League One Gameweek 39 Preview: Orient Riding High, Lincoln Face New-Look Rotherham
Gameweek 39 Preview: Competition:Sky Bet League One Dates: Saturday 21st March 2026 Number of Fixtures: 12 Leyton Orient: HOME vs Wycombe Wanderers (Saturday, 3:00pm)
Gameweek 39 arrives with Sky Bet League One entering its decisive final stretch — and the stories are coming thick and fast. Leyton Orient host Wycombe Wanderers at Brisbane Road buoyed by a stunning 4-2 win at AFC Wimbledon in midweek, Dom Ballard’s hat-trick firing them to four points clear of the relegation zone. Lincoln City, on 21 games unbeaten, welcome newly-managed Rotherham United — Matt Hamshaw sacked mid-week and Lee Clark installed — in what could be a routine afternoon for the league leaders. And in the standout playoff fixture of the weekend, Stevenage host a Reading side who have just moved into the top six and are building momentum at exactly the right time.
Gameweek 39 – Stats & Historical Data
All Fixtures – Head to Head, xG Form & Historical Positions
League One - Matchday 39 Preview
Season 2025-26 | Powered by 6 seasons of historical data
Playoff Race: Teams in 6th place at matchday 39 have averaged 65 points historically.
Relegation Battle: Teams in 22nd at matchday 39 have averaged 34 points historically.
Leyton Orient at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 7th with 62 pts → Finished 6th
2023-24: 11th with 58 pts → Finished 12th
Cardiff vs Blackpool - Historical Insights
Blackpool at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 10th with 57 pts → Finished 9th
2023-24: 9th with 60 pts → Finished 8th
2020-21: 5th with 67 pts → Finished 3rd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Cardiff 0 wins, 1 draws, Blackpool 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Cardiff 0-0 Blackpool
2025-26: Blackpool 3-1 Cardiff (xG: 2.8-3.1)
Luton vs Stockport County - Historical Insights
Stockport County at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 5th with 69 pts → Finished 3rd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Luton 1 wins, 1 draws, Stockport County 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Luton 1-1 Stockport County
2025-26: Stockport County 0-3 Luton (xG: 2.0-1.1)
Wigan vs Exeter City - Historical Insights
Wigan at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 16th with 46 pts → Finished 15th
2023-24: 10th with 58 pts → Finished 10th
2021-22: 1st with 82 pts → Finished 1st
2020-21: 21st with 38 pts → Finished 20th
Exeter City at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 17th with 46 pts → Finished 16th
2023-24: 16th with 47 pts → Finished 13th
2022-23: 11th with 53 pts → Finished 14th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Wigan 2 wins, 3 draws, Exeter City 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Wigan 2-0 Exeter City
2025-26: Exeter City 1-1 Wigan (xG: 1.4-2.7)
2024-25: Exeter City 1-1 Wigan
Barnsley vs Doncaster - Historical Insights
Barnsley at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 11th with 54 pts → Finished 12th
2023-24: 5th with 71 pts → Finished 6th
2022-23: 4th with 75 pts → Finished 4th
Doncaster at Matchday 39:
2021-22: 23rd with 30 pts → Finished 22nd
2020-21: 11th with 58 pts → Finished 14th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Barnsley 1 wins, 0 draws, Doncaster 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Barnsley 0-1 Doncaster
2025-26: Doncaster 1-2 Barnsley (xG: 1.3-0.7)
Burton Albion vs Bradford - Historical Insights
Burton Albion at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 21st with 37 pts → Finished 20th
2023-24: 19th with 39 pts → Finished 20th
2022-23: 14th with 48 pts → Finished 15th
2021-22: 15th with 47 pts → Finished 16th
2020-21: 17th with 48 pts → Finished 16th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Burton Albion 2 wins, 0 draws, Bradford 0 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Burton Albion 2-1 Bradford
