The play-off and title race in League Two is as close as it has ever been going into the final match this Saturday.
Already promoted Cheltenham Town could still able to lose top spot in the league to Cambridge United, who sit just two points behind the Robins.
Exeter City and Salford City will battle it out in their respective matches in the hope of displacing Forest Green from the play-off spots on the final day.
Morecambe could also steal the final automatic promotion spot from Bolton but as always, results have to go your way.
What’s the situation?
Fans of Cheltenham Town would like to think that with automatic promotion to League One secured, the title would surely be theirs. But no. Realistically, Cambridge can still pip them to the top if they win their match and the Robins lose.
Away from the title talk, Bolton, despite being within three points of Cheltenham, have a much lower goal difference compared to Michael Duff’s side, so will be more focused on keeping their place in the automatic promotion spots.
Moving down the table, it’s a tight situation regarding the playoffs. Forest Green currently occupy the last remaining play off spot, with Exeter City and Salford City hot on their heels.
Essentially, a draw for Forest Green against Oldham Athletic isn’t likely to be enough to stay in the play offs if Exeter and Salford both win, so Jimmy Ball’s Rovers have their fate in their own hands.
Permutations
Cheltenham Town (1st): Will win League 2 with victory vs Oldham. Draw could still be enough to win league. A loss COUPLED with a Cambridge win vs Grimsby will see Robins finish second and Cambridge win league.
Cambridge United (2nd): WIN vs Grimsby guarantees automatic promotion. Can win league with victory vs Grimsby AND Cheltenham draw/lose vs Oldham
Bolton Wanderers (3rd): Win vs Crawley Town likely guarantees automatic promotion. Draw or loss COUPLED with Morecambe win vs Bradford will see Bolton drop into 4th and Morecambe automatically promoted.
Morecambe (4th): Can be automatically promoted with win vs Bradford AND Bolton/Cambridge drop points. Will finish 4th if they win as do Bolton and Cambridge.
Forest Green (7th): Play off spot secured if they beat Oldham. Will drop out of play off spots if they draw/lose AND Exeter/Salford win.
Exeter City (8th): Win vs Barrow and Forest Green drop points vs Oldham will see them finish in the playoffs, replacing Forest Green. Victory over Barrow AND Forest Green victory over Oldham will see them miss out on the playoffs.
Salford City (9th): Win vs Leyton Orient and Forest Green AND Exeter loss will see them finish in the playoffs. Will remain 9th if Forest green AND Exeter win.
