The League Two season is almost at an end, but which club is going to lift the League Two title at the end of the season and who could miss out on promotion altogether?

Closely looking at the table would suggest that there are still 11 sides in the running for promotion to League One, although there are a couple of sides who are close to joining the pile if their current run of form continues.

These sides are Bradford City and Tranmere Rovers who currently have a high form PPG (points per game) but face an uphill battle to reach the play-off picture.

To work out who is more likely to reach the playoffs, we will assess each of the 11 teams’ remaining matches, their expected points finish and more. I have covered one of these for the Championship relegation fight, which will be of interest to the clubs involved in this article.

Let’s begin with the current League Two leaders…

1st) Mansfield Town – 72 points

Nigel Clough’s Mansfield Town have been a constant force throughout the current League Two campaign, scoring in 89% of their matches this season and sitting four points clear at the top of the table, but who do they have left to play?

Remaining fixtures;

• Colchester United (H)
• Wrexham AFC (A)
• Accrington Stanley (H)
• Crawley Town (H)
• Forest Green Rovers (H)
• MK Dons (A)
• Gillingham (H)
• Barrow AFC (A)

Three of Mansfield’s eight remaining matches are against sides in the top six, which means their points advantage will work in their favour in what could be a very tough end to the season. The positive however is that the Stags have five home games left, with two of them coming against relegation-threatened teams.

What is their expected points finish?

Mansfield Town currently have a season PPG of 1.89, which unsurprisingly is the highest in the division, but their form PPG has dropped marginally to 1.88. Therefore, in their remaining eight games, Mansfield are expected to earn between 15.04 and 15.12 points, averaging out at 15.08 (rounded down to 15).

This means the club should finish the season on roughly 87 points, which would have secured a second-placed finish in the previous campaign.

2nd) Stockport County – 68 points

At one stage this season, Dave Challinor’s Stockport County had a significant lead at the top, but a run of poor form has seen several sides catch up to them, although the club do possess a game in hand over the current league leaders.

Remaining fixtures;

• MK Dons (H)
• Forest Green Rovers (A)
• AFC Wimbledon (H)
• Sutton United (A)
• Colchester United (A)
• Morecambe FC (H)
• Notts County (A)
• Accrington Stanley (H)
• Wrexham AFC (A)

Stockport’s schedule is extremely intriguing, with the side having to play the bottom three away from home, whilst also facing three of the current top seven, which in turn is likely to add to the pressure against the likes of Notts County and Morecambe knowing they are essentially ‘must-win’ games.

What is their expected points finish?

With nine matches left to play, Stockport’s current PPG sits at 1.84, which is slightly lower than Mansfield’s, but their form PPG decreases massively to 1.25. This means that from their remaining matches, the club are expected to earn between 11.25 and 16.56 points, averaging out at 13.9 (rounded up to 14).

This means that despite the extra match, Stockport County are expected to finish the campaign on 82 points, which would’ve seen them finish 4th in the division last season.

3rd) Wrexham AFC – 67 points

Phil Parkinson’s Wrexham have had a difficult few weeks, but still find themselves in a strong position heading into their final eight league games, but do they have what it takes to finish in the top three?

Remaining fixtures;

• Grimsby Town (A)
• Mansfield Town (H)
• Doncaster Rovers (A)
• Colchester United (A)
• Crawley Town (H)
• Forest Green Rovers (H)
• Crewe Alexandra (A)
• Stockport County (H)

The Welsh side have three of the top six themselves left to play, although they also have to play two of the bottom three which should allow them to build momentum heading into the final two matches of the campaign.

What is their expected points finish?

Similarly to Mansfield Town, Wrexham also have just eight games to go and have earned a season PPG of 1,76. This decreases to 1.50 based on their recent form, working out to between 12 and 14.08 expected points, averaging at 13.04 (rounded down to 13).

This will place the Welsh side on 80 points, which seems them below both Stockport and Mansfield Town. This points total would have placed the club fourth in the division last season.

4th) MK Dons – 67 points

Moving onto the division’s form side, Mike Williamson’s MK Dons have flown under the radar this season but are they about to jump towards the League Two title or is it too little too late for that specific piece of silverware?

