League One Gameweek 38 Preview: Lincoln City Close In On The Title, Orient Seek Third Straight Win
Gameweek 38 Preview: Competition:Sky Bet League One Dates: Tuesday 17th March 2026 Number of Fixtures: 12 Leyton Orient: AWAY vs AFC Wimbledon (Tuesday, 7:45pm)
A full round of 12 fixtures descends on a Tuesday night as Sky Bet League One reaches Gameweek 38 — and the stakes could hardly be higher across the table. Lincoln City, on an extraordinary 20-game unbeaten run, travel to a Huddersfield side clinging to the sixth play-off spot on goal difference, while Leyton Orient look to make it three wins in a row when they face AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. At the other end, Blackpool host rock-bottom Port Vale in a relegation clash neither side can afford to lose, and Bradford City look to bounce back from their Wigan defeat as promotion rivals Mansfield come to Valley Parade.
Gameweek 38 – Stats & Historical Data
All Fixtures – Head to Head, xG Form & Historical Positions
League One - Matchday 38 Preview
Season 2025-26 | Powered by 6 seasons of historical data
Playoff Race: Teams in 6th place at matchday 38 have averaged 64 points historically.
Relegation Battle: Teams in 22nd at matchday 38 have averaged 33 points historically.
Leyton Orient at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 9th with 59 pts → Finished 6th
2023-24: 11th with 55 pts → Finished 12th
Huddersfield vs Lincoln - Historical Insights
Huddersfield at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 7th with 61 pts → Finished 10th
Lincoln at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 12th with 50 pts → Finished 11th
2023-24: 9th with 60 pts → Finished 7th
2022-23: 15th with 47 pts → Finished 11th
2021-22: 18th with 42 pts → Finished 17th
2020-21: 4th with 67 pts → Finished 5th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Huddersfield 0 wins, 3 draws, Lincoln 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Huddersfield 2-2 Lincoln
2025-26: Lincoln 1-1 Huddersfield (xG: 2.7-1.1)
2024-25: Lincoln 1-0 Huddersfield
Cardiff vs Wycombe - Historical Insights
Wycombe at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 2nd with 74 pts → Finished 5th
2023-24: 13th with 50 pts → Finished 11th
2022-23: 8th with 61 pts → Finished 9th
2021-22: 8th with 65 pts → Finished 6th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Cardiff 0 wins, 1 draws, Wycombe 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Cardiff 0-2 Wycombe
2025-26: Wycombe 1-1 Cardiff (xG: 0.9-2.1)
Bolton vs Doncaster - Historical Insights
Bolton at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 8th with 60 pts → Finished 8th
2023-24: 4th with 74 pts → Finished 3rd
2022-23: 5th with 64 pts → Finished 5th
2021-22: 11th with 55 pts → Finished 9th
Doncaster at Matchday 38:
2021-22: 23rd with 29 pts → Finished 22nd
2020-21: 8th with 58 pts → Finished 14th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Bolton 2 wins, 2 draws, Doncaster 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Bolton 0-0 Doncaster
2025-26: Doncaster 1-1 Bolton (xG: 1.3-0.9)
2021-22: Doncaster 1-2 Bolton
Burton Albion vs Reading - Historical Insights
Burton Albion at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 21st with 37 pts → Finished 20th
2023-24: 19th with 39 pts → Finished 20th
2022-23: 14th with 47 pts → Finished 15th
2021-22: 14th with 47 pts → Finished 16th
2020-21: 18th with 47 pts → Finished 16th
Reading at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 6th with 62 pts → Finished 7th
2023-24: 15th with 45 pts → Finished 15th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Burton Albion 2 wins, 1 draws, Reading 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Burton Albion 1-2 Reading
2025-26: Reading 2-0 Burton Albion (xG: 1.6-0.4)
2024-25: Burton Albion 3-2 Reading
AFC Wimbledon vs Leyton Orient - Historical Insights
