“Not Over The Line Just Yet” – The Real EFL Pundits Predict Notts County Vs Colchester United

A win on Saturday would guarantee Colchester United’s safety with two games to spare but they do face a rather tricky test as they travel to Meadow Lane to face Notts County.

The U’s have given themselves a great chance of preserving their EFL status with back-to-back wins in their last two games against Crawley Town and Grimsby Town respectively and that would’ve given fans plenty of confidence.

It looks highly likely that they’ll be in the EFL next season, especially with Sutton United below them potentially needing to win both of their last two to give themselves any sort of chance of survival. Since the Cowley brother took charge of the club it’s potentially not gone quite as well as some fans would’ve thought but improvements have been seen and in turn some confidence can be taken into next season.

Notts County, on the other hand, only have pride to play for this season and are destined to finish in mid-table. Based off of pre-season expectations its been a rather disappointing season for the League Two newcomers and quite a large rebuild can be expected in the summer.

They’ll however want to finish the season strongly and perhaps carry a tiny bit of momentum into the summer, which would do manager Stuart Maynard’s position the world of good. Although they may not have anything to play for at this point, a good showing can still be expected, which could halt the confirmation of Colchester’s survival.

With that in mind, here’s how two of The Real EFL’s writing team see the game panning out…

Ivan Newsome

“It’s not been plain sailing by any means over the last few weeks for Colchester but it looks as if they’ve done enough to preserve their EFL status for another season. They’re not over the line just yet, something that Danny Cowley will no doubt be reiterating to his players in the dressing room.

“Notts County have been a complete enigma this season and no one knows what sort of performance they’re going to put out. Something is telling me they’ll be on a good day though, something that Colchester fans will hope is not the case.

“The U’s can secure safety if Sutton fail to pick up any points but they may well be sweating a touch later today and I think they may leave Nottingham empty handed.”

Notts County 3-2 Colchester United

Gary Hutchinson

“The season promised so much for Notts County, but has delivered very little. They’re erratic, they can’t defend, and they’re capable of thrashing sides, or being thrashed. You never quite know what is going to happen when the Magpies take to the field – they might stick three past promotion-hunting Walsall, or leak five at home .

As for Colchester, they’ll be a league club next season, and this could be the weekend that secures it. Danny Cowley has got the Lincoln band back together, including the player he always wanted to sign, Tom Hopper. They’re going to be tough to beat in their last couple of games, and then they’re going to be a decent outfit next season.

I think this could be a draw, something like 2-2, and I suspect that will be enough to end Sutton’s brave hopes of survival. Wouldn’t it be ironic if Ali Smith, Sutton’s hero last season, got a late leveller to send his old team down. It’s the sort of script football often writes.”

Notts County 2-2 Colchester United

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