Things are shaping up nicely (for the neutral) as we head into the final week of the League One season. At the summit, neither Wigan Athletic or Rotherham United are guaranteed an automatic spot. MK Dons, mathematically at least, can still get amongst the top two.
Both Wigan and Rotherham have tricky midweek away trips coming up. Wigan travel to Portsmouth on Tuesday night, while Rotherham head to Sunderland who are still not certain of a playoff spot themselves. If either, or both teams fail to secure a win, things could go down to the wire on the final day. Wigan, Rotherham and MK Dons are all away from home on the final day, although MK Dons have the toughest game – on paper.
Elsewhere, in the playoff hunt, four teams are competing for just three remaining spots. With Oxford United dropping out of the race last weekend following defeat at Rotherham, only Sheffield Wednesday remain capable of disrupting the top six. Wednesday have an away match at Fleetwood on Tuesday and maximum points at Highbury Stadium would see the Owls riding high in fifth position going into a home game with Portsmouth on the final day.
Wycombe Wanderers look vulnerable but do have points in the bag. If Wednesday slip up, ‘The Chairboys’ could secure themselves a playoff place by virtue of a final day victory away at mid-table Burton Albion.
Also at risk of missing out this season are Plymouth Argyle. Failure to overcome MK Dons at Home Park in their final game, could see The Pilgrims slip out of the top six completely, depending on how both Sheffield Wednesday and Wycombe perform in their final games.
Of the clubs currently in the top six, only Sunderland appear relatively sure of a playoff place. A difficult home game against Rotherham on Tuesday is followed by a final day away trip to Morecambe for Alex Neil’s squad. Three points from the two matches should see the ‘Black Cats’ comfortably into the playoffs.
With nothing certain, and everything to play for, the final week of the League One season looks set to be full of drama.