The Iron travel to undefeated Bristol City on Saturday, as Russ Wilcox’s side look to make it three successive wins in the space of a week.
Click here to see the latest team news.Last Saturday saw Scunthorpe’s first League victory of the season when Gary McSheffrey and Hakeeb Adelakun scored in a 2-1 victory over Walsall at Glanford Park.
They followed up that victory midweek when they beat Chesterfield 2-0 in the Johnstones Paint Trophy. Gary McSheffrey was once again on the score sheet and Sean McAllister scored his first goal for the Iron as they progressed to the second round of the competition.
Their opponents on Saturday, Bristol City, have made an impressive start to the season as they are yet to suffer defeat and sit third in League One with three wins and two draws.
Managed by Steve Cotterill, the Robins are looking to improve on last season’s League finish of 12th, a season which saw Cotterill guide them away from relegation, after taking over in December, when City were bottom of the table.
They’ve begun the season with wins over Sheffield United, Colchester United and, most recently, Sunday’s 2-1 success at Notts County.
They have also been involved in two draws, at home to Leyton Orient and away at Rochdale, which makes Bristol City one of only three unbeaten teams in the division.
The last time the Iron faced Bristol City was in the 2010/2011 season when both sides were in the Championship. City won both games that season 2-0 so Scunthorpe will be looking for revenge this season by completing the double over the Robins, this time in League One.
City are led up front by striker Aaron Wilbraham, who has already scored four goals in six games this season. The 34 year old has been instrumental in his sides storming start to the season but he will face a challenge breaking down the Iron’s rear-guard, who are boosted by their midweek clean sheet against Chesterfield.
In midfield, Elliott Wade boasts a tremendous amount of experience, which includes a season in the Premier League with Burnley in 2010. Wade will look to add to his solitary goal of the campaign but may struggle to get the better of the in form midfield that Scunthorpe possess, as both Gary McSheffrey and Sean McAllister come off the back of scoring midweek.
There’s no doubt that the Iron have the capability to cause City some problems with McSheffrey hoping to score in three successive games and striker Paddy Madden looking to improve on his two goals already this year.
The Football League’s main sponsor SkyBet have priced the Iron at 18/5, whilst the home side are overwhelming favourites at 8/11.
Despite the odds looking to be in Bristol City’s favour, Scunthorpe are now on a winning run, which Russ Wilcox and his side will look to keep going on Saturday at Ashton Gate.