AFC Wimbledon at Matchday 38:
2021-22: 20th with 34 pts → Finished 23rd
2020-21: 19th with 40 pts → Finished 19th
Leyton Orient at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 9th with 59 pts → Finished 6th
2023-24: 11th with 55 pts → Finished 12th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): AFC Wimbledon 1 wins, 0 draws, Leyton Orient 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: AFC Wimbledon 2-4 Leyton Orient
2025-26: Leyton Orient 1-3 AFC Wimbledon (xG: 0.2-1.1)
Bradford vs Mansfield Town - Historical Insights
Mansfield Town at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 18th with 44 pts → Finished 17th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Bradford 0 wins, 1 draws, Mansfield Town 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Bradford 1-1 Mansfield Town
2025-26: Mansfield Town 3-0 Bradford (xG: 2.5-1.5)
Peterborough vs Rotherham - Historical Insights
Peterborough at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 17th with 45 pts → Finished 18th
2023-24: 3rd with 74 pts → Finished 4th
2022-23: 7th with 63 pts → Finished 6th
2020-21: 2nd with 70 pts → Finished 2nd
Rotherham at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 14th with 48 pts → Finished 13th
2021-22: 1st with 80 pts → Finished 2nd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Peterborough 3 wins, 1 draws, Rotherham 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Peterborough 5-0 Rotherham
2025-26: Rotherham 0-2 Peterborough (xG: 0.9-1.4)
2024-25: Rotherham 2-1 Peterborough
Blackpool vs Port Vale - Historical Insights
Blackpool at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 10th with 54 pts → Finished 9th
2023-24: 7th with 60 pts → Finished 8th
2020-21: 5th with 64 pts → Finished 3rd
Port Vale at Matchday 38:
2023-24: 23rd with 33 pts → Finished 23rd
2022-23: 17th with 45 pts → Finished 18th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Blackpool 1 wins, 1 draws, Port Vale 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Blackpool 3-2 Port Vale
2025-26: Port Vale 5-1 Blackpool (xG: 2.7-0.2)
2023-24: Port Vale 3-0 Blackpool
Plymouth vs Stevenage - Historical Insights
Plymouth at Matchday 38:
2022-23: 1st with 80 pts → Finished 1st
2021-22: 4th with 71 pts → Finished 7th
2020-21: 16th with 49 pts → Finished 18th
Stevenage at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 13th with 49 pts → Finished 14th
2023-24: 6th with 64 pts → Finished 9th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Plymouth 1 wins, 1 draws, Stevenage 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Plymouth 1-0 Stevenage
2025-26: Stevenage 1-1 Plymouth (xG: 0.6-1.1)
Luton vs Exeter City - Historical Insights
Exeter City at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 15th with 46 pts → Finished 16th
2023-24: 17th with 44 pts → Finished 13th
2022-23: 11th with 52 pts → Finished 14th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Luton 1 wins, 0 draws, Exeter City 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Luton 3-2 Exeter City
2025-26: Exeter City 1-0 Luton (xG: 2.1-0.2)
Stockport County vs Northampton - Historical Insights
Stockport County at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 5th with 66 pts → Finished 3rd
Northampton at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 19th with 42 pts → Finished 19th
2023-24: 14th with 50 pts → Finished 14th
2020-21: 23rd with 36 pts → Finished 22nd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Stockport County 1 wins, 3 draws, Northampton 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Stockport County 2-1 Northampton
2025-26: Northampton 0-0 Stockport County (xG: 1.0-0.3)
2024-25: Northampton 1-1 Stockport County
Barnsley vs Wigan - Historical Insights
Barnsley at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 11th with 53 pts → Finished 12th
2023-24: 5th with 70 pts → Finished 6th
