We’re at the business end of the season and all three leagues in the EFL are gearing up for the play-offs – last chance for a few to put right earlier failings, unexpected opportunity for others who, in the case of League 2, scrambled into the top seven when it looked as though all hope was lost.
Of course, having reached the play-offs, fans are now expecting their teams to reach Wembley so they can have a day out – making the leap into the league above is almost a by-product! Mansfield Tow are the strong favourites to win the League 2 play-offs – but how much has defeat in that winners-takes-all final-day clash with the MK Dons taken out of them.
EFL League 2 Play-offs Current Best Odds
Mansfield Town 13/8
Forest Green Rovers and Tranmere Rovers 11/4
Newport County 9/2
(Odds correct at 6.15pm May 5)
MANSFIELD TOWN FORM
David Flitcroft’s team looked ‘nailed-on’ for automatic promotion all the way until their last three matches, which they lost. The manager now has a difficult task raising team morale for the play-offs against a Newport County side which has had a terrific season and have already shown themselves to be doughty cup fighters. The Stags undoubtedly have the quality to win the play-offs and they are more free-scoring than the other teams but confidence appears to have drained away and they have lost matches this season they should have won – the 13/8 with Betfred looks short enough.
FOREST GREEN ROVERS FORM
Forest Green were able to rest several players for their final match with Exeter City but still managed to take a point off the Devon side, who had to win. That’s been the story of their season as Mark Cooper’s side have been generally hard to beat. They beat play-off semi-final opponents Tranmere away from home recently so will be full of hope of making it through to Wembley. The novelty factor of being the only meat-free club in the EFL has worn off now and other teams are being forced to take Mark Copper’s side seriously, especially when highly-rated top scorer Christian Doidge is in the mood.
TRANMERE ROVERS FORM
Tranmere are about to start a third play-off campaign in a row. Mickey Mellon’s side couldn’t quite sustain a terrific run of form right through to the end of the season having given themselves too much to do for automatic promotion but the majority of their players are accustomed to having their season extended and will have plenty of support for the first leg of their semi-final and also the away leg. They have a prize asset in League 2’s top scorer James Norwood and plenty of experience in the shape of David Perkins and Connor Jennings so the general 11/4 is well worth considering.
NEWPORT COUNTY FORM
Newport County were only in the top seven in the final two weeks so a place in the play-offs is a bonus for Mike Flynn’s side. It’s not that long since the Welshmen were battling to hang on to their EFL status on the final day of the season and County arrive with some momentum having ended the regular season with a 10-game unbeaten run. Considering their budget, they have no doubt over-achieved this term but the manager should have a transfer kitty this summer following a splendid FA Cup run in which they beat both Leicester City and Middlesbrough. Rodney Parade is an intimidating place to visit when its full but there problems will come when they have to travel in the semi-finals and, should they qualify, the final.