2025-26: Bradford 1-2 Burton Albion (xG: 1.9-2.3)
AFC Wimbledon vs Peterborough - Historical Insights
AFC Wimbledon at Matchday 39:
2021-22: 20th with 34 pts → Finished 23rd
2020-21: 19th with 40 pts → Finished 19th
Peterborough at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 18th with 45 pts → Finished 18th
2023-24: 3rd with 74 pts → Finished 4th
2022-23: 6th with 64 pts → Finished 6th
2020-21: 2nd with 73 pts → Finished 2nd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): AFC Wimbledon 2 wins, 1 draws, Peterborough 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: AFC Wimbledon 1-1 Peterborough
2025-26: Peterborough 5-0 AFC Wimbledon (xG: 3.3-0.7)
2020-21: Peterborough 3-0 AFC Wimbledon
Port Vale vs Bolton - Historical Insights
Port Vale at Matchday 39:
2023-24: 23rd with 33 pts → Finished 23rd
2022-23: 17th with 45 pts → Finished 18th
Bolton at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 9th 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 58 pts → Finished 9th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Port Vale 1 wins, 1 draws, Bolton 4 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Port Vale 1-0 Bolton
2025-26: Bolton 4-0 Port Vale (xG: 1.0-1.1)
2023-24: Bolton 2-0 Port Vale
Plymouth vs Huddersfield - Historical Insights
Plymouth at Matchday 39:
2022-23: 1st with 83 pts → Finished 1st
2021-22: 4th with 74 pts → Finished 7th
2020-21: 15th with 52 pts → Finished 18th
Huddersfield at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 8th with 61 pts → Finished 10th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Plymouth 1 wins, 0 draws, Huddersfield 1 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Plymouth 3-1 Huddersfield
2025-26: Huddersfield 3-1 Plymouth (xG: 2.1-0.5)
Stevenage vs Reading - Historical Insights
Stevenage at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 13th with 49 pts → Finished 14th
2023-24: 6th with 64 pts → Finished 9th
Reading at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 6th with 65 pts → Finished 7th
2023-24: 15th with 48 pts → Finished 15th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Stevenage 1 wins, 2 draws, Reading 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Stevenage 1-0 Reading
2025-26: Reading 1-0 Stevenage (xG: 0.4-0.9)
2024-25: Reading 1-1 Stevenage
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe - Historical Insights
Leyton Orient at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 7th with 62 pts → Finished 6th
2023-24: 11th with 58 pts → Finished 12th
Wycombe at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 2nd with 77 pts → Finished 5th
2023-24: 12th with 53 pts → Finished 11th
2022-23: 8th with 62 pts → Finished 9th
2021-22: 8th with 66 pts → Finished 6th
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Leyton Orient 2 wins, 1 draws, Wycombe 3 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Leyton Orient 2-0 Wycombe
2025-26: Wycombe 4-1 Leyton Orient (xG: 1.9-2.0)
2024-25: Leyton Orient 1-0 Wycombe
Mansfield Town vs Northampton - Historical Insights
Mansfield Town at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 15th with 47 pts → Finished 17th
Northampton at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 19th with 43 pts → Finished 19th
2023-24: 14th with 50 pts → Finished 14th
2020-21: 20th with 39 pts → Finished 22nd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Mansfield Town 2 wins, 0 draws, Northampton 2 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Mansfield Town 4-1 Northampton
2025-26: Northampton 2-1 Mansfield Town (xG: 1.6-0.5)
2024-25: Mansfield Town 0-1 Northampton
Lincoln vs Rotherham - Historical Insights
Lincoln at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 12th with 50 pts → Finished 11th
2023-24: 8th with 63 pts → Finished 7th
