Friday 4 September 2015 17:48, UK
Sky Sports pundit Ian Holloway predicts the outcome of the big Football League weekend fixtures...
The Championship's taking a back seat this weekend and the international break can work both ways. It's a good chance to give those not on duty a bit of a rest but you're worried to death if you've got one or two going away. They're out of your control, they might get injured and you can't do the work on the training pitch you might want to do.
I enjoy watching international football but as a manager, there's no doubt it's disruptive.
At least the transfer window's shut! In the Football League you're usually just glad the big boys haven't come and stolen your best players. It's now all about the loan market opening on September 9.
Let's hope we see some of these young Premier League players go out on loan and play some football. It drives me crazy seeing young talent sitting on the bench. Look at Danny Ings at Liverpool. He needs to play!
Anyway, plenty of action across League One and Two this weekend and a hat-trick of games live on Sky Sports. Here's my verdict...
Southend v Peterborough, Saturday, 12pm, Sky Sports 1 & 5 HD
It's been a tough start to life in League One for Southend. They've not got into their winning stride just yet but Phil Brown has been insistent those first three points are just around the corner and I fancy them to come in front of the Sky Sports cameras here. The league's so tight and competitive, I don't think there'll be much in it. In fact, I'm backing Marcus Maddison to get the first goal for the visitors. The Shrimpers to finally get off the mark, though: narrow home win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Bristol Rovers v Oxford United, Sunday, 12pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
This screams score-draw to me, it does. Two high-flying clubs, both on nine points; Darrell Clarke will be delighted with that having got Rovers back in the Football League, while Michael Appleton has got Oxford playing some brilliant stuff. I just can't see an nil-nil. I'm commentating on this one so let's hope it's as exciting as I'm tipping it to be! I'll be watching out for Danny Hylton - four goals already for Oxford.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-2 (Sky Bet odds 14/1)
Burton Albion v Coventry, Sunday, 2.15pm, Sky Sports 1 HD
Fantastic-looking game, this. I'll be down at Burton and I'm really looking forward to it. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has done brilliantly since becoming a manager. I've known Jimmy for a long time and I'm not surprised because he's very determined, very professional in everything he does. I like the look of...Ab-den-asser El Kh-ay-ati. He's got three goals already but I'm hoping he doesn't score another because I need some help pronouncing his name!
Tony Mowbray's a quality boss himself and what a loan signing he's made in Adam Armstrong from Newcastle. Five goals he's scored so far; he's reaping the benefit of playing regular football. This one's going to be tight - 12 and 10 points respectively, these two - so I'm going for a draw.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Gillingham v Doncaster, Saturday, 3pm
They've surprised me, Gillingham. They were struggling when Justin Edinburgh took over but they've made an exceptional start. He'll be delighted with 11 points from five games and I think they'll get three more here because they've been very good on their own patch.
You can never write off Donny with that feisty Scotman, Paul Dickov, in charge - he's nasty to play against because he's a winner! He'll go mad when he finds out I've gone against him, though given my track record, perhaps he'll thank me! It'll be close but I'm going home win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-1 (Sky Bet odds 8/1)
Walsall v Bury, Saturday, 3pm
They've top of the early table, Walsall, but you wouldn't say they were the surprise package if you knew their manager, Dean Smith. He's a shrewd operator who's really getting the best out of some young, relatively unknown players. Romaine Sawyers is scoring and Sam Mantom has been chipping in with goals from midfield. Bury aren't bad but I think Walsall will be too strong, especially at home.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Oldham v Bradford, Saturday, 3pm
I've been scratching my head as to how this one might go; two sides in that middle section, still feeling their way. Bradford absolutely battered my Millwall team 4-0 in the FA Cup at their place last season. With Parky [Phil Parkinson] in charge they're always competitive and I expected them to be right up there this season. Perhaps they will be.
I've got a feeling this one will be a draw.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-1 (Sky Bet odds 5/1)
Barnsley v Shrewsbury, Saturday, 3pm
They're sitting in mid-table at the moment but I like what Lee Johnson is doing down at Barnsley. They were really unlucky in the Capital One Cup against Everton, they played with real energy and intent.
I just fancy Shrewsbury - who put in a great Cup performance of their own to win at Blackburn - to spring an upset and pick up an away win here, though. James Collins is a threat and Micky Mellon is fiercely competitive. Given he used to be assistant boss down at Oakwell, he'll be winding his players up for this one.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Exeter v Leyton Orient, Saturday, 3pm
Only Orient and Manchester City are left with 100 per cent records - and I can only see that continuing. They're far too good for that league; they should never have gone down last season. It was a big blow when Russell Slade left but well done to Ian Hendon; I like his interviews, he seems to have really got them going. Jay Simpson, Lloyd James, Paul McCallum, Dean Cox - they've got goals in them from all over the park. It's going to very tough for Tis's [Paul Tisdale] side. Away win.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 0-2 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Portsmouth v Accrington, Saturday, 3pm
They're banging the goals in left, right and centre in the league, Portsmouth - two at Luton last weekend, three against Morecambe the week before. Accrington are doing alright - they're unbeaten in three league games - but Pompey should be too strong in front of that home crowd.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 2-0 (Sky Bet odds 13/2)
Stevenage v Plymouth, Saturday, 3pm
Teddy Sheringham's up and running - a first win on the board against Hartlepool the other week and then a point on the road at Dagenham last weekend. All the best to him. What a fantastic player and a real leader.
Plymouth are on a right roll, though. Derek Adams came in in the summer and has really got them going. Convincing away win, for me.
OLLIE PREDICTS: 1-3 (Sky Bet odds 22/1)