Remaining fixtures;

• Stockport County (A)
• Walsall FC (H)
• Notts County (A)
• Forest Green Rovers (A)
• Mansfield Town (H)
• Harrogate Town (A)
• Sutton United (H)

Unlike the other entries, MK Dons have just seven league games left to play, meaning they have played two more than Stockport County. The club have two difficult matches against sides in the top seven but are also still scheduled to play the bottom two.

What is their expected points finish?

So far this season, MK Dons have accumulated a PPG of 1.72, which has increased to 2.00 based on the improvement of form over the last eight matches. This means the club are expected to earn between 12.04 and 14 points, averaging out at 13.02 (rounded down to 13).

Similarly to Wrexham, this will see MK Dons finish the League Two season on 80 points meaning the final automatic promotion place could go down to goal difference, which would mean that Mike Williamson’s side miss out.

5th) Crewe Alexandra – 64 points

Arguably League Two’s surprise package this season, Crewe Alexandra remains solely in the fight to secure a top-three finish but with just eight games to go, have they missed the promotion boat?

Remaining fixtures;

• AFC Wimbledon (H)
• Gillingham FC (A)
• Forest Green Rovers (H)
• Accrington Stanley (A)
• Morecambe FC (A)
• Grimsby Town (H)
• Wrexham AFC (H)
• Colchester United (A)

Analysing the club’s remaining games will reveal that they only face two of the top seven and have also got to play three of the bottom four, suggesting that they have the easiest schedule of the entire top six.

What is their expected points finish?

Crewe Alexandra’s current PPG so far this season is 1.68, but that has slightly dropped to 1.63 over the club’s last eight league games. This means the club are likely to earn between 13.04 and 13.44, averaging at 13.24 (rounded down to 13).

Unfortunately, this would only see Crewe Alexandra finish on 77 points, placing them fifth in last season’s table which means they have significant work to do if they want to achieve a top-three finish or a late title push.

6th) Barrow AFC – 61 points

Pete Wild’s Barrow have continued to overcome hurdles and doubters to compete for promotion once again, but is a place in the top three a step too far?

Remaining fixtures;

• Newport County (H)
• Grimsby Town (H)
• Morecambe FC (A)
• Swindon Town (H)
• Bradford City (H)
• Gillingham FC (A)
• Crawley Town (A)
• Doncaster Rovers (A)
• Mansfield Town (H)

Despite sitting six points behind the top three, Pete Wild’s side have nine matches left to play and fortunately, only one of them are in the top seven, giving the club the easiest schedule out of all the teams in the title race, but they have to take full advantage whilst they can.

What is their expected points finish?

Pete Wild’s side have earned a PPG of 1.65 so far this season, but that has dropped down to 1.38 based on their form over the last eight games. This should see the club earn between 12.42 and 14.85 points from their remains matches, averaging out at 13.635 (rounded up to 14).

Unfortunately, the club would only finish on 75 points and would miss out on the top three completely. Also, that points total could have seen them miss out on the top seven altogether based on last season’s totals.

7th) AFC Wimbledon – 57 points

Occupying the final play-off place is AFC Wimbledon, but do they have what it takes to secure a top-seven finish or are they at risk of missing out?

Remaining fixtures;

• Crewe Alexandra (A)
• Harrogate Town (H)
• Stockport County (A)
• Salford City (H)
• Swindon Town (A)
• Tranmere Rovers (A)
• Walsall FC (H)

The Dons have just seven matches left to play in League Two, but fortunately only face one of the realistic title challengers (Stockport), meaning a place in the top seven is still in their hands.

What is their expected points finish?

Currently, AFC Wimbledon have established a season PPG of 1.46, which has dropped narrowly to 1.38 based solely on their recent run of form. This means that the club are likely to earn between 9.66 and 10.22 points, averaging out at 9.94 (rounded up to ten).

This would see the club finish on 67 points, which is likely to see them miss out on the top seven altogether unless their form changes for the better.

8th) Walsall FC – 56 points

After a tricky start to the season, Walsall are back in contention for the League Two play-offs and are currently one of the division’s most in-form sides but will this make a difference?

Remaining fixtures;

• MK Dons (A)
• Salford City (H)
• Tranmere Rovers (A)
• Doncaster Rovers (A)
• Notts County (H)
• Swindon Town (H)
• Bradford City (H)
• AFC Wimbledon (A)

The Saddlers are due to face two of the top seven in their remaining eight games, which could see them continue their superb run of form and make a dash for the play-off places and increasing their chances of returning to the third tier.

