Relative to the other two EFL divisions, League One doesn’t have a lot riding on it on the final day. Nevertheless, there is an enticing battle for the final Play-Off spot. Additionally, the three sides that have already secured a place in the end-of-season competition will be aiming to gain home advantage for the second leg in less than a fortnight.
Battle For Sixth
Two teams locked on 75 points face an enthralling final day battle for sixth position. Leyton Orient appeared to have thrown away their chances, having been in the relegation picture back in October after taking only eight points from their opening eleven games. But twelve wins from fifteen looked good enough for a Play-Off place, until five successive defeats appeared to have derailed their campaign. Seven points was the deficit to those places back in the middle of March, but seven victories from nine have propelled them back into pole position ahead of the final day. Orient just need to equal Reading’s result when they travel to Huddersfield Town, unless there is an eight-goal swing in the Royals’ favour.
That means Reading need to better the O’s result, when Barnsley are the visitors a close to capacity Select Car Leasing Stadium. If not, they will agonisingly miss out, but it has been a remarkable campaign for Noel Hunt’s outfit regardless of their final day result. The Royals’ underdog tale is one of the best in the EFL this season. Facing ownership problems and with the future of the club still unclear, they have managed to remain within touching distance of the Play-Offs throughout 2025. Even the losses of Sam Smith (Wrexham) and manager Rubén Sellés to Hull City haven’t deterred them from continually upsetting the odds in the third tier.
Three Play-Off Places Filled
Stockport County, Wycombe Wanderers and Charlton Athletic are the confirmed sides in the Play-Offs, but the order in which they will finish is yet to be confirmed. The Chairboys host County on the final day, while Burton Albion are the visitors to The Valley. Only a win for the Addicks and victory for either side at Adams Park will see them finish fourth. The Hatters have the edge over Wycombe on goal difference, knowing only a loss will see them end the season below third place, unless they draw and Charlton thrash Burton.
What Has Been Confirmed?
Birmingham City are League One Champions. Having set a new EFL record points tally on Wednesday evening by beating Blackpool, the Blues will reach 111 points if they can defeat already-relegated Cambridge United on the final day. Additionally, they will break Doncaster Rovers’ 79-year record for most wins in a campaign, if they can notch their 34th success of the season by beating the U’s. Finally, the gap between themselves and second-place Wrexham stands at the joint-highest in English football since 1982, meaning they can set another record this afternoon if it increases beyond the current 19 points. The Red Dragons have also made history in the last seven days. By beating Charlton last Saturday, Phil Parkinson’s side became the first ever club in the top five tiers to achieve three successive promotions.
Shrewsbury Town were relegated from League One weeks ago. Cambridge United had given themselves half a chance before losing at Burton to join Salop in League Two. That result for the Brewers was imperative in keeping them up, achieving survival on Tuesday evening by gaining the point required against Wigan Athletic. In doing so, Bristol Rovers, who are winless in nine, and Crawley Town, winners in their past two, suffered the heartbreak of relegation without even playing.
