Derby County v Plymouth Argyle

The market is still yet to catch up with the fact that Derby County are not one of the best teams in League One in their current guise. The Rams were well into odds-on ahead of hosting Peterborough United last weekend, the price drifted out to just above evens before kick-off and the same opportunity to oppose them seems to be arising this weekend.

Plymouth Argyle are heading to Pride Park off the back of back-to-back wins accompanied by a clean sheet. The Pilgrims are full of goals, where the Rams have only scored five in their opening six, and Steven Schumacher has a lot of choice in the final. Finn Azaz, Danny Mayor, Bali Mumba, Niall Ennis, Ryan Hardie and Morgan Whittaker will all be pushing for a start, and the introduction of five substitutions certainly helps teams with that kind of attacking depth.

Derby beat Peterborough United last time out, but they were trailing to ten men until the 88th minute and did not justify the price that they went off at. Liam Rosenior is doing a good job, but the market is treating them like they are automatic promotion fodder, right now that is not the case.

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Exeter City v Milton Keynes Dons

Milton Keynes Dons have started the season slowly, compared to the very high standards that they set in 2021/22, which should not have been too much of a surprise after freshening up the playing squad in the summer. The Dons have picked up seven points in their last three games and broke down a stubborn Morecambe resistance with ease to beat the Shrimps 4-0 in their last outing.

Both sides have been overperforming defensively so far, which could lead to goals at St James Park, even though Exeter have drawn a blank in their last two League One games. The Grecians were outplayed a little in a goalless draw at Accrington Stanley in their last match, though they are rightful favourites given their impressive start since coming up from League Two.

However, in my opinion they are much too short, presenting some value on the visitors, who came so close to sneaking into the automatic promotion spots last season. If they carry on their resurgence in the coming weeks, the Dons will garner far more respect from the market, with Exeter’s promotion bounce slowing down in recent weeks, Liam Manning will be confident of avoiding defeat.

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Bolton Wanderers v Charlton Athletic

By design, Charlton Athletic are both teams to score bankers this season. Their attacking style of play under Ben Garner leads to lots of goalscoring opportunities at both ends of the pitch. Visiting a side of the quality of Bolton Wanderers this weekend, the Addicks will not alter the way that they go about things and Ian Evatt will be confident his Trotters can punish them.

Both teams to score has copped in four of Charlton’s six so far, they have found the net in all but one and conceded in all but one. Both teams to score came in inside 15 minutes at Wycombe Wanderers last time out, and they have the sixth worst expected goals (xG) against figure so far this season.

Conor Bradley up against Charles Clayden will be a key battle that the hosts could exploit, with both sides eyeing a top six finish this term. Bolton could be very dangerous in transition, capable of getting the ball forward very quickly and Ryan Inniss has looked very mistake-prone at the heart of the Addicks’ defence so far this season.

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Portsmouth v Peterborough United

First meets fourth in the early League One table and presents what could be a mouth-watering fixture. Unbeaten Portsmouth currently lead the way in the third tier. Danny Cowley has shown a preference to a balanced 4-4-2 formation that may have received criticism from certain other managers, but is undoubtedly so far proving its worth. Marlon Pack has excelled in a central role, often partnered by small, technical midfielder Tom Lowery and with excellent wide support provided by Ronan Curtis and Owen Dale. Forward Reeco Hackett-Fairchild often looks to make an impact as a substitute, whilst Portsmouth can call upon three strikers who have made encouraging starts to their time at Fratton Park. Colby Bishop is a permanent summer signing after scoring goals aplenty at Accrington Stanley, whilst Joe Pigott and Dane Scarlett are on season-long loans from Ipswich Town and Tottenham Hotspur respectively. Bishop’s ability as a natural, instinctive goalscorer is complemented well by the growing improvement in both Pigott and Scarlett, as well as the service provided by Pompey’s wide men.

The league leader’s unbeaten start is likely to be well-tested though by Peterborough United. Pompey and Posh both lead the way as League One’s top scorers on 13 goals. Jonson Clarke-Harris leads the individual table with five goals for Peterborough, and technical wing-back Joe Ward currently leads the league for assists. Add to that Clarke-Harris’ competent strike partner Jack Marriott, as well as Harrison Burrows in a left-wing-back role and Jack Taylor pushing forwards from midfield, and you are left with a team that few are likely to silence as the season progresses.

Peterborough United’s 2-0 defeat at Plymouth Argyle is the only league game that Posh have yet to find the net at least once in, whilst league leaders Portsmouth possess impressive firepower of their own, as well as goalscoring left-back Connor Ogilvie and Sean Raggett always a threat when forwards for set pieces. The prospect of a high-scoring affair at Fratton Park this weekend should leave many fans drooling with excitement. Portsmouth played a fellow promotion rival in Sheffield Wednesday on the opening day and drew 3-3. A scoreline similar to that here would not feel too big a surprise to many.

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