11 games take place this Saturday in League Two, with the top five sides all playing at home, along with the two bottom clubs. Home points could be crucial for clubs fighting for promotion and struggling to avoid relegation.
So it’s Valentines Day, and will the love blossom around clubs in the league or may we see some managerial divorces with their clubs if the result aren’t right?
League leaders Shrewsbury Town are the only side unbeaten at home all season, and they host a Wimbledon side that on Tuesday night extended their four game unbeaten run by holding then leaders Burton Albion to a goalless draw. The Shrews will be boyed on by their impressive turnaround on the road last time out, whilst the Dons will be hoping to hold the leaders for the second successive away game.
Burton have failed to capitalise on gaining top spot for the past few weeks now, but despite dropping the occasional point they are still very much the in form side. Unbeaten in 11, they host an Oxford United side that lost their first game in four following Tuesday nights defeat at Accrington. The U’s do however boast former Brewers winger Alex MacDonald in their squad following his move, and Michael Appleton will be hoping he and top scorer Danny Hylton can propel them further away from the relegation pack.
Wycombe lost their first game in 12 and their first home game since November following defeat to Plymouth on Tuesday. They host manager-less Newport County who picked up their first point on Tuesday following four successive defeats. The Chairboys will be looking to bounce back from their defeat and push the top two for automatic promotion, whilst the Exiles hope to remain in the playoffs.
Unbeaten in four has seen Southend lead the pile in the playoffs, and they host an Accrington side that claimed their first win following five successive defeats on Tuesday night. Southend have the best home defence in the league, concededing just five, whilst Accrington have one of the worst defences in the league, concededing just short of 50 goals.
After coming from two goals down to claim a draw against relegation threatened York on Tuesday, Luton Town host a Carlisle side that very nearly came close to claiming all thee points against Shrewsbury. Top scorer Mark Cullen will be looking to add to his 10 goals this season, whilst Carlisle will be hoping that striker Charlie Wyke can continue his impressive form infront of goal, as the Cumbrians sit close to the drop.
Following their impressive victory at Wycombe on Tuesday, Plymouth Argyle complete the sides in the playoffs, albeit on goal difference over Bury. They host a Cambridge side that haven’t won since mid-January when they thumped Newport County 4-0, whilst the Pilgrims will be looking to make it three wins on the bounce.
Bury have been pushed out of the playoffs on goal difference following their goalless draw away to Stevenage on Tuesday night, and they’re on the road again as they face a Cheltenham side that have won just once in 16 games. The Robins are now just one point above the drop in 22nd, and are yet to win at home since Paul Buckle took over.
Exeter are on the road, where they are unbeaten in three on their travels. Portsmouth are the hosts, unbeaten in their previous three games, drawing twice in that time. Despite this little run, they remain just five points from safety, with Exeter needing the points for different reasons as they look to close the gap on the play-off hopefuls.
Stevenage haven’t won in four and have slipped four points behind the playoffs as a result. They travel to bottom club Hartlepool who beat an in-form Northampton side on Tuesday, meaning they have now won three homes games in succession, the sort of form they’ll need if they want to avoid the drop.
Following their defeat to Hartlepool on Tuesday, Northampton have slipped to 13th, but are aware that if they show the form they already have this calender year with five successive victories, they can themselves push for the playoffs. Top scorer Marc Richards will be hoping to add to his 16 goals, with midfielder Lawson D’Ath also netting a few of late. They travel to a Mansfield side that lost their first game in three on Tuesday, but remain close to the relegation zone. Northampton have scored the most goals in the league, whilst Mansfield have one of the lowest home tallies of all the clubs, scoring just 15 at Field Mill.
The final game on Saturday is a key relegation battle between York City and Tranmere Rovers. The Minstermen have won only once at home all season, whilst the Rovers are looking for their first win in four. On loan Swansea striker Rory Donnelly will be hoping to continue his impressive form infront of goal, whilst York will be looking for new signing Emile Sinclair to add to his two goals since arriving at Bootham Crescent. York are one point from safety, whilst Tranmere themselves sit just two points from the drop.
There is one fixture taking place on Sunday also, with 11th placed Morecambe hosting a Dagenham side that haven’t lost in their last three games. Morecambe claimed their first victory of 2015 on Tuesday night, and will be hoping they can start to turn some draws into victories over the next couple of weeks. As for the Daggers, they need the points to push them further afield of the chasing relegation contenders.
Thank you for reading. Please take a moment to follow me on twitter –@LWOSdale89. Support LWOS by following us on Twitter – @LastWordOnSport and @LWOSworld – and “liking” our Facebook page.
Have you tuned into Last Word On Sports Radio? LWOS is pleased to bring you 24/7 sports radio to your PC, laptop, tablet or smartphone. What are you waiting for?
