We’ve looked at the fixtures this month for the serious promotion contenders and forecast all the results.
There are several games between teams currently in the top eight, but Posh look to have a decent set of fixtures with just one against a team currently in the top half of the table.
Here’s how I think the table will look at the end of February, in reverse order…..
5. 4TH - DERBY COUNTY
Current points: 56 (4th)...Games played: 29...Feb fixtures (6)...3 Charlton (A) D...10 Shrewsbury (H) W...13 Exeter (A) W...17 Stevenage (H) D...24 Barnsley (A) D...27 Charlton (H) W...Points gained: 12...Total points: 68 (4th)...SUMMARY: February could be a pivotal month for the Rams, especially if they can avoid defeat in a big game at Barnsley. Warne-ball continues to frustrate Derby fans though, while encouraging even the weakest of League One opponents. Former Posh player Nathanial Mendez-Laing (pictured) has been in great form. Photo: Michael Regan
6. 3RD - BOLTON WANDERERS
Current points: 57 (2nd)...Games played: 27...Feb fixtures (7)...3 Barnsley (H) D...6 Cambridge (A) W...10 Northampton (A) D...13 Wycombe (H) W...17 Charlton (H) W...24 Blackpool (A) L...27 Wigan (A) D...Points gained: 12...Total points: 69 (3rd)...SUMMARY: The Trotters are currently battling their way through a busy schedule and it could start to take its toll even though they’ve enjoyed some impressive January recruitment including ex-Posh favourite Nathanael Ogbeta (pictured). They are well placed for automatic promotion right now, but things might not look so good by the end of the month. Bolton have two tough Lancashire derbies away from home to end a tough seven-game February. Photo: David Lowndes
7. 2ND - PORTSMOUTH
Current points: 60 (1st)...Games played: 30...Feb fixtures (5)...3 Northampton (H) D...10 Carlisle (A) W...13 Cambridge (H) W...17 Reading (H) W...24 Charlton (A) D... Points gained: 11...Total points: 71 (2nd)...SUMMARY: A reasonably friendly looking set of fixtures for the current leaders, although they host a Cobblers team in pretty good form this Saturday. We’d expect them to stay unbeaten in February, but they could still drop important points. They might lose top spot because they have fewer games than their closest rivals. They've been on a strong January recruitment drive and Callum Lang (pictured, left) scored on his debut for Pompey at Oxford on Tuesday. Photo: Paul Harding
8. 1ST - POSH
Current points: 56 (3rd)...Games played: 28...Feb fixtures (6)...3 Wigan (H) W... 6 Exeter (A) W...10 Wycombe (A) D...13 Port Vale (H) W...17 Blackpool (H) W...24 Cambridge (A)...W...Points gained: 16...Total points: 72 (1st)...SUMMARY: Posh have just one game against a team in the top half of the table this month, at home to Blackpool who they thumped 4-2 at Bloomfield Road and who don’t tend to travel well. Dangers on the road abound though at Exeter, Wycombe and Cambridge, all fixtures Posh lost last season. Will Ricky-Jade Jones (pictured) score the goals that get Posh to the top? Photo: David Lowndes