Post by moonie on Jan 27, 2023 15:24:38 GMT
Another big day for league 2 tomorrow, and a best case scenario would see us leapfrog Northampton into the automatic places - and move within 7 points of second placed Stevenage, whose FA Cup adventure continues on Sunday. We could also close the gap on leaders Leyton Orient to 9 points if they continue their recent run of poor form (just 1 win in their last 6), with our game in hand on them coming on Tuesday night. A defeat for the blues could allow Salford to go level on points with us, though we currently enjoy a better goal difference so would be unlikely to drop a place. Some of the games could impact upon the chase at the top of the table:
Tranmere (15th) vs Leyton Orient (1st) - inconsistency plagued Rovers will be looking to get back in the playoff hunt with victory over an Orient side who have lost their way of late. Rovers are now 10 points behind us, whilst Orient still enjoy a 12 point cushion between them and us in 4th - though on recent form that gap starts to look a little more difficult for them to maintain. Home win, please!
Barrow (8th) vs Northampton (2nd) - Barrow will return to a playoff place should they win tomorrow. The visitors have won just 1 of their 5 games since their controversial victory over us at Sixfields, losing 3 in the process. They'll be desperate to get back to winning ways tomorrow, knowing that defeat would see us leapfrog them as long as we avoid the same fate at Spotland. Barrow currently sit 5 points behind us, and of course we play them on Tuesday night. I'm tempted to favour a draw here, but would begrudgingly settle for a Barrow victory.
Crawley (21st) vs Salford (5th) - Difficult to see anything other than a victory for the visitors against the soap opera that is Crawley Town. Salford have been in good form since we whooped them at their place, and are far from out of the promotion chase. Them dropping points would be an unlikely bonus.
Swindon (6th) vs Gillingham (23rd) - This may seem a foregone conclusion, but Gillingham are revitalised both on and off the pitch, and around 1,000 gills have already bought tickets for their trip to Swindon. Like most teams in the playoff hunt, Swindon have been far from consistent this year. They currently sit just 4 points behind us, so any result for Gillingham here would be a bonus for us.
Mansfield (9th) vs Doncaster (12th) - Mansfield are 6 points behind us, with Doncaster another 2 behind them. The Stags could move into the playoff places with victory, but only if other results go their way. Rovers will be looking to reward a sellout away end by moving above their hosts with a victory. A draw would possibly suit us best, but I'd be happy with an away win.
Wimbledon (13th) vs Stockport (10th) - a win for inform County could see them move up to 6th if results go their way, though the Dons would overtake them should the home side win. Neither side is out of the race yet, but Stockport's form suggests they are the bigger danger to us and those around us. I'd be very happy for them to drop points.
Elsewhere, Colchester travel to Hartlepool in a big game at the bottom of the table; and Harrogate host Sutton.
Tranmere (15th) vs Leyton Orient (1st) - inconsistency plagued Rovers will be looking to get back in the playoff hunt with victory over an Orient side who have lost their way of late. Rovers are now 10 points behind us, whilst Orient still enjoy a 12 point cushion between them and us in 4th - though on recent form that gap starts to look a little more difficult for them to maintain. Home win, please!
Barrow (8th) vs Northampton (2nd) - Barrow will return to a playoff place should they win tomorrow. The visitors have won just 1 of their 5 games since their controversial victory over us at Sixfields, losing 3 in the process. They'll be desperate to get back to winning ways tomorrow, knowing that defeat would see us leapfrog them as long as we avoid the same fate at Spotland. Barrow currently sit 5 points behind us, and of course we play them on Tuesday night. I'm tempted to favour a draw here, but would begrudgingly settle for a Barrow victory.
Crawley (21st) vs Salford (5th) - Difficult to see anything other than a victory for the visitors against the soap opera that is Crawley Town. Salford have been in good form since we whooped them at their place, and are far from out of the promotion chase. Them dropping points would be an unlikely bonus.
Swindon (6th) vs Gillingham (23rd) - This may seem a foregone conclusion, but Gillingham are revitalised both on and off the pitch, and around 1,000 gills have already bought tickets for their trip to Swindon. Like most teams in the playoff hunt, Swindon have been far from consistent this year. They currently sit just 4 points behind us, so any result for Gillingham here would be a bonus for us.
Mansfield (9th) vs Doncaster (12th) - Mansfield are 6 points behind us, with Doncaster another 2 behind them. The Stags could move into the playoff places with victory, but only if other results go their way. Rovers will be looking to reward a sellout away end by moving above their hosts with a victory. A draw would possibly suit us best, but I'd be happy with an away win.
Wimbledon (13th) vs Stockport (10th) - a win for inform County could see them move up to 6th if results go their way, though the Dons would overtake them should the home side win. Neither side is out of the race yet, but Stockport's form suggests they are the bigger danger to us and those around us. I'd be very happy for them to drop points.
Elsewhere, Colchester travel to Hartlepool in a big game at the bottom of the table; and Harrogate host Sutton.