Championship: Middlesbrough v Portsmouth
It will be a case of reliving past glories at the Riverside Stadium this weekend as Middlesbrough take on Portsmouth.
Just two seasons ago the pair were together in the Premier League with Pompey fans looking back on a maiden appearance in the UEFA Cup and the Boro faithful accepting the fact that they were destined for relegation.
Fast forward to the present day and they face each other in a basement battle, with just two places and two points separating them. While the home side are looking for a return to the top league - after seeing their challenge fade away last season - the visitors are happy just to exist after so nearly going out of business.
Gordon Strachan will face a selection dilemma for the weekend clash as he looks to turn around the fortunes of the big-spenders. Australian striker Scott McDonald looks set to return to the squad to compete for places up-front with Leroy Lita and Kris Boyd. But Julio Arca is a major doubt for the game with a groin problem picked up in the 3-1 midweek defeat to Derby County.
Meanwhile, Pompey boss Steve Cotterill looks set to name an unchanged team for the trip to the North East. The Blues have picked up consecutive wins for the first time in two years, after thumping victories in their last two games against Leicester and Bristol City.
They are still to notch up any points on the road this term, losing all four games away from Fratton Park, but Cotterill will once again be able to call upon the services of veteran midfielder Richard Hughes who returns after suspension.
League One: Southampton v Bournemouth
Not many people would have predicted that these two would be lying where they are in the table as they meet in a South Coast derby at St Mary's Stadium.
The Saints - who were tipped by many to make a return to the Championship - have made a poor start to the campaign and currently in 17th place, just one point outside of the bottom four.
By contrast, newly-promoted Bournemouth have started excellently and find themselves occupying second spot in the League One table.
Nigel Adkins, who will only be taking charge of the home side for the fifth time this weekend, could give a debut to new loan signing Richard Chaplow, following his arrival from Preston.Adam Lallana, Aaron Martin and Jose Fonte are also pushing for recalls as they look for their first league win at St Mary's.
Cherries boss Eddie Howe, who rejected the chance to take the manager's position at Southampton before the appointment of Adkins, is set to stick with in-form duo Michael Symes and Josh McQuoid up-front.
League Two: Shrewsbury v Torquay
Two sides chasing promotion meet when Shrewbury take on Torquay on Saturday. The home side come into the game on the back of a 1-0 midweek defeat to league leaders Port Vale, but they are still unbeaten on their own patch.
Shrews boss Graham Turner expects striker Tom Bradshaw (knee) and defender Shane Cansdell-Sheriff (leg) to be fit for the weekend but Sean McAllister is doubtful with a hamstring injury.
Paul Buckle brings his Gulls side to Shropshire looking for a first win in five league outings. Buckle's men had topped the table early in the campaign but they have suffered a recent downturn in form.
Defender Mark Ellis is available for selection after recovering from injury but Damon Lathrope will be out for two weeks after sustaining ankle ligament damage in the midweek loss to Aldershot.
Source: DSG
