Friday 9 October 2015 16:58, UK
Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway predicts the outcome of the big Football League weekend fixtures.....
Walsall v Burton, Saturday, 3pm
This one's caused me the most problems. I can see it being a five-goal thriller - second v first, what a game - and I wish I could be there. I don't see either of them not scoring. I really like the look of this Tom Bradshaw up front; I think he's going to be one of the next ones to be brought out of the lower leagues and do really well. He's sharp, his finishing is excellent. I think he might be too much for them but I think it'll be close because Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has got his team so well organised.
Will Rotherham's approach for Dean Smith have rocked the boat? No, I don't think so. I'm sure Smithy's more than happy with the job he's doing at Walsall. He's got a good group of young players who he feels will have a good chance of getting them promoted. It's just a complement to Smithy and how well they're doing. Jimmy was linked as well and I'm not surprised. They've both got good clubs with a realistic chance of getting up; building your CV is more important sometimes than just moving on.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 3-2 (See Sky Bet odds)
Sheffield United v Rochdale, Saturday, 3pm
One of them is supposed to be there - Sheffield United are favourites to go up, despite a topsy-turvy start - and the other one is doing brilliantly to be up there. Rochdale wouldn't be favourites but the job Keith Hill is doing is brilliant. The Blades are normally a formidable club when on their own soil. They've had some wonderful cup runs but I think they'll be happy not to have them this year if it helps to push them over the line in the league.
They're fantastically supported and what a place to go, Bramall Lane. It's absolutely scary when they get going and I just think it might be too much for Rochdale. Billy Sharp's been banging them in and I fancy him to grab another.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (See Sky Bet odds)
Fleetwood v Coventry, Saturday, 3pm
I'm going for a draw. I think you'll see a pick-up in form with Fleetwood. Steven Pressley has come in and what a game he's got against his former club! Coventry are strong and Adam Armstrong's been super on loan for them up front but with new-manager syndrome kicking in, I think it'll be tight.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (See Sky Bet odds)
Swindon v Peterborough, Saturday, 3pm
I really rate Swindon. It hasn't been going for them this year. I know they lost Massimo Luongo and Nathan Byrne but what Mark Cooper did last year I think was brilliant. They played a lot better than many people realised; down this area they were getting real plaudits for the way they were playing and rolling it out from the back. I think they'll pick up. I'm going for a home win but Graham Westley's a manager who knows what he wants from his players so it'll be a tough fixture.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (See Sky Bet odds)
Chesterfield v Gillingham, Saturday, 3pm
Justin Edinburgh's doing a brilliant job with Gillingham. He seems to be so infectious everywhere he goes so I can't see them tailing off. I think Bradley Dack is as good a finisher as I've seen for a long time. He's a very, very good player and he's got a really good barnet which obviously I'm very jealous of. When he's scoring as well, that's a bit annoying, but I had my heyday I suppose! Chesterfield had a good win at Crewe last time out but I'm tipping an away win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (See Sky Bet odds)
Cambridge v Portsmouth, Saturday, 3pm
I think they'll be too strong for the whole division eventually, Portsmouth, and I really like their manager Paul Cook. Richard Money knows his onions too but I just think Portsmouth are going to get stronger and stronger. With the new set-up they've got going they've got great energy at the club and a top bloke at the helm. Another away win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (See Sky Bet odds)
Oxford v Wimbledon, Saturday, 3pm
I watched Oxford the other week against Bristol Rovers and I was really impressed. In Kemar Roofe and Danny Hylton they've got two strikers who, on their day, would score goals in a higher division, let alone in this one. At home, as well, with that ground and the pitch, I've just got a feeling they're going to turn the Dons over. He's got great technique, Roofe. He's a modern-day footballer; beautifully balanced, looks an athlete and he'll only get better under Micky Appleton because he knew him as a young kid at West Brom. The kid's on the up.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (See Sky Bet odds)
Exeter v Stevenage, Sunday, 12pm, Sky Sports 1
I'm reporting on this one and really looking forward to it. Exeter have got some talent, a great academy set-up and a top manager in Paul Tisdale. I'm a big fan of 'Tis'. I like the way they turned over Leyton Orient the other week - that was a shock. They're only six points off the top now. It's been a bit tough for Teddy Sheringham in his first job. However good you are as a player, it's a whole new ball game as a manager, working with players who weren't as gifted.
I'm sure if the club give him chance, he'll get better and better. It's great to see his knowledge come into the game but all I'd ask for is a bit of time for him. It's very difficult going from a centre-forward coach to running the whole shebang at a level he's not used to. It could go either way but I'm plumping for a narrow home win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (See Sky Bet odds)
Notts County v Plymouth, Sunday, 2.15pm, Sky Sports 1
I'm looking forward to seeing County's set-up; I know there have been high expectations there. They're so close to their neighbours Forest - just over the bridge - but it's difficult to compete. I wish them all the best but I think Plymouth will have too much. I really like what Derek Adams has done. No one of knew that much about him, coming down from Scotland, but he's done a brilliant job. I like the look of Hiram Boateng - on loan from Crystal Palace - and Jake Jervis and I'm really pleased to see them doing well. Reuben Reid can play at any level if he puts his mind to it, I tell you. He's strong, got all types of finishes in his locker.
When I went to the club I said that I wanted them to grow and dominate the south west. I think they could easily do it. We had problems getting players down there but we'd almost got over when we ended up so high in the Championship. But two members of the board left - that really affected where we were going - and what was said when I first went there wasn't the same at the end. You can't compromise as a manager and that's the reason I left. I didn't sell any of the players; I wanted to give them new contracts. It all fell away in the end but good luck to them - I still believe that, with their support, they can be a force.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-3 (See Sky Bet odds)
Mansfield v Newport, Saturday, 3pm
I'm going for the new-manager effect here. John Sheridan's come in for Terry Butcher and he did a brilliant job at Plymouth, Sheridan. He set up the team that's there now and he knows this league. They got a good point against Exeter last time out and I'm backing him to get his first three points here.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (See Sky Bet odds)