2022-23: 4th with 72 pts → Finished 4th
Wigan at Matchday 38:
2024-25: 16th with 45 pts → Finished 15th
2023-24: 10th with 55 pts → Finished 10th
2021-22: 2nd with 79 pts → Finished 1st
2020-21: 20th with 38 pts → Finished 20th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Barnsley 1 wins, 4 draws, Wigan 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Barnsley 1-1 Wigan
2025-26: Wigan 1-1 Barnsley (xG: 2.1-0.6)
2024-25: Wigan 1-1 Barnsley
Current League One Table
League One Table
League One
Pos
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
1
Lincoln
42
28
9
5
79
36
43
93
2
Cardiff
41
24
9
8
76
42
34
81
3
Bradford
42
21
8
13
52
46
6
71
4
Bolton
42
18
16
8
59
44
15
70
5
Stockport County
42
18
16
8
59
44
15
70
6
Stevenage
41
19
10
12
43
38
5
67
7
Plymouth
42
19
6
17
66
58
8
63
8
Huddersfield
42
17
11
14
65
56
9
62
9
Reading
43
16
14
13
62
55
7
62
10
Luton
41
17
10
14
57
50
7
61
11
Wycombe
43
16
12
15
63
51
12
60
12
Barnsley
40
14
12
14
63
65
-2
54
13
Mansfield Town
40
13
14
13
50
43
7
53
14
Doncaster
42
15
8
19
43
64
-21
53
15
Wigan
42
13
13
16
46
56
-10
52
16
Peterborough
41
15
6
20
60
58
2
51
17
Burton Albion
43
13
12
18
46
56
-10
51
18
Blackpool
43
14
9
20
51
65
-14
51
19
Leyton Orient
42
14
8
20
57
66
-9
50
20
AFC Wimbledon
42
14
8
20
49
63
-14
50
21
Exeter City
43
12
11
20
47
55
-8
47
22
Rotherham
41
9
10
22
36
62
-26
37
23
Northampton
41
9
8
24
34
60
-26
35
24
Port Vale
39
8
10
21
30
54
-24
34
← scroll →
Updated: 14 Apr 2026, 8:42 PM
Leyton Orient at Matchday 38 – Through The Years
Leyton Orient Historical Comparison
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient at Matchday 38
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
19th
50
-9
-4.6
WDDLL
-
2024-25
9th
59
+16
+0.0
LLLWW
6th
2023-24
11th
55
-1
+0.0
WWLLD
12th
Data from 6 League One seasons (2019-2025)
Key Storylines This Week
What to Watch For
Can Lincoln seal the title? The Imps arrive at the Accu Stadium on a 20-game unbeaten run, four points clear of Cardiff with a game in hand. Damaka Skibula’s side have been described as the best team in the EFL right now — they have a chance to make the top two a formality by the end of Tuesday night.
Relegation crunch at Bloomfield Road: Three points separate Blackpool from safety with a game in hand on their rivals. They host a Port Vale side cut adrift at the bottom — but Vale’s 0-0 at Huddersfield last time suggests they won’t just roll over, and with an FA Cup tie against Chelsea on the horizon, John Brady’s men still have things to play for.
Leyton Orient’s three-game streak: Back-to-back 2-1 wins — away at Stevenage and at home to Peterborough — have lifted Richie Wellens’ side four points above 21st. A third consecutive win at Wimbledon, who were beaten by Stevenage at the weekend, would be a genuinely significant moment in their survival bid.
League One Top Scorers
Top Scorers Heading into Gameweek 38
1.
Dominic Ballard (Leyton Orient)
18
2.
Kyle Wootton (Stockport County)
16
3.
Jayden Wareham (Exeter City)
16
4.
Jack Marriott (Reading)
16
5.
Ashley Fletcher (Blackpool)
14
Top Assists
Top Assist Providers
1.
Reyes Cleary (Barnsley)
12
2.
Ollie Tanner (Cardiff City)
11
3.
Lewis Wing (Reading)
10
Match of the Week: Huddersfield Town vs Lincoln City
Tuesday 17th March, 7:45pm
This is the standout fixture of a packed Tuesday night. Lincoln City, on a stunning 20-game unbeaten run and four points clear at the top, travel to a Huddersfield side that has crept into the play-off places on goal difference but look increasingly shaky — Liam Manning’s men could only draw 0-0 at bottom club Port Vale at the weekend. A Lincoln win would put the title almost beyond doubt and send a message to the rest of the division; a Huddersfield win would reignite play-off nerves at the top and give the Terriers a rare morale boost. This is a fixture that asks serious questions of both sides at very different ends of the ambition scale.
