League One
Stockport v Leighton Orient: Stockport, coached by Dave Challinor, has risen to third place and is gaining some serious momentum, making them favorites for promotion. They’re on a hot streak, having won seven out of their last eight matches. There’s a really interesting blend of youth and experience in their team, including Ollie Norwood, a 34-year-old midfielder who’s really come into his own lately.
Interestingly, there’s a nine-point gap between them and Leighton Orient, but both teams have scored an identical number of goals. The difference lies in defense, where Orient has conceded six more goals. The O’s can draw confidence from a strong 4-1 win at Edgeley Park back in September, but they suffered a tough loss to Stockport at Brisbane Road earlier this year. It was thought that Louie Barry’s departure would hinder Stockport’s promotion chances, yet Isaac Olaf and Kyle Wooton have stepped up, really pushing the team forward.
It’s remarkable how far Orient has come considering they kicked off their season with four straight league losses; that was a rough start. They’ve maintained a practical style of play, supported by key players like goalkeeper Josh Keeley, forward Jamie Donley, and league top-scorer Charlie Kelman, all of whom are crucial to their six-game winning run.
Leighton Orient v Stockport, 12:30pm. Stockport v Leighton Orient, Wednesday at 8pm
Wycombe v Charlton: Richard Kohn, Wycombe’s primary goal scorer, has netted 18 goals this season, but he hasn’t found the net in the last eight games. It’s been a tough time for the team since they lost head coach Matt Bloomfield to Luton mid-season. Mike Dodds took over but has only managed to secure five points since then, and they’re falling behind after a disappointing run at Adams Park.
Under Dodds, Wycombe has struggled, with the team losing three consecutive matches against playoff contenders. Kohn sat out a recent defeat against Stockport due to fitness concerns, which didn’t help either.
On the flip side, Charlton has turned a corner, losing just once in their last eight games. Matt Godden has been impressive, scoring eight times in just ten matches. They say form and confidence are crucial in playoffs, and with coach Nathan Jones stabilizing the squad since February 2024, Charlton looks resilient. They may not be perfect, but they’re peaking at the right moment and can hold their own against teams that might have been more successful.
Wycombe v Charlton, Sun 6.30pm; Charlton v Wycombe, Thursday at 8pm
League 2
Notts County v AFC Wimbledon: This playoff matchup features some intriguing narratives. Notts County boasts strikers like David McGoldrick and Arasana Jatta, both of whom are league standouts, amassing 38 goals between them and aiming to rival Wimbledon’s solid defense, which has only allowed 35 goals throughout the season.
Johnny Jackson’s squad managed to get a win—their first in five matches—on the season’s final day, while Notts has struggled a bit lately, with just one win in their last six games. This could lead to a tense two-legged tie. The strength of Wimbledon’s defense may give them an edge over teams that want to dominate but have struggled to create chances in recent weeks. Notts edged their last league encounter at Meadow Lane, winning 1-0, although Wimbledon has secured strong results recently at home.
Notts County v AFC Wimbledon, 8pm. AFC Wimbledon v Notts County, Friday at 8pm
Chesterfield v Walsall: The league table can be deceiving, and Chesterfield has emerged as a favorite despite a rough patch earlier this season. Walsall was close to automatic promotion until a late goal by Antoni Sarcevic in the 96th minute took it away from them. Although they managed a win last weekend, they’ve only got three victories since mid-January.
One factor in their struggle has been Nathanrow’s departure, and manager Matt Sadler hasn’t been able to stabilize the ship, causing Walsall to drop to fourth place. They led the league after 25 games, sitting comfortably 23 points ahead of Chesterfield, but now Paul Cook’s side is looking promising, having lost just once in the last 13 matches. Plus, they have a former Walsall striker scoring in their last three games and seasoned midfielder John Fleck providing crucial experience through these challenging times.
Chesterfield v Walsall, Sun 3.30pm; Walsall v Chesterfield, 12:30pm
