League One Preview: Top two meet, struggling duo seek response

League One’s top two meet at Ashton Gate on Saturday, where Bristol City will bid to extend a five-point lead at the summit over MK Dons.

These teams shared two 2-2 draws last season but a lot has changed since Sam Baldock’s brace rescued a point for City after they fell two goals behind when they last met in January.

Baldock has left for Championship club Brighton and has been replaced by Aaron Wilbraham, who has made a flying start to life in League One.

The 34-year-old has scored eight goals in his first nine starts for the club, firing them to the top of the league and prompting manager Steve Cotterill to challenge his striker to beat his best season tally of 17.

“If Aaron can score another 10 between now and the end of the season then it will be his best ever,” Cotterill told the Bristol Post after Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Fleetwood Town in which Wilbraham grabbed his side’s third.

“As a team, it is up to the rest of the lads to work hard for him and enable him to get there.”

MK Dons do not lack firepower themselves and enter the match full of confidence having hammered bottom-of-the table Crewe Alexandra 6-1 last Saturday.

Teenager Dele Alli was the star of the show for Karl Robinson’s side, scoring a hat-trick to top a tremendous spell that has seen him named August’s Young Player of the Month and earned him a contract extension to 2017.

Crewe boss Steve Davis is under pressure after a poor start and he will look for a response when his side host fellow strugglers Colchester United, directly above them in the table.

Sheffield United have a chance to pull themselves back into the play-off picture following a disappointing 5-2 defeat at Swindon Town when they host Gillingham.

Swindon, meanwhile, could further strengthen their own promotion credentials and stretch their unbeaten league run to seven with a positive result at Barnsley.

Walsall can climb above Barnsley, and away from danger, if they beat Doncaster Rovers at home, something they have not managed since 2005, while Scunthorpe United look for a way out of the bottom four at Oldham Athletic.

There has been plenty of speculation surrounding the future League One’s 2013-14 Manager of the Season, Russell Slade, but he could strengthen his position at Leyton Orient with a home win against Rochdale.

Peterborough United go in search of a first league win in four against Fleetwood on Saturday, while fellow play-off contenders Bradford City and Chesterfield have home clashes with Port Vale and Notts County respectively.

In mid-table, Coventry City meet Preston North End at the Ricoh Arena, while Yeovil Town travel to Crawley Town.