Preview of a big weekend in League One

In League One the battles at both ends of the table will reach their climax on Sunday.

It certainly promises to be a action packed day which could result in a number of different scenarios!

The race for automatic promotion 

After Wigan sealed the League One title last weekend all eyes moved towards who will join them in the automatic promotion places.

Burton Albion grabbed a crucial last minute winner against play off chasing Gillingham last weekend to keep their firm hold on second place.

Meanwhile Walsall ensured that the race for promotion will go down to the final day after they easily dispatched of Fleetwood on Bank Holiday Monday.

With a three point gap and a goal difference deficit to make up the odds are certainly firmly stacked against Walsall but stranger things have certainly happened in football!

Burton will go into Sunday’s game at all but relegated Doncaster knowing that just a point will secure back to back promotions.

Nigel Clough’s side are unbeaten in their last four games and will be confident of getting a result at Doncaster, who had their fate essentially confirmed after a hugely disappointing loss at Crewe last weekend.

If Burton fall to a surprise defeat Walsall will have a chance to jump into the final automatic promotion place if they win at mid table Port Vale.

The Saddlers have only lost once in their last six games but will come up against a Port Vale side who came just short in their pursuit of a play off place.

The race for the play offs 

Arguably the most exciting duel in League One on Sunday is the three way battle for the final play off place between Barnsley, Scunthorpe and Gillingham.

Barnsley are currently holding off Scunthorpe by the smallest margin of goal difference, whilst Gillingham are just two points behind.

Lee Johnson’s side face the toughest game out of the three with a trip to champions Wigan. Although the title has already been wrapped up the Latics will be keen to lift the trophy in good spirits after securing a victory.

There is likely to be a carnival atmosphere at the DW Stadium which Barnsley will have to counter if they are to hold on to their place off position.

Johnson’s side have been League One’s form team in the second half of the season and are unbeaten in their last five league games. However they did fall to a disappointing draw at home to already relegated Colchester last weekend.

Scunthorpe have hit form at just the right time having won their last five league games.

Impressive victories against Burton, Peterbrough and Port Vale will give Graham Alexander hope that his side can record a victory at Sheffield United.

Nigel Atkins’ Sheffield side will be a difficult team to beat though and they will want to end the season on a high after suffering the disappointment of failing to make a concerted push for promotion this season.

The final team in the race for promotion is Gillingham.

Justin Edinburgh’s side lead the way near the top of the table for much of the season but have fallen completely off the pace in recent weeks and have failed to win a league game since March.

The Gills were unlucky to leave the Pirelli Stadium with nothing last weekend and will need to get a victory at home to Millwall tomorrow if they are to have any chance of making the play offs.

The battle to stay up 

Blackpool’s fate was all but sealed after they lost 4-0 at home to Wigan last weekend. Defeat left the Tangerines on the verge of back to back relegation and Neil McDonald’s side need a big change in fortunes if they are to catch Fleetwood on the final day.

Blackpool travel to Peterbrough on Sunday knowing that they have to win to have any chance of surviving.

They certainly face a formidable task as they have lost three of their last four games and will have to bounce back from a crushing home defeat last weekend.

Fleetwood meanwhile have survival in their own hands and will fancy their chances at home to already relegated Crewe.

Finally Doncaster could pull of the ultimate great escape if they win against Burton and somehow complete a 10 goal swing against Fleetwood…now that would be dramatic!