Annan hitting form at the perfect time ahead of play-off engagement
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Since entering the Ladbrokes SPFL back in 2008, Annan Athletic have come close to promotion from League 2 on several occasions.
But with the Galabankies heading into the promotion play-offs in fine form, we think Jim Chapman’s men could finally be on the verge of securing League 1 football.
The Borders club may have finished six points below their semi-final opponents Forfar Athletic, but all the signs point towards Annan overcoming the Loons.
Chapman’s side breezed to a 4-2 win at Station Park on Saturday, ending Forfar’s hopes of automatic promotion. And the Angus club will likely struggle to pick themselves back up, following that defeat.
Not that it ended a run of good form…
While Annan have won three of their last four games, netting nine times in the last two, Forfar have enjoyed victory in just two of their past 13.
And the Loons have their work cut out stopping the Galabankies’ attacking threat. Marking one man is doable, but nine different players have scored for Annan during their last two games. Try keeping all of them quiet…
So, knocking out Forfar should be manageable. But what about the prospect of facing Montrose or Peterhead in the League 1 play-off Final?
First off, the Gable Endies. Annan have faced off against Stewart Petrie’s men eight times since the start of last season, winning four and drawing three. The last meeting ended 5-1 to the Galabankies, while they also won 3-2 at Links Park back in March.
Peterhead are more of an unknown quantity for Chapman and co, but the Blue Toon have taken just five points from their last seven away games, conceding four goals on two of those occasions. So they’re always susceptible on the road, and could fall foul of an Annan side with an impressive home record.
That points towards joy for the club from Dumfries and Galloway.
And they begin their quest by hosting Forfar on Wednesday night, with Annan well-priced for a first-leg victory at 31/20.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
