League One: Final Day

The race to join Norwich in next season's Championship has gone to the final weekend, as five teams battle it out to take one promotion slot.

There's also relegation issues to be determined. Turls looks ahead to the final round of fixtures in League One.


Promotion:

.............................P....GD....PTS
1. Norwich.............45.....44.....95
2. Leeds................45.....32.....83
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3. Millwall..............45.....31.....82
4. Swindon.............45.....17.....82
5. Charlton.............45.....21.....81
6. Huddersfield.......45.....27.....80
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Leeds know promotion is in their hands going into the final day. A win over Bristol Rovers will assure the Elland Road club promotion.

If they slip up, Millwall and Swindon are ready to take advantage - a winner at the New Den would take 2nd.

A draw between the pair and a Leeds loss would open the door to Charlton - should the Addicks win at Oldham.

There's even a very narrow chance for Huddersfield. The Terriers must hope for Leeds to lose, a draw at the New Den, and Charlton not winning. Then, if they win and can achieve a five goal swing, they will be promoted.

Their game at Exeter is covered in the relegation fixture previews.



Leeds United vs. Bristol Rovers

Leeds should not be in this situation. They were 100 points clear at one point of the season and how they find themselves in this position, I'll never know.

They bottled winning the league but this is their chance to redeem themselves and at least gain automatic promotion. The Elland Road club won't be happy to be here but at least they've got easy opponents.

Bristol Rovers have nothing to play for while Leeds have it all to play for. Don't expect Rovers to roll over but they will be open.

Simon Grayson's boys should win this. However, don't be surprised to see them blow it. If Leeds get off to a bad start, expect the Elland Road faithful to turn on their team. I've seen it happen over less.

Turls' Prediction: Leeds United 2 Bristol Rovers 0

Millwall vs. Swindon Town

Millwall and Swindon will both go into this thinking they can finish second. By the end, they will have resigned themselves to the play-offs.

Millwall should win this but it will be a full-blooded affair with a lot to play for. It's a shame Leeds exist because this would have been a cracker of a final day encounter.

Turls' Prediction: Millwall 2 Swindon Town 1

Oldham Athletic vs. Charlton Athletic

Charlton can still finish in the top two and will guarantee home advantage in the second leg of the play-offs should they beat Oldham.

Charlton looked out of it earlier and have clawed themselves back pretty well. However, this should be one step too far and they will have to settle for a two-legged affair with Swindon in the play-offs.

Turls' Prediction: Oldham Athletic 1 Charlton Athletic 3

Relegation:

...............................P....GD....PTS
18. Gillingham............45...-13.....50
19. Hartlepool...........45.....-8.....49
20. Exeter................45...-13.....48
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21. Tranmere............45...-30.....48
22. Southend............45...-19.....43
23. Wycombe............45...-23.....42
24. Stockport............45...-57.....25


Tranmere currently occupy the fourth and final relegation place. They must rely on others to slip up if they're to survive though.

Exeter know a win over promotion-chasing Huddersfield guarantees them survival. If they don't they could go down if Tranmere better their result.

Hartlepool - having been deducted three points for fielding an ineligible player - are also in the relegation mix.

A win will definitely keep them up. A draw will suffice if Exeter don't win, and a loss would be good enough if one of Tranmere or Exeter fail to win.

Gillingham need only a point to stay up. If they fail to gain it, they will go down if both Tranmere and Exeter win their games and Hartlepool draw.




Brentford vs. Hartlepool United

Hartlepool are idiots. Fielding an ineligible player? Moronic.

This act of stupidity has landed them a three point deduction, meaning they will need a win to guarantee safety.

Unfortunately, I can't see them getting a win. Or a draw. I reckon they'll probably get a bit of dicking. Should stay up though.

Turls' Prediction: Brentford 3 Hartlepool United 0

Exeter City vs. Huddersfield Town

The Grecians will be glad that their fate is in their hands. Win and they are safe. Simple as that.

Problem is they are against a Huddersfield team who can mathematically still finish in the top two. Too many draws have cost Exeter this term but I can see them scraping a win here.

It will be tight though.

Turls' Prediction: Exeter City 1 Huddersfield Town 0

Stockport County vs. Tranmere Rovers

A battle of the deceased - Stockport - and the walking wounded - Tranmere. Will be an awful game. Tranmere know they need to better Exeter's result.

First off, they need to win. Sounds simple enough, but they will be playing a Stockport side who will be hoping to send their fans into the summer with a win to remember them by.

I reckon on any other day Tranmere would win this, but the nerves will get the better of them.

Turls' Prediction: Stockport County 1 Tranmere Rovers 1

Wycombe Wanderers vs. Gillingham

I loathe both of these clubs, so it would have been nice to see them both take a plunge. However, Gillingham will be safe simply because Tranmere are rubbish.

This will be a tight game which Wycombe should win - not because they are a good team but because Gillingham are rubbish away from home.

Turls' Prediction: Wycombe Wanderers 2 Gillingham 1