Although Birmingham City are champions and Shrewsbury Town have been relegated, everything else in League One is still up for grabs with only two matchdays left.
Four Teams For Promotion?
Chris Davies’ Blues have sealed an immediate return to League One, setting their sights on the EFL points record after surpassing the 100 points mark last night by beating Stevenage. Below them, four sides still have a shot at finishing second.
Wrexham know that a win against Charlton Athletic in the teatime kick-off will be enough for promotion, if Wycombe Wanderers have dropped points against Leyton Orient. But it will be no easy feat for the Red Dragons, with Nathan Jones’ side bang in form after beating the Chairboys four-nil on a remarkable Easter Monday. Charlton know that only a win will take their fight down to the final day, with the same true for Stockport County, who host Lincoln City. But a Wrexham win at the Racecourse means the Hatters will have to settle for the Play-Offs, a remarkable achievement in its own right.
With Wycombe playing in the early kick-off, they know that three points in the capital will temporarily move them second, and guarantee the race goes down to the final day. Dave Challinor’s outfit are the only side in this battle to play at 3pm, requiring a favour from the Imps next weekend against Wrexham if Michael Skubala’s side are beaten at Edgeley Park tomorrow. That is because the Hatters travel to Wycombe on the final day, knowing that wins from their final two will see them finish above the Buckinghamshire side, depending on goal difference. Charlton require two victories for promotion, along with a helping hand elsewhere, as they face Burton Albion next Saturday.
Race For The Play-Offs
Only one Play-Off spot is up for grabs, and it looks like a fascinating battle. Bolton Wanderers are six points adrift, with a goal difference at least fourteen worse than the sides above them. Blackpool have a very slim shot by virtue of their game in hand against Birmingham City next week, with the Tangerines nine points adrift of sixth place with three games remaining.
Realistically, one of Leyton Orient or Reading will take the final spot, and only goal difference separates them. That means that it will head to the final day regardless of results on Saturday, with both playing in the lunchtime kick-off tomorrow. The Royals make the short trip to Bristol Rovers, in a game that will have ramifications at both ends of the table. Orient host Wycombe, with the O’s currently having a nine-goal advantage over their closest rivals.
Battle At The Bottom
Shrewsbury Town have been relegated and will be joined by Cambridge United if they don’t defeat Burton Albion this weekend. But the U’s could be down before they even play, if Bristol Rovers beat Reading in the lunchtime kick-off. Crawley Town will be relegated if either the Brewers or the Gas better their result, though their inferior goal difference to Burton will mean they are all but down if Gary Bowyer’s outfit match the Red Devils’ result.
Crucially, Burton have a game in hand on Tuesday evening that could confirm survival, depending on how results go at the weekend. Wigan Athletic are the midweek visitors to the Pirelli Stadium. Mansfield Town are the only other side involved in this relegation battle. The Stags may be safe before they play Birmingham on Sunday if Bristol Rovers fail to win. Regardless, if Nigel Clough’s side become the first team to win a league game at St. Andrew’s this term, they will confirm survival.
