Wigan Athletic preview – New head coach Gary Caldwell made a positive start toppling visitors Luton Town 1-0 on Wednesday night.

It was the Latics’ first win for nine League matches and arrested their four game EFL losing spree. Consequently, Wigan moved out of the bottom four courtesy of goal difference.

Score prediction: Scintillating Stockport 3-0.

AFC Wimbledon v Bradford City

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 16th versus 4th

AFC Wimbledon preview – Five points clear of relegation peril. The Dons’ three game unbeaten EFL run came to an end on Tuesday going down 4-1 at leaders Cardiff City.

Bradford City preview – Three wins inside four EFL affairs overturning three straight League defeats. So the Bantams lie 10 points short of coveted automatic promotion places.

Score prediction: Bantams battling 3-2.

Huddersfield Town v Barnsley

• Kick-off: 3pm
• Rankings: 6th versus 13th

Huddersfield Town preview – Maintaining a single point advantage on teams under that Play-Off zone. But the Terriers’ head coach Liam Manning has lost three consecutive League and Cup games.

He had previously overseen three EFL victories and one draw beyond his 20th January arrival.

Barnsley preview – Two wins amid seven League matches leave the Tykes floundering eight points behind Play-Off qualification.

Score prediction: Huddersfield hurrah 1-0.

Other League 1 Score Predictions:

Rotherham United v Doncaster Rovers 1-1.
Wycombe Wanderers v Stevenage 0-1.
Luton Town v Burton Albion 3-1.
Northampton Town v Leyton Orient 2-3.
Peterborough United v Exeter City 2-1.
Port Vale v Reading 0-4.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*