The most chaotic League One season in recent history has almost come to an end. Everything remains unresolved going into the last two game-weeks and things are hotting up at either end of the table.
From a neutral perspective, it is has been a volatile and entertaining division to follow, though many supporters will be glad to see the back of it.
A Defining Weekend In League One
No Guarantees For Luton
Ordinarily, with 91 points Luton Town would have won the League One title by now. Such is the standard of League One, however, that four sides could mathematically finish in top spot.
The Hatters were within touching distance of going five points clear of Barnsley on Tuesday night, but they can not afford to celebrate just yet. A gutting 93rd-minute leveller from AFC Wimbledon full-back Steve Seddon has left Luton fans looking nervously over their shoulder.
With Burton Albion and Oxford United left to play, they should theoretically make it over the line. Losing out on automatic promotion would be exceedingly cruel, having been at the summit since the 26th January and breaking a string of records. In this division, however, anything is possible.
Sunderland Out For Revenge
A month on from the nail-biting Checkatrade Trophy final, Sunderland will need to avenge their defeat against Portsmouth in order to crank up the pressure on second-placed Barnsley.
This won’t be easy, though, as Pompey have won their last seven league games in a row. Jack Ross’ side, as their 5-4 loss to Coventry City demonstrated, lack such consistency.
Both sides have a game in hand on the Tykes and it is, quite simply, a must-win game. Portsmouth thought they had thrown away their automatic promotion bid, but their recent run of form has been scintillating.
Repeating their Wembley heroics over the Black Cats would apply serious pressure on Daniel Stendel’s men, who face two turbulent sides in Blackpool and Burton Albion. Neither side have anything to play for and, like Luton, should rebuff the menacing advances of Sunderland and Portsmouth.
At The Other End
The League One relegation scrap has caught the eye of football fans everywhere in recent weeks. At the end of March, the entirety of the bottom half was engaged in a scrappy dogfight with seven points separating 12th and 23rd. With two games to go, ten teams are still not mathematically immune from the drop.
Following their last-gasp draw against table-toppers Luton Town, 21st-placed AFC Wimbledon will be confident that they can triumph over Wycombe Wanderers. If so, they may climb out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.
Scunthorpe sit in 22nd place and haven’t tasted victory in seven games, but face bottom side Bradford City. After a 4-0 defeat to Charlton on Easter Monday, though, they won’t be in the best of spirits.
Southend United and Plymouth Argyle sit gasping desperately for air above the relegation zone with 47 points, one point above the Iron. With four defeats on the bounce and an inferior goal difference to Southend, the Pilgrims are more likely to be sucked into the bottom four.
Additionally, the Blues picked up their first win since January on Easter Monday and have lost just once since Kevin Bond took charge. They face Rochdale, who have veered clear of the drop lately with three wins from four games.
Plymouth, meanwhile, face an Accrington Stanley side who dispatched play-off hopefuls Doncaster Rovers on Tuesday night. Following that, a crucial, potentially all-determining match Scunthorpe on the final day.
Main Photo
Embed from Getty Images