2022-23: 15th with 48 pts → Finished 11th
2021-22: 18th with 45 pts → Finished 17th
2020-21: 4th with 70 pts → Finished 5th
Rotherham at Matchday 39:
2024-25: 14th with 48 pts → Finished 13th
2021-22: 2nd with 80 pts → Finished 2nd
Head to Head (Last 6 seasons): Lincoln 2 wins, 1 draws, Rotherham 5 wins
Recent Meetings:
2025-26: Lincoln 3-0 Rotherham
2025-26: Rotherham 3-0 Lincoln (xG: 0.6-1.2)
2024-25: Lincoln 0-1 Rotherham
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
42
24
10
8
77
43
34
82
3
Bolton
43
19
16
8
64
45
19
73
4
Stockport County
42
21
8
13
52
46
6
71
5
Bradford
42
21
8
13
52
46
6
71
6
Stevenage
42
19
10
13
44
43
1
67
7
Huddersfield
43
17
12
14
66
57
9
63
8
Plymouth
42
19
6
17
66
58
8
63
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
41
14
13
14
63
65
-2
55
13
Wigan
43
14
13
16
49
56
-7
55
14
Mansfield Town
41
13
15
13
50
43
7
54
15
Doncaster
42
15
8
19
43
64
-21
53
16
Peterborough
41
15
6
20
60
58
2
51
17
Leyton Orient
43
14
9
20
57
66
-9
51
18
Burton Albion
43
13
12
18
46
56
-10
51
19
Blackpool
43
14
9
20
51
65
-14
51
20
AFC Wimbledon
42
14
8
20
49
63
-14
50
21
Exeter City
43
12
11
20
47
55
-8
47
22
Rotherham
42
9
10
23
36
65
-29
37
23
Port Vale
40
8
11
21
30
54
-24
35
24
Northampton
41
9
8
24
34
60
-26
35
← scroll →
Updated: 15 Apr 2026, 6:00 PM
Leyton Orient at Matchday 39 – Through The Years
Leyton Orient Historical Comparison
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient at Matchday 39
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
17th
51
-9
-4.6
DDLLD
-
2024-25
7th
62
+17
+0.0
LLWWW
6th
2023-24
11th
58
+0
+0.0
WLLDW
12th
Data from 6 League One seasons (2019-2025)
Key Storylines This Week
What to Watch For
Dom Ballard unstoppable: The on-loan Southampton striker has now scored 21 goals this season — equalling last year’s League One top scorer tally — after a hat-trick in Tuesday’s 4-2 win at Wimbledon. Five goals in his last three games, back-to-back wins for Orient, and four points of breathing room above the drop zone. Wycombe will have done their homework, but there’s no obvious way to stop him right now.
Lee Clark’s Rotherham debut: Matt Hamshaw was sacked on Wednesday morning after a 5-0 drubbing at Peterborough. Lee Clark — appointed despite not managing in English football for years — takes charge against a Lincoln side on a 21-game unbeaten run. It is an almost impossibly difficult first assignment. Rotherham have the worst away record in the division and are six points from safety.
Stevenage vs Reading — the playoff decider: Reading moved into the top six with a 2-0 win at Burton, Kelvin Abatchman starring in Jack Marriott’s absence. They now go to Stevenage — fifth in the table, at home, with their own promotion ambitions very much intact. Whoever wins this goes into the international break with real momentum. One of the games of the season in League One.
League One Top Scorers
Top Scorers Heading into Gameweek 39
1.
Dominic Ballard (Leyton Orient)
21
2.
Kyle Wootton (Stockport County)
17
3=
Jayden Wareham (Exeter City)
16
3=
Jack Marriott (Reading)
16
5.
Ashley Fletcher (Blackpool)
15
Top Assists
Top Assist Providers
1.
Reyes Cleary (Barnsley)
12
2=
Lewis Wing (Reading)
11
2=
Ollie Tanner (Cardiff)
11
Match of the Week: Stevenage vs Reading
Saturday 21st March, 3:00pm
Reading arrive at the Lamex Stadium as a side transformed — 43 points from 24 games under Liam Richardson, six wins from their last 12 away from home after winning none of their first seven. They’ve just moved into the playoffs and carry real momentum, with Kelvin Abatchman stepping up impressively in Jack Marriott’s absence. Stevenage, meanwhile, are fifth and playing in front of their own fans with everything to play for. Both sides know this result could define whether they finish in the top six — it genuinely doesn’t get much bigger in League One right now.
