L1, L2, & Scottish Predictions > Apr 30th - May 2nd

[StevieDay1983]

[StevieDay1983]

The penultimate weekend of action in League 1 and League 2 is here. We also have a full Scottish Premiership schedule as that season begins to draw to a close. Plenty of promotion, play-off, and relegation matters to resolve yet.

In League 1, Hull are already promoted and will be looking to seal the title. Peterborough failed to secure promotion in midweek so get another chance here. The play-offs are wide open with everyone realistically down to MK Dons still in with a chance. Bristol Rovers and Swindon saw their relegations to League 2 confirmed already and they could be joined by Northampton and Rochdale. The only other two sides that could get dragged into it are Wigan and AFC Wimbledon.

In League 2, we all saw the return of Michael Duff's legendary promotion dance as Cheltenham secured their place in League 1 next season. Cambridge and Bolton could join them this weekend. A number of teams are in play-off contention including Morecambe, Tranmere, Newport County, Salford City, Forest Green Rovers, and Exeter. It's probably just too much of a stretch for Carlisle now due to their inferior goal difference. Grimsby were officially relegated in midweek and they should be joined by Southend who, quite frankly, need a miracle to stay up.

The Scottish Premiership still has a few games left to play and the only thing confirmed so far is that Rangers are champions and Celtic will finish 2nd. Hibernian have also booked their place in the Europa Conference League next season (congratulations @allyhibs! ) but can Aberdeen join them? Or will the door open for Livingston to pull off the most unlikely of daylight robberies? Hamilton's situation at the bottom is looking increasingly desperate and then you have to say that the second relegation spot is between Ross County and Kilmarnock.

Give us your predictions for these games down below! 

[StevieDay1983]

Swindon vs Ipswich

The League One drama is rife this weekend but, ironically, I'm choosing a more low key affair for my preview this week. It's an already-relegated Swindon versus a mid-table Ipswich in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon at the County Ground. Nothing to play for except pride realistically for these two sides now so is there value in backing the underdog home side to get something?

Swindon might be facing a return to League Two but this is now an opportunity for the club to build from the beginning again. The club has seen four managers in charge this season with Richie Wellens, Noel Hunt, John Sheridan, and now Tommy Wright all in the hot seat. It hasn't helped with the team in 23rd place and 8 points adrift from safety with 2 league games to play meaning their relegation is already confirmed. The Robins might have lost 6 of their last 7 league games but their last outing at home saw a 3-1 win over play-off contenders Portsmouth so you have to wonder if there's still some fight in the relegated dog yet.

Ipswich fans were given the gift they wanted when former Wigan manager Paul Cook was unveiled as their gaffer back on 2nd March. Unfortunately, Cook's project might take a bit more time than the back end of this season. The Tractor Boys have won just 2 of their 13 league games under his stewardship so far and it's now 6 league matches without a win. Perhaps even more worrying is the fact that the team haven't managed to score in any of those games. This poor run has seen the club drop out of play-off contention and into 12th place. The team is 7 points adrift of the play-offs with 3 league games to play but with so many teams ahead of them it seems almost impossible that they'll reach the top six now.

It's amazing what the relief of pressure from a confirmed relegation can do for a team. You can often find these clubs start playing with a feeling of liberation and they can suddenly become a dangerous proposition. Swindon showed how lethal they can be against Portsmouth in their last home game and with Ipswich really struggling lately it feels like the backing of Swindon actually becomes quite appealing.

Swindon Draw No Bet @ 2.34 with SBK

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.95 with Boylesports

[StevieDay1983]

Newport County vs Cheltenham

Ah, seeing as I was enjoying a pint of Budvar on the banks of the River Usk at The Pod last night just yards from where Newport County will play Cheltenham at Rodney Parade in a 3pm BST kick-off on Saturday afternoon it feels fitting that I should make my League Two preview of the week about this clash between the Welsh play-off hopefuls and the already promoted side from Gloucestershire.

Newport County have had a rollercoaster of a season so far. Automatic promotion was actually looking like a dream set to come true for the Exiles earlier in the season as their relentless style of play saw them storm to the upper echelons of the table. Unfortunately, the loan signings of Scott Twine and Brandon Cooper who had been so key in that early season form returned to their parent clubs and the team's form dropped. Manager Michael Flynn got busy in the transfer market again though and brought in the experienced heads of Nicky Maynard on loan and Joe Ledley on a free. Even though they've had limited first team action their experience around the changing room will have proved vital. It's no surprise then that the team is now up to 6th in the table and 2 points within the play-offs having lost just 1 of their last 7 league games and keeping three clean sheets in a row.

Cheltenham were given a lot of media coverage after their 1-1 draw with Carlisle in midweek sealed their spot in League One next season. Manager Michael Duff pulled off his humorous celebratory dance and the league rejoiced at the fact one of the nicest blokes in the Football League had led his beloved club to automatic promotion. The Robins are top of League Two and will all but seal the title if they win this game. However, they could also win the title if other results go their way. It's 1 loss from the last 7 league games for Cheltenham too and with the team conceding just 3 goals during that spell it's clear to see this game could well be a war of attrition.

I think one of the best things that could have happened for Newport County during the week was Cheltenham sealing promotion. There will no doubt have been a degree of celebrations had by the league leaders and you have to wonder how that will have impacted their preparations for this game. I think we have to be honest and say neither team would be disappointed with a draw here. A win would be ideal but they simply won't want to lose given their respective situations. The draw seems like a reasonable outcome to expect.

Draw @ 3.25 with Bet365

Total Goals Scored Under 2.5 @ 1.62 with SBK