Post by gw on Dec 15, 2006 23:52:24 GMT -1
There are three local derbies taking place in League Two on Saturday afternoon.
Lincoln host Grimsby in one of two early kick-offs, before Bury and Stockport meet at Gigg Lane and Swindon entertain Bristol Rovers.
The weekend's action all gets underway on Friday evening when Hartlepool play Rochdale, before Saturday's midday game between Shrewsbury and Hereford.
Wrexham play host to league leaders Walsall while fifth meets third when Wycombe travel to Milton Keynes Dons.
Meanwhile, at the bottom Torquay and Boston meet in a relegation six-pointer at Plainmoor.
Friday
Hartlepool v Rochdale - (Home 8/13 Draw 12/5 Away 4/1)
Hartlepool have James Brown back from a knee injury but Eifion Williams and Jon Daly are doubts.
Rochdale go into the game with an almost fully-fit squad with Mark Jackson the only absentee.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-0
Saturday
Shrewsbury v Hereford - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Sagi Burton and Danny Hall are both suspended but Andy Cooke is back after a groin problem.
Hereford striker Andy Williams is definitely missing as a sore throat keeps him at home.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-2
Lincoln v Grimsby - (Home 5/6 Draw 9/4 Away 11/4)
Hamstrung duo Jamie Forrester and Jeff Hughes hope to shake off injuries to feature. Midfielder Richard Kell could make his debut.
John McDermott (calf) and Peter Till (illness) will both face fitness tests ahead of the game, while Nick Fenton is banned.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
Macclesfield v Accrington - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Macclesfield continue to be without long-term injury victims Andy Teague, Rob Scott and Tommy Lee. Dave Morley has returned to full training and could play a part.
Accrington are missing Andy Tretton and Peter Cavanagh, while Shaun Whalley is still banned. Michael Welsh returns after serving a suspension.
Skysports.com prediction: 1-0
Barnet v Mansfield - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Magno Vieira is Barnet's only available striker with Liam Hatch banned, Adam Birchall ineligible and Giuliano Grazioli and Jason Norville injured.
Jake Buxton is a doubt for Mansfield after a hip complaint and Stephen Dawson is out with a back problem.
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
Bury v Stockport - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Bury boss Chris Casper could have a goalkeeping crisis on his hands with Alan Fettis and Andy Warrington injured and Lee Jones' emergency loan deal having expired.
Rob Clare is available again but may not win his place back after impressive displays from young defender James Tunnicliffe.
Skysports.com prediction: 1-2
Darlington v Notts County - (Home evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4)
Dave Penney's injury worries in defence could be eased by the return of Darren Holloway from injury. Joey Hutchinson and Mark Albrighton are still out.
David Pipe and Jason Lee are missing for Notts County so Tom Curtis and Dan Martin are hoping to feature.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-2
MK Dons v Wycombe - (Home evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4)
Martin Allen is without John Hastings, Sean O'Hanlon and Jamie Smith but defender Paul Butler is available.
Jermaine Easter is a doubt for Wycombe with a shoulder injury so Ian Stonebridge could get his chance up front.
Skysports.com prediction: 3-2
Peterborough v Chester - (Home 8/11 Draw 9/4 Away 10/3)
Adam Newton and Guy Branston both return from suspension, although the latter is a doubt after picking up a calf strain. Aaron McLean is banned.
Chester boss Mark Wright has no new injury worries for the trip to Peterborough, although defender Sean Hessey is a minor doubt following an illness.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-0
Swindon v Bristol Rovers - (Home 8/11 Draw 9/4 Away 10/3)
Royce Brownlie will face a fitness test on his bruised leg ahead of the game but Lee Peacock and Andy Caton are still sidelined.
Byron Anthony is suspended so Craig Hinton will replace him in defence. Stuart Nicholson returns.
Skysports.com prediction: 3-1
Torquay v Boston - (Home 6/5 Draw 11/5 Away 15/8)
Torquay continue to struggle with injuries, but do have Jamie Ward, Lee Thorpe and Stev Angus fit again.
Boston boss Steve Evans is expected to name the same line-up that was thrashed 4-0 by Wrexham last weekend.
Skysports.com prediction:
Wrexham v Walsall - (Home 7/4 Draw 9/4 Away 5/4)
Midfielder Mark Jones picked up a knee injury last weekend and will miss out, as will Steve Evans who is banned, but Jay McEvilly gives Denis Smith a further option up front.
Dean Keates is touch-and-go as to whether he will feature because of a thigh problem. Hector Sam could play in Allan Picken's absence.
