The 2023/24 League One season will come to an end this weekend, but there are still two teams battling it out for the final automatic promotion place and four sides in the running for the play-offs, promising an explosive final day of the season.
Beginning with the battle at the top, despite Portsmouth being confirmed as league champions, there is still one automatic place left to join them next season – a battle between Derby County and Bolton Wanderers.
Meanwhile, Barnsley’s disappointing run of form has seen them part ways with their manager and now face a difficult battle to maintain fifth place, with Lincoln City, Blackpool and Oxford United all piling on the pressure.
Once that final whistle blows on Saturday, we will know which side has gained automatic promotion to the Championship and which two sides will be joining Peterborough United and either Derby or Bolton in the play-off places.
With that said, let’s begin by taking a look at the automatic promotion battle…
Who will finish second in League One?
Going into the final day of the season, Derby County occupy the final spot to automatically join Portsmouth in the Championship next season, whilst Bolton continues to pile on the pressure but faces a very unlikely battle to make it.
The Rams only need a point to confirm their place in the Championship and face an eye-catching home fixture against bottom-side Carlisle United, who have the worst away record in the entire division.
Meanwhile, Ian Evatt’s Bolton Wanderers travel to fourth-place Peterborough United, knowing they have to win big to come close to the Rams. A simple victory won’t be enough for Bolton and here’s why…
If Derby County somehow lose to Carlisle, Bolton Wanderers would need to win by at least three goals to overtake the Rams on goals scored. Therefore, if Derby lose 1-0, Bolton would need to win 4-0 against a very strong Posh side.
Prediction: Derby will beat Carlisle and confirm automatic promotion, whereas I can see Bolton being held by Posh.
The battle for the playoffs
However, the 2023/24 League One play-off race has taken another surprising turn this week after Barnsley parted company with manager Neill Collins following a disappointing run of form which has seen them come within touching distance of missing out on the top six altogether.
There are currently four teams competing for the two play-off places in League One, which are; Barnsley, Lincoln City, Oxford United and Blackpool.
Beginning with Barnsley, they are at home against Northampton Town but due to a drop in form, the club need to beat the Cobblers to guarantee their place in the top six. A draw won’t be enough if two of Lincoln, Oxford or Blackpool win this weekend.
The Imps have lost just one of their last 19 league games and have climbed from mid-table into sixth place and their place is in their own hands. Lincoln host league champions Portsmouth this weekend, knowing a victory will guarantee their play-off place in League One.
Des Buckingham’s Oxford United have slipped to seventh and don’t have their destiny in their hands anymore. The club are winless in their previous two matches and travel to an in-form Exeter City side who are unbeaten in their last nine league games. Oxford needs to better Lincoln’s result to finish in the top six, although a point will be enough if Blackpool don’t win and Barnsley lose.
Finally, Blackpool need a victory to have any chance of the top six due to their poorer goal difference in comparison to Lincoln and Oxford. Blackpool travel to Reading knowing they have to win, although they will be confident as they are unbeaten in their previous five matches.
Prediction: I think Lincoln City will finish inside the top six this weekend and will be joined by Oxford United. Barnsley may have the ‘new manager bounce’ but the amount of pressure is on another level and Northampton will also be desperate to finish the season well.
Readers, who do you think will finish inside the top six and who will miss out completely?