We are down to the penultimate weekend of football in League Two, and its all to play for. Burton Albion are already promoted, with Shrewsbury and Wycombe in the automatic promotion places. Bury, Southend, Stevenage and Plymouth are the four sides in the playoffs, with Tranmere, Cheltenham and Hartlepool being the three sides fighting to avoid the drop. Here is your League Two Preview: April 25 edition.
Burton Albion vs Northampton Town
League leaders and League One competitors for next season, Burton Albion, welcome play-off hopefuls Northampton. The Brewers are unbeaten in ten league games, losing just twice in 28 games under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, but will be looking to consolidate top spot in the league. Meanwhile, the Cobblers find themselves four points off the playoffs, so they’ll be relying on other sides to drop points if they are to finish in the top seven.
Cheltenham Town vs Shrewsbury Town
What a game this could be at Whaddon Road this Saturday, when relegation threatened Cheltenham host automatic promotion hopefuls Shrewsbury. The Robins have won just once in their last ten games, but despite the poor run, they are just one point from safety. Shrewsbury are 2nd, and can confirm promotion with a win, so the Shrews will be looking to regain their place in League One.
Wycombe Wanderers vs Morecambe
Wycombe have let slip their comfortable gap above the playoffs, and are now only in the automatic promotion places on goal difference following Southend’s win on Tuesday night. Morecambe visit Adams Park on Saturday, with the Chairboys unbeaten in three games, but Bury and Southend are hot on their heals. Whilst for Morecambe, they have suffered back to back defeats, leaving them in 12th.
Southend United vs Luton Town
Southend have moved level on points with Wycombe following their victory at Bury on Tuesday night, missing out on that final automatic spot on goal difference. They welcome Luton to Roots Hall on Saturday, where the Shrimpers have kept a record 11 consecutive clean sheets. Luton had probably thought their play-off chances had gone following a horrendous run of form throughout March, but the Hatters seem to be finding their feet again with a convincing win last time out. They, like Southend, are only outside of their ambitions on goal difference.
Bury vs A.F.C Wimbledon
Bury missed the opportunity to move into the automatic promotion places on Tuesday night as they suffered a rare home defeat against play-off rivals Southend. The result sees the Shakers drop down to 4th, two points behind Wycombe and Southend. This Saturday, they’ll be looking to bounce back and keep the pressure on those sides above them. Wimbledon are the visitors, and have failed to win on the road in 11 games.
Stevenage vs Carlisle United
Carlisle are safe from relegation following last weeks win over play-off hopefuls Plymouth, but are up against another side in the playoffs this weekend. The Cumbrians travel to Stevenage, a side that are on a six game unbeaten run and sit relatively comfortably in the playoffs. Carlisle haven’t won away in three attempts, and will be looking to cause another upset.
Plymouth Argyle vs Tranmere Rovers
Plymouth suffered a significant setback in their play-off hopes last time out as they lost against Carlisle. Despite the result, the Pilgrims stay 7th, but only on goal difference. This weekend they welcome bottom club Tranmere to Home Park, where Plymouth are unbeaten in five. The Rovers are two points from safety and have suffered four successive defeats. Worse still for Tranmere, following last weeks home defeat by Oxford, manager Micky Adams has resigned from his position with just two games left of the season.
York City vs Newport County
Newport are relying on other sides to drop points as they push for a play-off finish. The Exiles poor run of four successive defeats has seen them slide out of the playoffs into 8th, three points behind Plymouth. As for the hosts York, they suffered their first defeat in seven games, form that has seen the Minstermen avoid relegation.
Hartlepool United vs Exeter City
Exeter, like Northampton and Newport, will be relying on other sides to drop points if they’re to reach the playoffs. The Grecians make the long journey north to strugglers Hartlepool, with Exeter having suffered three successive defeats following a run of eight games unbeaten. The Pools form is similar. Having gone five games unbeaten in March, they’ve now failed to win in in five, leaving them just one point above the drop.
Dagenham and Redbridge vs Accrington Stanley
Two sides in the lower end of mid-table meet at Victoria Road. Dagenham, who have been inconsistent of late, welcome Accrington who are currently unbeaten in five games. Stanley have however failed to win in six on the road, drawing their last four.
Oxford United vs Cambridge United
The battles of the U’s when Oxford welcome Cambridge to the Kassam Stadium. Both sides have made it safe on recent weeks, with Oxford recording a six game unbeaten run, and Cambridge winning twice in their last four games.
Mansfield Town vs Portsmouth
Mansfield Town have avoided relegation but have recorded just two wins in ten games, losing seven. Pompey travel to Field Mill having lost their last three games, two under caretaker boss Gary Waddock. Pompey have also failed to win on the road in six attempts.
