Welcome to the EFL Final Five. Last Word on Football’s look at the potential ups and downs in the Football League. It is now the business end of the season and teams are battling it out for every point available.
Today, we look at League One. Luton Town are currently in pole position at the top of the table. Their consistent form has seen them become title favourites. However, Barnsley and Sunderland, the latter having games in hand, will not give up on top spot.
With the top five pulling away from the rest, it appears there is only one play-off place up for grabs. Several clubs are eyeing this place. As for the relegation places, 12 teams are in danger of being relegated. Just 10 points separate 23rd-placed Rochdale and 12th-placed Oxford. Bradford City currently sit at the foot of the table. A poor run of form now could be catastrophic.
EFL Final Five
Luton Town: Title Favourites?
The Hatters are currently on the best unbeaten run in their history. Saturday’s draw with Blackpool made it 28 games unbeaten. Usually, a team battling for promotion will have a run of results where things have not gone to plan. However, Luton have been the exception to this. Their form this season has rightly seen them become title favourites.
When Nathan Jones departed for Stoke City earlier in the season, many predicted that the Hatters would fade away. Luton legend Mick Harford stepped in and has kept their promotion dreams alive and well.
Barnsley Stuttering
Second-placed Barnsley are struggling to find any consistency at present. Their defeat at Burton Albion made it just one win in five matches. The Tykes are now looking very nervously over their shoulder. This has not been a good time in the season to lose form. Both Sunderland and Portsmouth have games in hand. If they win those, Barnsley could find themselves in fourth place with an uphill task to regain an automatic promotion place.
Sunderland in Hot Pursuit
In contrast to Barnsley, Sunderland have hit a rich vein of form. Unbeaten since December, the Black Cats have won their last three league games. Saturday’s victory away at Rochdale put them level on points with Barnsley. They also have two games in hand. Win these and it won’t just be second place Sunderland will be hoping for come the end of the season, it will be the title.
Several Chase Play-offs
With the top five beginning to pull away, it appears that only one place could be left to fight for in the play-off positions. Doncaster Rovers currently occupy sixth position and have a five-point lead over seventh position. However, Peterborough United who are seventh, have a game in hand to close that gap. Blackpool, Coventry, Burton and Fleetwood are still in with a chance of claiming a spot in the playoffs.
12 Team Relegation Battle
Almost every team in League One has something still to play for. There is everything to play for at the top and especially in the relegation battle. 12 teams could still be relegated. With four relegation places, eight teams will survive; however, this could go down to the very last day.
Bradford City are currently bottom with 36 points. Rochdale are second bottom with 42 and then there are just 10 points to separate them and 12th placed Oxford United. A poor run of form for any team in this battle could see their fate sealed.
To read our EFL Final Five Championship edition, click here
To read our EFL Final Five League Two edition, click here
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