The race for the League One Play-Offs looks like going right down to the wire, with all still to play for.
Five sides are in contention for fifth and sixth place, with Peterborough United’s spot in top six almost confirmed. Barnsley and Oxford United are in pole position, but Lincoln City in particular are the side to fear at present. The meeting between the U’s and the Imps on Tuesday evening could be the decider in terms of who nicks that all important sixth place.
Without further ado, let’s take a look at the run-in for the remaining sides in the race…
5th: Barnsley
P:42 GD:20 Pts:74
Final 4: Reading (H), Portsmouth (A), Blackpool (A), Northampton Town (H)
A little while ago Neil Collins’ outfit had an outside shot of a top two finish. But the Tykes are sleepwalking into the Play-Offs, and their spot in the top six isn’t yet confirmed. Their gap to Lincoln in seventh is six points, having played a game more, but their run in isn’t the easiest on paper.
Reading are at Oakwell this afternoon, having won away for only the fourth time in midweek at Bristol Rovers. Barnsley themselves make the trip south on Tuesday to what is sure to be a raucous Fratton Park against Portsmouth. The South Yorkshire side complete a long five days of travelling at Blackpool, before Northampton Town are the visitors for the final game of the regular season.
6th: Oxford United
P:42 GD:18 Pts:70
Final 4: Peterborough United (H), Lincoln City (H), Stevenage (H), Exeter City (A)
Over Easter, the U’s fell out of the top six, but they regained their Play-Off berth last Saturday with a second four nil win in succession. It may be an overused cliché, but Oxford’s next three games in the space of a week will decide their campaign.
The triple header of home games begins with Peterborough United, before a meeting with the two favourites for sixth against Lincoln City. The Sky Sports cameras are in town at Des Buckingham’s side play first next Friday against Stevenage. Steve Evans side may still be in the hunt for sixth by the time they travel to Oxfordshire. A final day in the south-west is in order against Exeter City, with the Grecians now safe in midtable following a real upturn in form.
7th: Lincoln City
P:42 GD:26 Pts:68
Final 4: Wigan Athletic (H), Oxford United (A), Cheltenham Town (A), Portsmouth (H)
The Imps are on the longest unbeaten streak in the division, as they continue their march from mid-table to the Play-Offs. While their goal tally has understandably dropped from the highs of mid-March, they continue to grind out results while far from their best in their last three.
Wigan Athletic are in Lincolnshire today, before 1000 Imps will travel with their season on the line at Oxford next Tuesday. Then Michael Skubala’s side hit the road, travelling back down to the South-East to face relegation-threatened Cheltenham on the penultimate weekend of the season. Portsmouth end the campaign at Sincil Bank, with the title likely wrapped up well in advance. Lincoln though could well be in need of points to keep their push for sixth spot going.
8th: Blackpool
P:43 GD:16 Pts:67
Final 3: Carlisle United (A), Barnsley (H), Reading (A)
Having taken seven points from nine, the Pools have raced back into contention for a top six berth. Their task though is made harder by the fact they only have three to play, and their remaining fixtures are tough on paper.
Tomorrow is a trip to the North-west to face already relegated Carlisle, who look a dangerous proposition now they have nothing to play for. Then Barnsley are the visitors to Bloomfield Road, before the season finishes at Reading where the Royals are a formidable opposition on their own patch.
9th: Stevenage
P:43 GD:11 Pts:67
Final 3: Burton Albion (H), Oxford United (A), Cheltenham Town (H)
Once upon a time, Boro were the side to beat in the race for the Play-Offs. Now they are outsiders in the race, three points behind Oxford having played a game more.
Two of their remaining three are against sides at the wrong end of the division. Firstly, Burton Albion and then Cheltenham Town in a fortnight. Inbetween, they face Oxford United under the lights, a game they have to win to have any chance of sixth spot, and that’s if Steve Evans side have picked up three points against the Brewers six days earlier.