Head to Head
Stevenage vs Reading
Last 5 league meetings
Stevenage1Wins
2Draws
Reading2Wins
Total Goals: 3 - 4
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
21 Mar 2026 2025-26
Stevenage
1 - 0
Reading
-
06 Nov 2025 2025-26
Reading
1 - 0
Stevenage
0.4 - 0.9
15 Mar 2025 2024-25
Reading
1 - 1
Stevenage
-
09 Nov 2024 2024-25
Stevenage
1 - 1
Reading
-
06 Feb 2024 2023-24
Stevenage
0 - 1
Reading
-
Recent Form Comparison
Team not found: Stevenage Reading
xG Trends
Stevenage - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Reading - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Goals by Period
Stevenage - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
46-60 mins
Most Vulnerable Period
61-75 mins
Reading - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
76-90+ mins
Most Vulnerable Period
61-75 mins
Historical Position at Matchday 39
Historical Position Comparison
Stevenage - Saturday 21st March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
6th
67
+1
-0.2
WDWWL
-
2024-25
13th
49
-5
+0.0
DLDLL
14th
2023-24
6th
64
+12
+0.0
DDLLW
9th
Historical Position Comparison
Reading - Saturday 21st March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
9th
62
+7
+1.8
LWDLL
-
2024-25
6th
65
+10
+0.0
DWDWW
7th
2023-24
15th
48
-2
+0.0
LWLLW
15th
Player to Watch
Kelvin Abatchman (Reading)
Kelvin Abatchman has stepped seamlessly into the void left by Jack Marriott’s absence, contributing 7 goals in 34 appearances across the season. His direct running and willingness to press high have given Reading an attacking outlet that keeps defences honest, and his performances during Reading’s surge into the top six have been integral to their momentum. At Stevenage — who press aggressively from the front — his ability to carry the ball in tight spaces and create chances under pressure will be the defining test of his season so far.
Kelvin Ehibhatiomhan
Reading • F • 2025-2026 Season
39 apps9 goals0 assists6.61 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Stevenage at home are formidable and not to be underestimated — their second-best defensive record in the division (37 conceded) makes them hard to break down. But Reading’s momentum is real and they’ve shown they can win away from home when it matters. We’re backing a Reading win, with Abatchman the man to watch in Marriott’s continued absence.
Prediction
Stevenage 1–2 Reading
One to Watch
Kelvin Abatchman
Key Battle
Abatchman vs Stevenage press
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers — Saturday, 3:00pm
The Opposition: Wycombe Wanderers arrive at Brisbane Road in fine fettle — they pulled off one of the results of the weekend just gone, beating Cardiff away from home to deal the leaders a second consecutive defeat. Michael Duff’s side are well-organised, difficult to break down, and carry a real threat on the counter. They’ve only lost eight games all season and have been one of the division’s more consistent performers.
Key Battle: Dom Ballard against Wycombe’s backline is the headline contest. Ballard has scored five in three games and is in the kind of form where containment looks near impossible — but Wycombe’s Connor Taylor was outstanding at Cardiff and will be his main obstacle.
What We Think: Orient have all the momentum here — four wins in their last five, back-to-back away wins, and a striker in the form of his life. Wycombe are a good side and will make it competitive, but Brisbane Road should be a fortress this week. We’re backing Orient to make it three wins in a row and edge further clear of trouble.
Head to Head
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe
Last 5 league meetings
Leyton Orient2Wins
1Draws
Wycombe2Wins
Total Goals: 4 - 7
Date
Home
Score
Away
xG
21 Mar 2026 2025-26
Leyton Orient
2 - 0
Wycombe
-
08 Nov 2025 2025-26
Wycombe
4 - 1
Leyton Orient
1.9 - 2.0
26 Apr 2025 2024-25
Leyton Orient
1 - 0
Wycombe
-
26 Oct 2024 2024-25
Wycombe
3 - 0
Leyton Orient
-
29 Dec 2023 2023-24
Leyton Orient
0 - 0
Wycombe
-
Recent Form Comparison
Form Comparison - Last 6 Games
#
Team
P
W
D
L
GF
GA
GD
Pts
Form
1
Wycombe
6
2
1
3
10
10
0
7
WLWLLD
2
Leyton Orient
6
1
3
2
4
4
0
6
WDDLLD
