League One
League One Matchday 3 Predictions and Betting Tips
League One Matchday 3 offers an early measure of which teams can turn positive starts into promotion momentum – here are William Hill News’ predictions.
Bradford City lead the division with two wins and two clean sheets, while Blackpool, Huddersfield Town, Luton Town, Cambridge United and Burton Albion have also made unbeaten starts.
Blackpool v Peterborough United
Blackpool have made a confident start, taking four points from two fixtures. A 1-1 draw at Wycombe was followed by an impressive 2-1 victory at Stockport, leaving the Seasiders unbeaten and showing enough threat in the final third to score three goals across their opening games.
Peterborough have three points after two matches, but their 2-1 home defeat to Mansfield last time out raised some defensive questions. Blackpool should look to take the initiative at Bloomfield Road and make the most of their home advantage.
Prediction: Blackpool to win at 4/5.
MK Dons v Leicester City
MK Dons have drawn both of their opening matches, including a creditable 1-1 result against Huddersfield last weekend. They have been hard to beat and have shown a measure of control, but they will want more cutting edge if they are to turn draws into victories.
Leicester are still searching for a first league win after collecting one point from two games. Their 2-1 defeat to Burton was complicated by a red card, but they have enough individual quality to respond. This is likely to be close, although the visitors have the experience to edge it.
Prediction: Leicester City to win at 29/20.
Cambridge United v Huddersfield Town
Cambridge are unbeaten after two matches, have collected four points and scored four goals. Their 1-1 draw at Bromley last weekend demonstrated resilience, but Huddersfield are their toughest opponents to date.
The Terriers have also taken four points, scoring four times while conceding only once. That balance makes them one of the stronger early promotion candidates, and their greater attacking ceiling could prove decisive in a competitive away fixture.
Prediction: Huddersfield Town to win at 11/8.
Leyton Orient v Barnsley
Leyton Orient responded strongly to their opening-day defeat, winning 2-0 at Wigan in a performance built on energy, defensive discipline and greater control in key moments. Returning home with that confidence behind them, they should be ready to take the game to Barnsley.
Barnsley have made a slow start, collecting one point from two games and failing to score in either fixture. Their 0-0 draw at Doncaster was a step towards stability, but they need to find more attacking threat. Orient have more momentum and look well placed to record another win.
Prediction: Leyton Orient to win at 5/4.
Notts County v Burton Albion
Notts County have drawn both fixtures so far. Their 2-2 draw against Luton showed their ability to create chances, but it also highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities that can leave them exposed in open matches.
Burton are unbeaten and followed a 1-1 draw against Stevenage with a 2-1 win at Leicester. They have already shown they can compete under pressure and get a result away from home. At 2/1, the visitors are an interesting value pick in what could be a lively contest.
Prediction: Burton Albion to win at 2/1.
Plymouth Argyle v Bradford City
Bradford are the early pace-setters after winning their first two fixtures without conceding. Their 2-0 victory over Peterborough and 1-0 win at Sheffield Wednesday have shown a side capable of both creating chances and managing games professionally.
Plymouth have picked up one point and remain without a victory. Their 1-1 draw at Wycombe was an improvement on the opening loss at Stockport, but they face a Bradford team full of confidence and with a defence that has yet to be breached.
Prediction: Bradford City to win at 2/1.
Sheffield Wednesday v Bromley
Sheffield Wednesday opened their campaign with a 2-0 win against Wigan before suffering a narrow 1-0 loss to leaders Bradford. There is no shame in losing to the division’s only perfect side, and a return to Hillsborough offers the chance for an immediate response.
Bromley are unbeaten after a 1-0 win at Barnsley and a 1-1 draw with Cambridge. They have started well, but this represents a tougher test against a Wednesday side who should be highly motivated to bounce back in front of their own crowd.
Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday to win at 5/6.
Stevenage v Doncaster Rovers
Stevenage are still searching for a first win, but they have been competitive in both matches. A 1-1 draw with Burton was followed by a 2-1 defeat to Oxford, and they will see this home game as a good opportunity to get up and running.
Doncaster lost 2-1 at Mansfield before drawing 0-0 with Barnsley. Their defensive display last weekend was encouraging, but they have scored only once in two fixtures and need to offer more going forward. Stevenage can use home advantage to force the issue.
Prediction: Stevenage to win at 5/4.
Stockport County v Wycombe Wanderers
Stockport suffered a narrow 2-1 loss to Blackpool last weekend but have begun the season positively overall. Their 3-1 win against Plymouth on the opening day means they have scored four goals from two matches, and their front-foot approach should give them confidence at Edgeley Park.
Wycombe have drawn both of their games, finishing 1-1 with Blackpool and Plymouth. They remain difficult to beat but are still waiting for a first win. Stockport have the superior attacking output so far and can make their home advantage count.
Prediction: Stockport County to win at 10/11.
AFC Wimbledon v Wigan Athletic
AFC Wimbledon are winless after two games and have yet to score. They were beaten 3-0 at Huddersfield on the opening day before drawing 0-0 with Reading, so finding a way to create and convert chances must be the priority.
Wigan sit bottom after two defeats, including a 2-0 home loss to Leyton Orient. They urgently need a response, but this fixture gives them a chance to target their first points against another side struggling for attacking fluency. The visitors can edge a tense contest.
Prediction: Wigan Athletic to win at 5/4.
Mansfield Town v Luton Town
Mansfield recorded a valuable 2-1 win at Peterborough last weekend and will be confident of testing Luton. That result showed they can be effective away from home, but now they face a team with serious goalscoring potential.
Luton have scored six times in two matches, winning 4-3 at Reading before a 2-2 draw at Notts County. They will want to tighten up defensively, but their attack gives them a clear edge in a fixture that could produce goals at both ends.
Prediction: Luton Town to win at 5/4.
