Why Bristol Rovers fans can be happy with their start…

Why Bristol Rovers fans can be happy with their start to the 2019/20 League One season

AFC Wimbledon have the toughest starts to the League One season - on paper at least.

The club’s opening six opponents had an average finishing position of 51.5 in the Englilsh football pyramid last season. That works out at 7.5 in League One and is the highest in the division

Oxford United have the next toughest start to the season. Their opening six matches - which takes us to the first international break - are against teams with an average finishing position of 9.0 last season.

Burton Albion have the next toughest start (9.3) followed by Gillingham (9.7), Ipswich (9.7), Tranmere (also 9.7) and Sunderland (9.8).

, however, they can be confident of getting off to a strong start with two home games against teams who were around them in the table last season: Wycombe Wanderers and Oxford United plus newly-promoted Tranmere.

Away days at Coventry, Blackpool and Burton - all top 10 sides from last term - are technically tougher fixtures, bringing Rovers' average down, but one of the Gas' strengths last term was their fantastic record outside the Mem.

Accrington Stanley have the division's easiest start to the season. Accy could get off to a flier, with their opening six matches being against teams who had an average finishing league position of 21.2 last season.

Rotherham have the next easiest start (19.0) followed by MK Dons (17.8) and Wycombe Wanderers (15.2).

The averages were worked out by taking every team's finishing position in the English football pyramid.

From 1st to 92nd for Premier League and EFL clubs and 93rd and 95th for the National League teams.These were then averaged out for the opening six opponents of every club.That average was then converted to its relevant position in the league.