League One
Champions Lincoln can cap off season winning over Port Vale
The League One finale is set to deliver drama from top to bottom, title celebrations, a fierce playoff scramble, and a nail-biting relegation battle all colliding on the same afternoon.
With Lincoln City already confirmed as champions and Cardiff City also earning automatic promotion, the focus falls to the remaining playoff spots, and more pressingly, who will drop to League Two. All games kick off at 3pm on Saturday.
Predictions:
Wimbledon 1-1 Huddersfield
Barnsley 0-2 Stockport
Bolton 2-1 Luton
Exeter 1-2 Bradford
Leyton Orient 1-0 Burton
Mansfield 1-2 Cardiff
Northampton 1-2 Plymouth
Peterborough 2-1 Doncaster
Port Vale 0-3 Lincoln
Reading 1-1 Blackpool
Stevenage 1-1 Wigan
Wycombe 2-0 Rotherham
Barnsley vs Stockport – Saturday, 3:00pm
Barnsley – 12/5
Stockport 17/20
Draw – 29/10
Stockport need points to cement their playoff spot and arrive here as favourites for the tie. They have been one of the league’s most consistent performers in the latter stages of the season, and with the playoff dream still burning, the players should bring the intensity that this game demands.
Barnsley are another mid-table side with little at stake, and it has shown in recent weeks, with just one win in six they look like a team that has switched off. Stockport’s recent form and drive for a playoff spot should be enough for them to dismiss a mid-table team and secure a spot in the playoffs.
Bolton vs Luton – Saturday, 3:00pm
Bolton – 29/20
Luton – 29/20
Draw – 27/10
Bolton’s place in the playoff has already been confirmed, but Ivan Evatt’s side will be targeting a positive result to build some momentum ahead of the semi-finals. Meanwhile, this is a must-win for Luton, who need 3 points to enter the playoff conversation and are going well under the leadership of Jack Wilshire with 4 wins in their last 5 games.
Bolton may have the comfort of playing at home, but they shouldn’t expect to waltz through this match, both teams are locked at the horns at odds of 29/20, and it is difficult to separate the two. This promises to deliver.
Exeter vs Bradford – Saturday, 3:00pm
Exeter – 11/5
Bradford – 23/20
Draw – 23/10
The sharpest of edges runs through St James Park on Saturday. Exeter are relying on a win here and Leyton Orient to lose to preserve their League One Status. Meanwhile, a win for Bradford would cement them a place in playoffs and a loss would likely see their chances squandered.
The pressure of the occasion may work against the home side. Bradford will come here with calmer heads and less at stake, but also the quality to punish any nerves. If Exeter fall behind, the anxiety inside the stadium would become overwhelming.
Leyton Orient vs Burton – Saturday, 3:00pm
Leyton Orient – 3/4
Burton – 3/1
Draw – 5/2
Orient know that a win here all but seals their League One survival regardless of what happens elsewhere and with the stakes this high, Brisbane Road should be rocking. Burton are already safe and have little riding on this match, which may provide an awkward contest.
Leyton Orient look well placed to provide enough to secure their League One legacy and will be motivated to get the job done at home.
Mansfield vs Cardiff – Saturday, 3:00pm
Mansfield – 5/2
Cardiff – 17/20
Draw – 27/10
Mansfield have been able to freely enjoy this final run of fixtures after surviving another season and surpassing last year’s points tally of 54, sitting on 62 ahead of kick off on Saturday. The stags could finish the season as high as 9th place, depending on how Reading and Huddersfield fare elsewhere.
Cardiff arrive at the One Call Stadium on 91 points and automatic promotion back to the championship already guaranteed. The Welsh side haven’t lost in four games on the road, and with a squad full of confidence, they look well-equipped to end the season in style.
Prediction: Mansfield 1-2 Cardiff
Port Vale vs Lincoln City – Saturday, 3:00pm
Port Vale – 16/5
Lincoln – 7/10
Draw – 29/10
Lincoln arrive at Vale Park as champions, and they will head into the final game of a remarkable season that has seen them secure promotion to the Championship for the first time since 1961. A festive atmosphere is guaranteed, but Danny Cowley’s men will still want to end on a high.
Port Vale, by contrast, have had a miserable campaign, which has already confirmed their relegation to League Two alongside Rotherham and Northampton, and their bleak season shows no sign of a late reprieve.
Prediction: Port Vale 0-3 Lincoln
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at time of writing*
