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The National League: The Run-In

 The National League: The Run-In


As April draws to a close, football fans look to the end of the season in the hope (or expectation) of achieving something special. Promotion, and the league title, are there for the taking. 

This season, no league is more intriguing than the National League - the fifth tier of English football.

A notoriously difficult league to escape, it only offers one automatic promotion place (for the champions) and one via the playoff route.

Let's take a look at the run-in for each side, and whether they could be potential members of the EFL next season.


1st: Torquay (played 35, 67 points)

Fixtures:

Aldershot (H)
Eastleigh (H)
Chesterfield (A)
Bromley (H)
Stockport (A)
Barnet (H)
Altrincham (A)

As of April 25th, Torquay are in top spot via goal difference. Their fixture list is far from straightforward, with three playoff hopefuls, a resurgent Barnet and an Eastleigh side who have already beaten Hartlepool and Sutton this season.

The Gulls have a game in hand on second-placed Hartlepool, but have played one game more than Sutton in third. Having already surrendered a lead at the top this season, and considering the difficulty of their upcoming games, it could be a case of deja vu.

Prediction: 3rd


2nd: Hartlepool (played 36, 67 points)


Fixtures:

Chesterfield (H)
Bromley (A)
Maidenhead (H)
Aldershot (A)
Sutton (A)
Weymouth (H)

Hartlepool are in fine form; unbeaten in 15 in the league, have won 11 of their last 12 at home (drawing the other) and are level on points with Torquay at the top.
They have played more games than the other clubs in the title race, meaning that their fate is out of their hands when it comes to the title. They will finish in the top 3 if they win all of their remaining games, which is easier said than done.
Bromley are in form, and Maidenhead have a habit of upsetting the title-chasing teams this season. However, the pivotal game is easily their penultimate one, away to Sutton. This could decide where the title goes if they are still in with a chance.
The fact they have played more games may go against them, but they could quite easily finish as champions; if they don't, then their momentum will see them become a genuine threat in the playoffs.

Prediction: 2nd


3rd: Sutton (played 34, 66 points)


Fixtures:

Barnet (H)
Aldershot (H)
Notts County (A)
Weymouth (H)
Woking (H)
Maidenhead (A)
Hartlepool (H)
Barnet (A)

The current favourites, by a very small margin. Sutton's fate is in their own hands: win their games, and they will be the title winners.
They must navigate a game at Meadow Lane against Notts County, a meeting with Aldershot (who play all of the top 3), and a tricky trip to Maidenhead, plus a mouthwatering clash with fellow contenders Hartlepool at home.
If they are in top spot come the final day meeting with Barnet, it is difficult to look past them seeing the job through. Any slip-ups, however, will open the door for Hartlepool, Torquay or Stockport to sneak past them.

Prediction: 1st


4th: Stockport (played 35, 62 points)


Fixtures:

King's Lynn (A)
Halifax (A)
Wealdstone (H)
Dagenham and Redbridge (H)
Torquay (H)
Woking (H)
Yeovil (A)

Stockport are the outside bet for the title. They are currently 5 points off top spot, having played the same amount of games as Torquay. They have a favourable run-in, with Torquay and fifth-placed Halifax the biggest concerns. A trip to Yeovil on the final day could be a banana skin.
Their biggest problem so far has been a lack of consistency; their longest winning run this season was 4 games, but that was back in October. Since then, they have failed to win more than 2 games in a row, which could cost them. They must sort this problem if they are to have any hope of taking the crown.

Prediction: 4th


Final Prediction:

1st: Sutton

2nd: Hartlepool

3rd: Torquay

4th: Stockport


There are still plenty of twists and turns to come, as this unpredictable season draws to its conclusion. Good luck to all of the teams involved, and let's hope for an exciting end to the title race.

Comments

  1. Mad Hatter27 April 2021 at 22:32

    Fair assumption Jack. Sutton are favourites, but 2nd 3rd and 4th is unpredictable. County havn't beat any of the top 3 sides only taking 1 point off Sutton and 1 off Hartlepool with Torquay still to come to Edgeley Park. I think more twists and turns before season ends.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dan the Sutton Man30 April 2021 at 07:16

    As a Sutton fan I hope your prediction comes true. Fair play for not being biased. It’s a massive bank holiday weekend as Chesterfield will have a saying playing u & Seagulls, we must win tomorrow against Aldershot as Notts County on Tues will be very challenging for us & our record on the BT cameras isn’t great, our form past month hasn’t been good but we r still punching above our weight & whatever happens it’s been a magnificent season against bigger ex league clubs 👏💛👍🏼😃

    ReplyDelete

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