Ladbrokes SPFL: Our guide to the League 1 & 2 play-off picture
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It’s all up for grabs in the playoff race at the top end of both Ladbrokes League 1 and 2.
There’s still a battle down the far end of the third-tier as well, with three teams looking to confirm their safety on a dramatic final day of the season. Here’s a guide to what fans can expect at the climax of this campaign.
League 1
Ayr United have the possibility of clinching second spot, with the Honest Men two points ahead of Peterhead. A win over Airdrieonians at Somerset Park would do the trick, though any less and they could be caught by the Blue Toon.
Speaking of Peterhead, they’ve had a wobble recently, but they’ve got third spot wrapped up, and still have a chance to pip Ayr United. For that to happen, Ayr would have to drop points, while the Blue Toon win at Dunfermline.
Stranraer currently hold fourth place, which is the most hotly contested of the playoff positions. A win for over Cowdenbeath on Saturday would ensure the final play-off spot for the Blues.
Airdrieonians and Albion Rovers are both two points behind Stranraer, but with a superior goal-difference, either could leapfrog the Blues if they fail to beat the Fife club at Stair Park. If there is a Cowdenbeath win, this is set to be a straight shootout between the Diamonds and the Wee Rovers.
At the other end of the table, Stenhousemuir are the best placed of three sides looking to avoid the relegation play-off spot, with the Ochilview club on 40 points.
Brechin City are a point below, but with a better goal difference, and head to already-relegated Forfar on the back of three wins in four games.
The Glebe Park side are joined on 39 points by Cowdenbeath whose goal difference realistically means they must get a point more than either of the two teams above them, to finish the season this weekend.
League 2
Just the three promotion play-off places up for grabs in League 2, with four teams battling it out to firstly secure a post-season spot, and then to avoid the first round of games to reach League 1!
Queen’s Park can secure play-off football with a point against Annan, while victory at Galabank will see them automatically bypass the first tie in the race for promotion.
Elgin City, who also have 56 points to their name, are separated from Queen’s Park by pretty minimal goal-difference. They’ll need to better the Spiders result to sneak into second, but they have the easier game, at home to struggling Arbroath.
Clyde need to arrest their poor form at home to Stirling Albion, with a win required to secure their place. Win, though, and they’re guaranteed to be in the mix beyond this weekend.
Annan need to win against Queen’s Park. A win by two goals or more would secure their spot, but a single-goal win would mean that other results need to go the way of the Galabankies. The good news for Annan? They’ve beaten the Spiders 3-1 in the teams’ last two meetings.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