What is their expected points total?

Currently, the football club have established a PPG of 1.47, although that has drastically improved to 2.13 over the past eight games. This means that the club are likely to earn between 11.76 and 17.04 points, averaging out at 14.4 points (rounded down to 14).

This means that the club could finish the League Two season on 70 points which would take them above AFC Wimbledon.

9th) Crawley Town – 56 points

Despite being everyone’s relegation candidates, Crawley Town have shocked the entire division and now find themselves within touching distance of a place in the play-off places in League Two.

Remaining fixtures;

• Tranmere Rovers (A)
• Doncaster Rovers (H)
• Newport County (A)
• Mansfield Town (A)
• Wrexham AFC (A)
• Colchester United (H)
• Barrow AFC (H)
• Sutton United (A)
• Grimsby Town (H)

Despite their impressive run of form, Crawley are still due to face four promotion contenders from their last nine games and have a difficult task on their hands if they want a top-seven finish in my opinion.

What is their expected points finish?

Over the campaign thus far, Crawley Town have developed a season PPG of 1.51, which has also increased to 2.13 over the past eight matches. This means that Crawley are expected to earn between 13.59 and 19.17 points, averaging at 16.38 (rounded down to 16).

This means that the club should finish the League Two season on 72 points and are likely to secure that final spot.

10th) Gillingham FC – 56 points

Gillingham have had a tricky season in League Two so far and have left themselves with work to do if they want to make a late dash for the final play-off place.

Remaining fixtures;

• Morecambe FC (A)
• Crewe Alexandra (H)
• Harrogate Town (A)
• Bradford City (A)
• Barrow AFC (H)
• Mansfield Town (A)
• Doncaster Rovers (H)

With just seven games to go, the pressure is well and truly on for the Gills, made tougher by having to face three of the current top seven before the season ends.

What is their expected points finish?

Gillingham have currently established a PPG of 1.44, but this has dropped rapidly to 1.13. Unfortunately, this means that the club are due to earn between 7.91 and 10.08 points, averaging at 8.995 (rounded up to 9).

This would give the club a final points total of 65 which will keep them in the fourth tier once again.

11th) Newport County – 55 points

Completing the list is fellow Welsh side Newport County, who have equally found form at the right time this season, but can they make the final jump?

Remaining fixtures;

• Barrow AFC (A)
• Colchester United (A)
• Crawley Town (H)
• Grimsby Town (A)
• Accrington Stanley (H)
• Tranmere Rovers (H)
• Salford City (H)
• Bradford City (A)

In terms of their remaining schedule, Barrow are the only side in the top seven that are left to face Newport which gives them a huge opportunity to continue their form and push for the final spot.

What is their expected points finish?

After earning a season PPG of 1.45 so far this season, their last few matches have seen that increase to 1.50. This means the Welsh side are expected to earn between 11.6 and 12 points, averaging at 11.8 (rounded up to 12).

This means that the club could finish the League Two season on a respectable 67 points, but I don’t think that will be enough to secure the top seven.

Based on PPG, who will go up?

Based on the season PPG, form PPG and average points, here’s how the League Two table could finish…

Who do I think will finish in the top seven?

Based on the factors I have discussed so far, Mansfield Town are nailed on to win League Two and it would be completely deserved. Stockport County needs to improve their form but I do think they will do enough to secure a top-three finish, although MK Dons are my dark-horses for third but it will go down to the final day when… Wrexham face Stockport.

In terms of the playoffs, the loser between MK Dons and Wrexham will join Barrow and Crewe, but I do have a gut feeling that Newport County will only get better over the next few weeks and I think they may sneak into the final spot.

Here are my official top seven predictions…

1. Mansfield Town (Champions)
2. Stockport County (Promoted)
3. MK Dons (Promoted)
4. Wrexham AFC (Promoted)
5. Crewe Alexandra
6. Barrow AFC
7. Newport County

In terms of the playoff picture, my scenario would see Wrexham face Newport County whilst Crewe Alexandra would take on Barrow. I think Wrexham’s quality will overcome Newport, allowing them to reach Wembley Stadium, whilst Crewe and Barrow could go either way but form would favour Crewe. In the final, I think Crewe would bring an excellent fight but I think Wrexham’s fans and quality will pull them through and into League One.

Who do you think will go up? Let us know on Twitter @LSMSportsNews or @CallumLSM.