It’s the final weekend of games in League One and League Two and there are still promotion and relegation issues to be resolved in the final 90 minutes, with the play-off pictures still to be sorted. Here’s our guide to the most important games from the two divisions that could make or break a club’s season.
Steel City Battle for Automatic Promotion
The second promotion spot behind Charlton is between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United, and both face already-relegated teams on the final day. Wednesday, who hold a one-point advantage that ensures their fate is in their own hands, welcome Wycombe to Hillsborough and you would expect a promotion party come final whistle (Sheff Wed 2/9, draw 5/1, Wycombe 12/1 Match Betting).
United held the upper hand for most of the season, but it’s a long trip to face Exeter and Danny Wilson will hope to end with a win that means either they take advantage of an Owls slip, or go into the play-offs with some confidence (Exeter 9/2, draw 16/5, United 4/7 Match Betting).
The Play-Off Picture – 3 into 1 Doesn’t Fit
Stevenage are in pole position to get the one play-off spot remaining and a home win over Bury would set them up nicely (Stevenage 4/9, draw 10/1, Bury 6/1). Any slip-up could let Notts County – only behind on goal difference and who welcome Colchester to Meadow Lane – take advantage, while Carlisle in eighth are only a point behind and a win for them at Oldham, coupled with some help from elsewhere, could see them jump to seventh.
None of the three sides in contention are benefitting from easy matches on the final day, but Stevenage are without a win in four and it could be Notts County who seal that final play-off position as a draw could be enough (Notts County 8/13, draw 14/5, Colchester 9/2).
Triple Threat for League Two Automatic Promotion
Another three-way tussle exists down in League Two as Crawley Town (81 points), Torquay United (81) and Southend United (80) are battling to get that automatic spot behind Swindon and Shrewsbury.
Crawley boast a superior goal difference over Torquay and a win at Accrington (Stanley 9/2, draw 14/5, Crawley 8/13) should guarantee their spot, but they did go down 3-0 to struggling Hereford last time out. Torquay face that Hereford side at Edgar Street, with their opponents desperate to get the points as they look to leapfrog Barnet and save their football league skins.
Southend face already-relegated Macclesfield and would need help from elsewhere to get third spot, but it looks like Crawley’s to lose and Torquay’s to win.
One Play-Off Spot Up For Grabs
Crewe look on course to secure the final play-off spot going and victory at home to Aldershot would seal an extended campaign for them. Any mistakes and Oxford will be desperate to take advantage, as they travel to Port Vale boasting a superior goal difference.
The three-point gap Crewe have on Oxford means it’s in their hands and a point should be enough for them (Crewe 4/6, draw 11/4, Aldershot 4/1).
Who Will Drop Out of the Football League?
Perennial strugglers Barnet (Burton Albion 2/1, draw 5/2, Barnet 5/4) are battling with Hereford to avoid dropping out of the Football League and both have chosen the final weeks to find some form after dismal runs before that.
A 4-0 win at Underhill over AFC Wimbledon means Barnet hold a two-point advantage over the Bulls, who had won 3-0 at promotion-chasing Crawley. It seems to be an annual event that Barnet are fighting for their lives on the final day but they could benefit from the fact Hereford face a Torquay side looking for the points to get them the final automatic promotion spot.
The final fixtures normally throw up some surprises, but expect no shock as Barnet retain their League Two spot and Hereford to wave goodbye to the Football League.
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