League One preview

Blades and Dons aim to maintain early pace at league summit

By Ben Collins.   Last Updated: September 9, 2011 1:17pm

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Sheffield United and MK Dons hit the road this weekend as they look to remain top of League One.

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Preston v Yeovil Bournemouth v Chesterfield Bury v Rochdale Carlisle v Hartlepool Charlton v Exeter Colchester v Leyton Orient Huddersfield v Tranmere Notts County v Walsall Oldham v Stevenage Scunthorpe v Sheffield Utd Sheffield Wed v MK Dons Wycombe v Brentford

The Blades have lived up to expectations since relegation from the Championship while the Dons have maintained the form that saw them reach last season's play-offs, with each side dropping just two points from their opening six games.

This week Sheffield United must make the short trip to winless Scunthorpe after winning 4-0 at home to Bury last Saturday.

MK Dons will not be far from Bramall Lane as they are visiting United's bitter rivals Sheffield Wednesday, and Karl Robinson will be delighted with a repeat of last week, when his side played some superb football in a 3-1 win at Carlisle.

Charlton were also joint leaders going into last weekend's fixtures but are now two points back after Wednesday held them to a 1-1 draw. The Addicks will hope to get back to winning ways at home to Exeter this Saturday.

Brentford won 1-0 at Walsall to climb to fourth and Uwe Rosler takes his side to Wycombe this Saturday.

Fifth-placed Tranmere visit seventh-placed Huddersfield, who remain unbeaten despite a slow start.

Sixth-placed Hartlepool are also yet to lose and that record is sure to be tested at Carlisle, who are level with Pools on 10 points.

Three straight wins have put Preston in between them in the table and they host Yeovil on Friday night.

East Lancashire derby

Just down the road in Bury there will be an even bigger game on Saturday when the Shakers hope to leave bitter derby rivals Rochdale still searching for their first win.

Also in Greater Manchester, a win for Stevenage at Oldham could send the League One new boys up into the play-off places.

Notts County return home from their midweek friendly in Turin to open Juventus' new stadium, with Walsall the visitors at Meadow Lane.

Leyton Orient claimed their first point at second-bottom Chesterfield last weekend and visit mid-table Colchester this Saturday, while the winless Spireites travel to fourth-bottom Bournemouth.
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