Preview: League One and League Two take centre stage!

It’s business as usual for Clubs in Sky Bet League One and Sky Bet League Two this weekend, during the international break!

We’ve picked out just six of the key fixtures to keep an eye out for…

Oxford United v Lincoln City (Friday 19:45pm)

We kick off the action in Sky Bet League One on Friday night as Oxford United host Lincoln City at the Kassam Stadium. 

Both teams are out of sorts at the moment with the U’s carding two wins and three defeats in their last five games, while the Imps have only won once in five league games. 

Despite their form, both teams are still fighting for the Play-Off places and automatic promotion respectively, and an upturn in form in the final 10 games of the season could help towards those two goals. 

Blackpool v Plymouth Argyle

Blackpool have become one of the teams to watch in recent matchdays and are unbeaten since early February. 

Six wins and four draws during that run has seen the Tangerines move up into the final Play-Off place in the League One standings. 

Their latest win in midweek, against Peterborough United on home soil, was arguably one of their most complete. 

Plymouth ended their five-match losing run with a 2-0 win over struggling Bristol Rovers on Saturday, a double from Niall Ennis sealing the victory on that occasion.

Hull City v Gillingham 

Top-of-the-table Hull City will have had eyes on that Posh game against Blackpool, and would have been pleased with that result overall, but know that Darren Ferguson’s side still have a game in over them.

The Tigers are in a rich vein of form of late and are unbeaten in seven games, six of those seeing Grant McCann’s side walk away with all three points. 

Gillingham are the visitors to the KCOM Stadium at the weekend, knowing that three points could see them enter the Play-Off places. 

Steve Evans would have disappointed with last weekend’s result, as the Gills surrendered a 2-0 lead against Doncaster Rovers, who fought back to secure a point. 

Forest Green Rovers v Bolton Wanderers (12:00pm)

The early kick-off in Sky Bet League Two comes from the New Lawn as Forest Green Rovers host Bolton Wanderers, as the race for automatic promotion continues. 

Mark Cooper’s men are just two points ahead of Ian Evatt’s Wanderers, and are just three points off Cheltenham Town, who occupy top spot. 

So, a win could see them take top spot depending on results elsewhere, while a win for the Trotters could see them leapfrog their opponents into the automatic promotion places. 

Carlisle United v Cambridge United

After a bright start to the season, Carlisle United have dropped off in the race for the promotion and now find themselves in 12th spot in League Two. 

A defeat in midweek to Leyton Orient in the dying minutes of the game will have come as a disappointment to those at Brunton Park. 

Cambridge have won their last two games, which includes a 1-0 win over fellow promotion rivals Forest Green on Saturday afternoon. 

The ever-reliant Wes Hoolahan was on hand to wrap up three points after Paul Mullin’s penalty miss.

Tranmere Rovers v Mansfield Town 

Tranmere Rovers have promotion to League One firmly in their sights and are only outside of the automatic promotion places on goal difference. 

After suffering the disappointment of losing the 2021 Papa John’s Trophy Final to Sunderland AFC earlier on in the month, they will be using that defeat as motivation in the remaining 10 games of the season. 

Mansfield Town have drawn their last three games in the league, all on home soil, against Carlisle, Grimsby Town and Forest Green respectively. 

Nigel Clough will undoubtedly see the 2021/22 season as his chance to really make a play for promotion.