Head to Head
Huddersfield vs Lincoln
Last 4 league meetings
Huddersfield0Wins
3Draws
Lincoln1Wins
Total Goals: 5 - 6
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
17 Mar 2026 2025-26
Huddersfield
2 - 2
Lincoln
-
01 Jan 2026 2025-26
Lincoln
1 - 1
Huddersfield
2.7 - 1.1
01 Apr 2025 2024-25
Lincoln
1 - 0
Huddersfield
-
14 Dec 2024 2024-25
Huddersfield
2 - 2
Lincoln
-
Recent Form Comparison
Team not found: Huddersfield Lincoln
xG Trends
Huddersfield - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Lincoln - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Goals by Period
Huddersfield - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
76-90+ mins
Most Vulnerable Period
76-90+ mins
Lincoln - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
31-45 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
76-90+ mins
Historical Position at Matchday 38
Historical Position Comparison
Huddersfield - Tuesday 17th March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
8th
62
+9
+13.8
DLDWD
-
2024-25
7th
61
+17
+0.0
WLLWL
10th
Historical Position Comparison
Lincoln - Tuesday 17th March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
1st
93
+43
-3.2
DWWWW
-
2024-25
12th
50
+8
+0.0
LWLWD
11th
2023-24
9th
60
+8
+0.0
DLLWL
7th
2022-23
15th
47
-21
+0.0
WLWWW
11th
2021-22
18th
42
+0
+0.0
WDDLW
17th
2020-21
4th
67
+26
+0.0
WDWLL
5th
Player to Watch
Jack Moylan (Lincoln City)
Jack Moylan has been one of Lincoln’s most dangerous attacking outlets this season, contributing 8 goals and 4 assists in just 23 appearances — a goals-plus-assists return that underlines why the Imps have been so prolific. His 7.05 average rating is the highest of any Lincoln outfield player with regular minutes, and his 24 shots on target show a willingness to commit in the final third. If Lincoln are to edge closer to the title at Huddersfield, Moylan’s ability to unlock a nervous defence will be central to the plan.
Jack Moylan
Lincoln • M • 2025-2026 Season
28 apps10 goals4 assists7.04 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Everything points to a Lincoln win. They have been irresistible in recent weeks, beating the likes of Stockport 3-1 and barely breaking sweat against top-half opposition. Huddersfield have only lost twice at home all season, so this won’t be a stroll — but Lincoln’s quality, fitness, and momentum make them overwhelming favourites, and the Terriers’ attacking output has been far too inconsistent to back them here.
Prediction
Huddersfield 0–2 Lincoln
One to Watch
Jack Moylan
Key Battle
Moylan vs Huddersfield’s defensive shape
Leyton Orient vs AFC Wimbledon — Tuesday, 7:45pm
The Opposition: AFC Wimbledon sit 13th with 49 points and had been in decent form, going unbeaten in four before suffering a 1-0 home defeat to Stevenage at the weekend — a result that ended their good run and will have stung Gary Jackson’s side under the lights. They’re strong at home and will be looking to respond, but there’s little to play for beyond pride at this stage of the season.
Key Battle: Orient’s attack have found their rhythm with back-to-back 2-1 wins and will be confident on the road — containing their forward runners in transition will be key for a Wimbledon side that was caught out by Stevenage’s direct approach at the weekend.
What We Think: Wimbledon may have the home advantage, but Orient carry the greater urgency. Four points above the drop zone after three wins in their last five, Wellens’ side look like a team that has finally found a way to grind out results. The 2-1 scoreline has become their signature — we fancy them to repeat it here and edge one step closer to safety.