Skysports.com prediction: 0-2
Lincoln host Grimsby in one of two early kick-offs, before Bury and Stockport meet at Gigg Lane and Swindon entertain Bristol Rovers.
The weekend's action all gets underway on Friday evening when Hartlepool play Rochdale, before Saturday's midday game between Shrewsbury and Hereford.
Wrexham play host to league leaders Walsall while fifth meets third when Wycombe travel to Milton Keynes Dons.
Meanwhile, at the bottom Torquay and Boston meet in a relegation six-pointer at Plainmoor.
Friday
Hartlepool v Rochdale - (Home 8/13 Draw 12/5 Away 4/1)
Hartlepool have James Brown back from a knee injury but Eifion Williams and Jon Daly are doubts.
Rochdale go into the game with an almost fully-fit squad with Mark Jackson the only absentee.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-0
Saturday
Shrewsbury v Hereford - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Sagi Burton and Danny Hall are both suspended but Andy Cooke is back after a groin problem.
Hereford striker Andy Williams is definitely missing as a sore throat keeps him at home.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-2
Lincoln v Grimsby - (Home 5/6 Draw 9/4 Away 11/4)
Hamstrung duo Jamie Forrester and Jeff Hughes hope to shake off injuries to feature. Midfielder Richard Kell could make his debut.
John McDermott (calf) and Peter Till (illness) will both face fitness tests ahead of the game, while Nick Fenton is banned.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-1
Macclesfield v Accrington - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Macclesfield continue to be without long-term injury victims Andy Teague, Rob Scott and Tommy Lee. Dave Morley has returned to full training and could play a part.
Accrington are missing Andy Tretton and Peter Cavanagh, while Shaun Whalley is still banned. Michael Welsh returns after serving a suspension.
Skysports.com prediction: 1-0
Barnet v Mansfield - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Magno Vieira is Barnet's only available striker with Liam Hatch banned, Adam Birchall ineligible and Giuliano Grazioli and Jason Norville injured.
Jake Buxton is a doubt for Mansfield after a hip complaint and Stephen Dawson is out with a back problem.
Skysports.com prediction: 1-1
Bury v Stockport - (Home 11/10 Draw 9/4 Away 2/1)
Bury boss Chris Casper could have a goalkeeping crisis on his hands with Alan Fettis and Andy Warrington injured and Lee Jones' emergency loan deal having expired.
Rob Clare is available again but may not win his place back after impressive displays from young defender James Tunnicliffe.
Skysports.com prediction: 1-2
Darlington v Notts County - (Home evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4)
Dave Penney's injury worries in defence could be eased by the return of Darren Holloway from injury. Joey Hutchinson and Mark Albrighton are still out.
David Pipe and Jason Lee are missing for Notts County so Tom Curtis and Dan Martin are hoping to feature.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-2
MK Dons v Wycombe - (Home evens Draw 9/4 Away 9/4)
Martin Allen is without John Hastings, Sean O'Hanlon and Jamie Smith but defender Paul Butler is available.
Jermaine Easter is a doubt for Wycombe with a shoulder injury so Ian Stonebridge could get his chance up front.
Skysports.com prediction: 3-2
Peterborough v Chester - (Home 8/11 Draw 9/4 Away 10/3)
Adam Newton and Guy Branston both return from suspension, although the latter is a doubt after picking up a calf strain. Aaron McLean is banned.
Chester boss Mark Wright has no new injury worries for the trip to Peterborough, although defender Sean Hessey is a minor doubt following an illness.
Skysports.com prediction: 2-0
Swindon v Bristol Rovers - (Home 8/11 Draw 9/4 Away 10/3)
Royce Brownlie will face a fitness test on his bruised leg ahead of the game but Lee Peacock and Andy Caton are still sidelined.
Byron Anthony is suspended so Craig Hinton will replace him in defence. Stuart Nicholson returns.
Skysports.com prediction: 3-1
Torquay v Boston - (Home 6/5 Draw 11/5 Away 15/8)
Torquay continue to struggle with injuries, but do have Jamie Ward, Lee Thorpe and Stev Angus fit again.
Boston boss Steve Evans is expected to name the same line-up that was thrashed 4-0 by Wrexham last weekend.
Skysports.com prediction:
Wrexham v Walsall - (Home 7/4 Draw 9/4 Away 5/4)
Midfielder Mark Jones picked up a knee injury last weekend and will miss out, as will Steve Evans who is banned, but Jay McEvilly gives Denis Smith a further option up front.
Dean Keates is touch-and-go as to whether he will feature because of a thigh problem. Hector Sam could play in Allan Picken's absence.
Skysports.com prediction: 0-2