Leyton Orient - Recent Results
W2-0vs Wycombe (H)
D0-0vs Exeter City (A)
D0-0vs Wigan (A)
L1-2vs Huddersfield (H)
L1-2vs Lincoln (A)
D0-0vs Mansfield Town (H)
Wycombe - Recent Results
W2-0vs Cardiff (A)
L0-2vs Leyton Orient (A)
W4-0vs Port Vale (H)
L0-3vs Stockport County (A)
L1-2vs Bradford (H)
D3-3vs Huddersfield (A)
xG Trends
Leyton Orient - 10-Match Rolling xG 2025/2026
Rolling 10-match average | Green above red = Creating more than conceding
Wycombe - 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
Wycombe - Goals by Time Period 2025/2026
Best Scoring Period
76-90+ mins
Most Vulnerable Period
31-45 mins
Historical Position at Matchday 39
Historical Position Comparison
Leyton Orient - Saturday 21st March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
17th
51
-9
-4.6
DDLLD
-
2024-25
7th
62
+17
+0.0
LLWWW
6th
2023-24
11th
58
+0
+0.0
WLLDW
12th
Historical Position Comparison
Wycombe - Saturday 21st March 2026
Season
Pos
Pts
GD
xGD
Form
Final
2025-26(now)
11th
60
+12
+0.4
LWLLD
-
2024-25
2nd
77
+30
+0.0
DLWWW
5th
2023-24
12th
53
+2
+0.0
LWWWW
11th
2022-23
8th
62
+15
+0.0
LWLDD
9th
2021-22
8th
66
+17
+0.0
WWDDW
6th
Leyton Orient Recent Form
Leyton Orient - Recent League Form
DLLDDW
Player to Watch
Dominic Ballard — Leyton Orient
Dominic Ballard is having the season of his career. The on-loan Southampton striker has now hit 21 League One goals — four clear of the nearest challenger — including a stunning hat-trick in Tuesday’s 4-2 win at AFC Wimbledon. Five goals in his last three matches, 32 shots on target from 56 attempts, and a 7.08 average rating that ranks him among the division’s very best: Wycombe will have done their homework, but there is little evidence that anyone in League One has yet found a reliable way to stop him.
Dominic Ballard
Leyton Orient • F • 2025-2026 Season
37 apps22 goals4 assists6.96 avg rating
BTP Verdict
Orient’s recent form is the best it’s been all season and the timing is perfect. Dom Ballard is in sensational nick, the team is organised and grinding out results, and Richie Wellens has clearly found a system that works. We back the O’s to win this one and take a significant step towards confirmed League One safety.
Prediction
Orient 2–1 Wycombe
One to Watch
Dom Ballard
Key Battle
Ballard vs Wycombe backline
BTP Predictions — Gameweek 39
Our Predictions
Season record: 37/78 (47%)
Luton Town vs Stockport County
2–1
Cardiff City vs Blackpool
2–0
Wigan Athletic vs Exeter City
2–0
Port Vale vs Bolton Wanderers
0–2
Plymouth Argyle vs Huddersfield Town
2–1
Mansfield Town vs Northampton Town
2–1
Stevenage vs Reading
1–2
Lincoln City vs Rotherham United
2–0
Burton Albion vs Bradford City
1–1
Barnsley vs Doncaster Rovers
2–1
AFC Wimbledon vs Peterborough United
1–1
Leyton Orient vs Wycombe Wanderers
2–1
Final Thoughts
Gameweek 39 is one of the most consequential Saturdays of the League One season. The playoff places are shifting almost weekly, with Plymouth, Wycombe, Reading, Stevenage and Huddersfield all within striking distance of the final spots. For Orient, three points at home against a Wycombe side who just stunned Cardiff would be a statement of genuine survival intent — two more wins from their remaining eight games could well be enough to confirm their safety.
Best case for Leyton Orient: Orient win 2-1, Ballard inevitably on the scoresheet again, and the O’s move six points clear of the drop zone with a game in hand. The pressure lifts significantly — Richie Wellens’ side look genuinely safe.
Worst case: Wycombe, full of confidence after beating Cardiff and with nothing to lose on the road, take a point or steal all three. Orient’s gap to the bottom four shrinks back to nervous territory.
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 39 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.
Cardiff2nd
Blackpool19th
Luton10th
Stockport County5th
Wigan13th
Exeter City21st
Barnsley12th
Doncaster15th
Burton Albion18th
Bradford4th
AFC Wimbledon20th
Peterborough16th
Port Vale23rd
Bolton3rd
Plymouth8th
Huddersfield7th
Stevenage6th
Reading9th
Leyton Orient17th
Wycombe11th
Mansfield Town14th
Northampton24th
Lincoln1st
Rotherham22nd