Head to Head
Leyton Orient vs AFC Wimbledon
Last 2 league meetings
Leyton Orient1Wins
0Draws
AFC Wimbledon1Wins
Total Goals: 5 - 5
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
17 Mar 2026 2025-26
AFC Wimbledon
2 - 4
Leyton Orient
-
01 Jan 2026 2025-26
Leyton Orient
1 - 3
AFC Wimbledon
0.2 - 1.1
Recent Form Comparison
Team not found: Leyton Orient AFC Wimbledon
xG Trends
Leyton Orient - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
AFC Wimbledon - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Goals by Period
Leyton Orient - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
46-60 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
76-90+ mins
AFC Wimbledon - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
61-75 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
76-90+ mins
Historical Position at Matchday 38
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient - Tuesday 17th March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
19th
50
-9
-4.6
WDDLL
-
2024-25
9th
59
+16
+0.0
LLLWW
6th
2023-24
11th
55
-1
+0.0
WWLLD
12th
Historical Position Comparison
AFC Wimbledon - Tuesday 17th March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
20th
50
-14
-6.6
DLLLL
-
2021-22
20th
34
-19
+0.0
DLLLD
23rd
2020-21
19th
40
-20
+0.0
DDWWD
19th
Leyton Orient Recent Form
Leyton Orient - Recent League Form
LLDDWW
Player to Watch
Dominic Ballard — Leyton Orient
Dominic Ballard has been Orient’s standout performer this season and the clear leader in the League One golden boot race, racking up 18 goals and 3 assists across 30 appearances. His 29 shots on target and 30 key passes reflect both his goalscoring instinct and his broader involvement in build-up play. With a 6.99 average rating across a full campaign, Ballard has been the engine of Orient’s attack and the key reason Wellens’ side remain in contention for survival — if he fires at Wimbledon, it’s hard to see the O’s not taking three points.
Dominic Ballard
Leyton Orient • F • 2025-2026 Season
36 apps22 goals4 assists6.98 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Orient have momentum and a point to prove. Back-to-back wins have given Richie Wellens’ squad belief, and the fixture — away at a Wimbledon side that just suffered a morale-denting home defeat — is well-timed. We’re backing the O’s to make it three in a row and continue their drift towards safety.
Prediction
Wimbledon 1–2 Orient
One to Watch
Dominic Ballard
Key Battle
Ballard vs Wimbledon’s backline
BTP Predictions — Gameweek 38
Our Predictions
Season record: 37/78 (47%)
AFC Wimbledon vs Leyton Orient
1–2
Blackpool vs Port Vale
1–0
Bolton Wanderers vs Doncaster Rovers
2–1
Bradford City vs Mansfield Town
2–1
Burton Albion vs Reading
1–2
Cardiff City vs Wycombe Wanderers
2–0
Huddersfield Town vs Lincoln City
0–2
Peterborough United vs Rotherham United
2–1
Plymouth Argyle vs Stevenage
2–1
Stockport County vs Northampton Town
2–0
Luton Town vs Exeter City
2–0
Barnsley vs Wigan Athletic
1–1
Final Thoughts
All 12 fixtures come on the same Tuesday night, making gameweek 38 one of the most compressed and potentially pivotal of the season. Lincoln City have the chance to inch even closer to the League One title at a Huddersfield side that appears to be running out of steam, while the relegation battle reaches another critical juncture with Blackpool hosting Port Vale in a game that feels like a genuine six-pointer. Leyton Orient’s back-to-back wins have given Richie Wellens’ side some genuine breathing room, and a third straight win at Wimbledon would be a significant statement of intent.
Best case for Leyton Orient: Orient win 2-1 at Wimbledon, making it three wins in a row and pulling further clear of the relegation zone — Wellens’ side looking safe with eight games to go.
Worst case: Wimbledon, stung by the weekend loss to Stevenage, respond with a home win. Orient’s gap above the drop zone shrinks back to a nervy one or two points.
Leyton Orient Upcoming Fixtures
Next Fixtures
Leyton Orient - Upcoming League Fixtures
Date
Home
Away
18 Apr 2026
Leyton Orient
Rotherham
25 Apr 2026
Blackpool
Leyton Orient
02 May 2026
Leyton Orient
Burton Albion
Check back after the weekend for our full Gameweek 38 League One review with xG analysis and match reports!
Kieron is a healthcare professional turned data analyst and football obsessive. BeyondThePrem was built from scratch as a passion project — the ML models, the pipeline and the plugin are all his own work. He thinks the Championship is the most interesting division in world football and has the spreadsheets to prove it.
Huddersfield8th
Lincoln1st
Cardiff2nd
Wycombe11th
Bolton4th
Doncaster14th
Burton Albion17th
Reading9th
AFC Wimbledon20th
Leyton Orient19th
Bradford3rd
Mansfield Town13th
Peterborough16th
Rotherham22nd
Blackpool18th
Port Vale24th
Plymouth7th
Stevenage6th
Luton10th
Exeter City21st
Stockport County5th
Northampton23rd
Barnsley12th
Wigan15th